Characteristics and varieties of pine timber

The developer of his own home always faces a lot of questions. And one of them - the most relevant - what building materials to choose for the construction of walls, floors, rafters, partitions. I want the material to be affordable, versatile and have strength characteristics. Pine timber meets these requirements, and many builders give preference to it. Pine wood is readily available, distributed in all regions and has a low cost.

Pine timber is durable, its density is 500 kg per m3. Due to these characteristics, it is used in the arrangement of supporting structures. Pine timber has other properties that made it so popular.

• Ease of processing. Pine wood is loose, it is easy to grind and saw.
• High thermal insulation. A pine log house retains heat for a long time.
• Moisture resistance. The resins in the wood keep water out and prevent rot and mildew.
• Wood can be naturally dried, since it is resistant to cracking, does not warp and does not change its parameters.
• Less waste after processing pine due to the lack of knots.
• Wood absorbs various compounds wellthat provides protection against various pests.
• The material is durable. A house built of pine beams will last for many years.
• Environmental friendliness and aesthetics. Natural natural material with a beautifully expressed pattern always attracts attention.

Lumber from various tree species are presented on the construction market. These are pine, cedar, and spruce. And each type of wood has its supporters and opponents. You can compare the characteristics of the wood of these tree species and decide which is better, what to give preference to.

Pine, cedar and spruce have much more in common than differences. Some unscrupulous manufacturers even sell timber from these tree species together and at the same price, trying to pass off cheaper timber as expensive. But masters of their craft can easily find the differences between cedar, spruce and pine. The wood of these trees differs in:

• environmental friendliness;
• practicality;
• heat saving;
• durability;
• color;
• smell;
• weight.

Pine wood has bactericidal properties. The scent of pine needles soothes and gives pleasure, gives strength and energizes. The color of the pine log is light gray, it may fade over time. Spruce has a structure and quality of wood similar to pine, it is distinguished by its lower resin content and a lighter shade, almost white. Spruce has higher knotiness, but small knots. Spruce wood is difficult to process due to the large number of hard knots.

Since pine has a higher density than spruce, it has high wear resistance and resistance to physical stress. Therefore, it is better to choose pine for building a house. It is more resistant to natural factors. And it is more expedient to use spruce for interior work, white wood products will look aesthetically pleasing. Both pine and spruce have high thermal insulation properties.

Cedar wood releases phytoncides, has a positive effect on well-being and is a natural antiseptic.A pleasant aroma, reminiscent of the smell of pine nuts, and clean air will create a wonderful atmosphere in the house. Cedar is resistant to damage, moisture and insects, practical and durable. It is easy to process and has a plastic structure.

The color shades of cedar are very beautiful - from amber to dark coffee. The color does not lose its saturation over time. By weight, cedar wood is lighter than pine, and the structure is smoother and more uniform. Cedar timber creates an effective microclimate due to high air permeability, so in summer it is cool in such a house and warm in winter.

Pine timber is divided into several categories.

• Whole - this is a bar sawn from all 4 sides. Can be rectangular or square. It finds application in the construction of walls, partitions and installation of the truss system. It is considered multifunctional, it is easy to work with it even for a not very experienced builder.

• Profiled - has clear geometric parameters, it contains spikes, grooves, cuts for easier laying of timber. This timber is the most expensive, but its use in construction is a real pleasure.

• Glued - laborious to manufacture, but the most durable and popular. The material is perfectly dry, no additional sanding is required. The exterior of the building is very attractive. When purchasing such a bar, it is necessary to take into account what compounds it is glued with so that this does not negatively affect health.

The length of the timber can be changed depending on the needs during construction, but when choosing the size of the section, you need to think over all the nuances. The classic length for a solid bar is 6 m, and the range can be from 2 to 9 meters. The length of the prefabricated timber structure reaches 18 m. The standard sizes of square beams are as follows:

• 30x30 and 50x50 mm - called a semi-beam;
• 80x80 mm;
• 100x100 mm;
• 120x120 mm;
• 150x150 mm is the most preferred size, with such a thickness, the house has increased heat and sound insulation.

Standard sizes of rectangular bar:

• 50x100 mm;
• 100x150 mm;
• 200x250 mm - a timber with this size is difficult to use, as it increases the load on the foundation.

A square beam is often used for assembling building boxes, and a rectangular one for truss systems. For walls and supporting structures, it is necessary to use a bar of a larger section, and for finishing and floors - a smaller one. The timber can be normal, natural moisture or dry. It should be borne in mind that pine timber weighs differently depending on humidity:

• dry (humidity 10-18%) weighs 500 kg per 1 cu. m;
• wet (humidity 24-45%) weighs 600 kg per 1 cubic meter. m.

In conditions of natural humidity, the timber does not change its size and weight.

Pine timber has been used for the construction of houses for many centuries. It is easy to work with such a bar, construction is fast and efficient. It should be borne in mind that it is impossible to build baths from pine wood, since it emits resin when heated to high temperatures. In addition to building houses, pine timber is used for:

• installation of interior ceilings, floors, roofs;
• manufacture of joinery, windows and doors;
• interior decoration, making decor with carved elements;
• making furniture;
• manufacture of parts for the construction of bridges, railway sleepers, plywood and other wooden products.