Question 1

1. What is timber?

Accepted Answer

Timber refers to wood that’s been processed into beams, planks, or boards for construction, carpentry, joinery, and related uses.

Question 2

2. What is lumber?

Accepted Answer

Lumber is the North American term for what’s known in the UK as timber. Both refer to processed wood, but the term "lumber" is rarely used in UK trade except for imported goods or technical specs. Canadian Lumber Standard (CLS) timber, for example, is widely used in UK framing.

Question 3

3. What’s the difference between hardwood and softwood?

Accepted Answer

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees like oak or beech, which grow slowly and produce dense, strong wood. Softwood comes from conifers like pine or spruce, which grow faster and are generally lighter and easier to cut. The term refers to the species, not actual wood hardness. In construction, softwood is commonly used for structural work, while hardwood is reserved for finishing and high-load applications.

Types of hardwood used in UK construction:

Typical hardwoods for building projects include:

Oak
Ash
Beech
Sapele

Types of softwood used in UK construction:

Softwoods commonly used for UK building projects include pine, spruce, and fir. These are widely used for framing, internal partitions, and general-purpose timber supplies.

Question 4

4. What’s the difference between a carpenter and a joiner?

Accepted Answer

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they are different roles. A carpenter usually works on-site and deals with structural elements like floor joists, roof trusses, or timber frames. A joiner typically works off-site in a workshop, producing precision-made components such as staircases, doors, and fitted furniture. While both work with wood, their tools, environments, and focus areas are different. Some tradespeople do both.

Question 5

5. What is timber frame construction?

Accepted Answer

Timber frame construction uses a skeleton of load-bearing wooden studs and beams to support a building’s structure. Prefabricated panels are often assembled off-site, allowing for quick installation on-site. This method is commonly used in residential housing in the UK (although the external leaf is often still made of masonry) due to its efficiency, consistency, and lower environmental impact.

Compare timber supplies and prices

54mm FD60 Plywood Fire Door Blank 2135mm x 915mm (7' x 3')

18mm OSB 3 Board 2440mm x 1220mm (Pack of 51)

3.2mm x 600mm x 1220mm Hardboard

25mm x 50mm Treated Timber Batten (2x1) 3m

Forest Garden 6ft x 4ft (1.83m x 1.23m) Pressure Treated Vertical Board Fence Panel - Pack of 3

Sheathing Plywood 1220 x 2440 x 9mm

General Purpose Plywood 2440 x 1220 x 3.6mm

General Purpose Plywood 2440 x 1220 x 5.5mm

CaberMDF Pro Board 2440 x 1220 x 18mm FSC®

Smooth White Melamine Pre-Glued Edging Strip - 22mm x 50m

JCW Acoustic Deck 32 Flooring Board - 32mm x 600mm x 2400mm

Karma Overlay 23 Acoustic Floor Panel 2400mm x 600mm x 23mm

uPVC 200mm Soffit Board (10mm General Purpose) 5m - Light Oak

uPVC 225mm Soffit Board (10mm General Purpose) 5m - Light Oak

uPVC 200mm Soffit Board (10mm General Purpose) 5m - Leather Brown

New Treated Softwood Sleeper Brown 200 x 100 x 2400mm

New Treated Softwood Sleeper Green 250 x 125 x 2400mm

Marine Plywood BS1088 - 2440mm x 1220mm x 12mm

47mm x 100mm C24 Timber (4x2) 2.4m

12mm x 1220mm x 2440mm Marine Plywood - Pack of 75

Caberdek P5 FSC TG4 2400 x 600 x 22mm

Gyproc Plank Board TE 2400x600x19mm

Contemporary Vogue Panel 1.2m

69x94mm Planed All Round Softwood Timber

25mm X 175mm Planed Softwood PAR Timber (7'' X 1'') Finish 20.5mm X 169mm

25mm X 38mm Planed Softwood PAR Timber (1.5'' X 1'') Finish 20.5mm X 33mm

19mm X 50mm Planed Softwood PAR Timber (2'' X 0.75'') Finish 14.5mm X 44mm

Cheshire Angle Cushion Corner Moulding Pine 35x35x2400mm

22mm White Oak Iron On Edging Tape 50m

Preglued Edging Woodcoil Black Walnut 22mm x 50mtr

Bsw Green Treated UC3 Home Grown C16 Cls 50 x 100mm x 4.8m

Marlon Fsx 3mm Solid Polycarbonate Clear Sheet 1500 x 500mm

Marlon Fsx 3mm Solid Polycarbonate Clear Sheet 2000 x 500mm

10mm Clear Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheet - 4000 x 1050mm

10mm Clear Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheet - 2000 x 2100mm

Marlon Fsx 3mm Solid Polycarbonate Clear Sheet 1000 x 1000mm

Marlon Fsx 3mm Solid Polycarbonate Clear Sheet 1500 x 1000mm

Marlon Fsx 6mm Solid Polycarbonate Clear Sheet 1500 x 500mm

Marlon Fsx 6mm Solid Polycarbonate Clear Sheet 2000 x 500mm

10mm Bronze Multiwall Polycarbonate Sheet - 3000 x 1050mm