Will your new home need structural timber?
When you decide to build a property, there are many decisions that you must make. The size and style of the property matter, but what you can't overlook is the structural integrity of the building. If what you build is not safe, you are endangering your family and placing yourself at risk of legal penalties. Whatever materials you pick for your new building must be strong, and you should be able to demonstrate that they have been certified as safe for use in the way you will be using them. Any timber that you want to employ in a load-bearing capacity must be approved structural timber.
Why consider timber anyway?
With so many choices available, you might be wondering why you should bother with structural timber anyway? Both steel and brick can indeed have their place in the structure of any building, but there are still plenty of reasons to use timber. Timber is one of the most versatile materials and allows you to create almost any property design you wish. A good timber merchant should be happy to cut any species of structural timber at any length that you need, opening up design possibilities that will let you build the home that you want. Structural timber is also a popular choice for house frames since it provides more room for natural insulation than materials such as brick. The increased insulation makes your home cheaper to run and more efficient, lowering your carbon footprint. Since structural timber comes from sustainable sources, it is a natural eco-friendly resource.
Has the timber been approved?
While all timber has a use, not all timber is structural timber and is suitable for load-bearing roles. Structural timber will have been tested or inspected and certified as being able to withstand a specified load. Every piece of structural timber has been graded according to clearly defined rules. It will either have passed through a grading machine or have passed a visual inspection before receiving a grade, letting you know how you can safely use that piece of timber.
How can you use structural timber?
There are many uses for structural timber in every house. Perhaps the most common use is as wall frames, but you could also use timber for joists, interior joinery, flooring and even decking or furniture. Whether you opt for redwood, pine, oak, or some other timber, the grading system can provide you with the confidence that your structural timber is the right choice for your building project.