Modern range of wood-based materials is characterized by an extensive selection, which often makes it difficult to determine the quality. Despite the fact that the accompanying documentation displays basic information and characteristics, do not forget about the recommendations of professionals involved in the sale of wood. Before buying, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with possible defects that have a direct impact on the cost and properties of the material, as well as with the processing methods and structural features that wood has. Varieties, breeds, as well as growing conditions are key aspects of choosing a quality material and the best option for its use.
Features
Lumber, like any other materials for construction, is classified by grade. This parameter depends on the quality of wood processing and its characteristics. To determine the type requires a special tool, so this is most often done by professionals. In any case, special attention must be paidthe appearance of the purchased product to determine the quality and purpose.
Wood: Grade 1
Varieties are designated by numbers from one to five. The exception is a selected grade of wood, the GOST of which has a stricter framework regarding the quality of this material. It is used in shipbuilding and does not have the slightest defect.
Small cracks, knots and splits may be present on premium blanks. In this case, there should be no dark spots, traces of parasites, rotting, fungus and mold. As an example, you can use an edged board - it should be dry, without dead particles, longitudinal through cracks and noticeable damage. There should be no core, roll, and the overall slope of the fibers can be within 5%. Such products are distinguished by the absence of flaws and attractive appearance. They are used in finishing, exterior, interior work and in the construction of load-bearing elements.
Wood: Grade 2
This material, unlike the first, may have a large number of flaws. It may contain cracks with a length of not more than a third of the entire product. At the same time, the parameters of their width and depth remain at the same level. Perhaps the presence of one large trace of parasites or several small ones. The first and second grades of wood have minimal differences, so the latter option has become the most common in outdoor work.
Varieties 3, 4, 5
The third grade of lumber is designed for decking, sheathing and transferssmall loads. Almost all kinds of defects can be present on it, including traces of wormholes, rot, dark spots and mold. Perhaps the presence of deep cracks with a length of not more than the entire length of the product.
The fourth grade is used when sawing into small pieces, erecting elements under minimal load, as well as for the manufacture of containers and packaging. The main requirement of GOST is the integrity of the elements, while any surface defects and the entire structure may be present.
The fifth grade has the lowest quality. It is not intended for sheathing, furniture making and other works. Most often used for lighting fireplaces and stoves.
All types have different costs and are used in certain areas of activity. Knowing the types of wood, you can not only choose the right material with the necessary characteristics, but also save the budget, since in some cases they can replace each other.
Needles
Wood has a resinous, tart smell and a clearer structure. Cedar, fir and pine have gained the greatest distribution; they are used both in the production of various items and in the construction of houses and other objects. The leading place is occupied by pine, it can have a different shade, which does not depend on the quality of processing.
Among the advantages it is worth noting lightness, strength, resistance to negative weather conditions and decay processes due to the high content of resins. She is loosestructure providing high adhesion with paints and varnishes.
Spruce is in second place in popularity. It does not have such an extensive list of advantages as pine, it is more difficult to process due to its denser structure and many knots. Due to the minimum resin content, spruce products have an average degree of resistance to precipitation and decay.
Softwood varieties are classified in the same way as hardwoods, their quality standards are determined by GOST 24454-80. It is worth noting that in addition to the numerical designation, you can often find markings in the form of letters from A to E. This must be taken into account when buying a material so as not to make a mistake with the choice.
Hardwood
Products obtained from deciduous trees are the most widespread and have a minimal, almost imperceptible smell, which becomes noticeable only during processing and sawing. Hardwoods (such as oak, ash and birch) are indispensable in the production of furniture and flooring. Each of them has its own characteristics. For example, oak has high strength properties and resistance to decay. The solid structure allows you to create the finest patterns on the surface, use it to create fasteners and curved elements.
Aspen, linden and alder are soft woods. This variety is common in construction and is available in the form of profiles, lining, logs and timber. Soft wood has a lower degree of density in terms ofcompared to a wooden counterpart and must be treated with special protective compounds to prevent decay.
Defects
Flaws are traces of mechanical damage that occurred during processing and transportation. The inclination of the fibers often appears after separation from the longitudinal axis. There is often a curvature next to the knots, which can be through, due to which the quality of the material deteriorates.
The quality of wood is affected not only by the breed, but also by the growing conditions (temperature, humidity). Material of the same grade, cut down in different regions, may have slight differences in hardness. This parameter is measured on a special scale, where the hardness of oak is taken as the starting point.
The strength of products reflects resistance to mechanical damage and varies depending on the presence of defects, humidity and rock. Tensile strength refers to the stress that breaks the integrity of the material.
How to choose
It is recommended that you inspect the materials yourself before purchasing. Remote ordering is possible only from reputable suppliers. Before heading to the warehouse, it is worth taking a planer with you, with which you can quickly clean dirty areas to check the quality of layers and color.
Of particular importance is the inspection for the presence of fibers, uneven layers, knots and cracks. On the quality and the possibility of further usewood drying effect. In case of illiterate execution, cracking, violation of geometry and resizing are possible.
What to look out for
Most suppliers have softwoods available in softwoods such as pine, fir, spruce and others. As a rule, this material is sold in the form of elements with standard dimensions. In this case, one or more surfaces can be processed. This must be taken into account, since after planing the dimensions of the parts are reduced by a few millimeters, and the actual parameters will be different from the data indicated by the sellers.
Softwood is graded according to the presence of minimal defects (small cracks, knots) and the uniformity of the layers. This classification is suitable for the choice of lining and other finishing materials. For the manufacture of furniture and carpentry, high-quality options with an impeccable appearance are required. High strength is required in the formation of structures, materials suitable for this purpose are not usually found in the construction markets, as they are made to order.
Before buying, you need to make sure that there are certificates and documentation for the products. It is worth noting that not all types of wood must pass through mandatory certification, but most manufacturers are trying to draw up all products sold in the proper form.
