Timber Suppliers Perth
Wood has been a choice building material for thousands of years. Aside from its durability and strength, wood has good insulation properties. So, if you're planning to have a naturally energy-efficient home, it’s likely you’ll be needing some wood from timber suppliers in Perth.
The best timber suppliers in Perth would have a wide range of timber products and even offer fabrication services. So, whether you need structural timber, veneers, laminated panels or something else, make a list of the timber you need to start your building project.
Product Information
Wood is a lightweight, natural and eco-friendly building material that has high tensile strength. It can even outperform steel in terms of breaking or self-support length. Wood can efficiently support its own weight, making it an excellent choice for houses with larger open spaces since it allows fewer supports.
Timber is also naturally resistant to electrical conduction and at the right dimensions, may not be affected by heat significantly. It also has ideal acoustic properties as it can absorb sound and minimise echo in houses or workspaces.
Wood has a superior insulation rating compared to plastic and steel – something attributed largely to its natural cellular structure. This is why buildings made of wood need less energy for both heating and cooling. It also comes in a wide range of aesthetically pleasing grains, colours and textures.
Different Types of Timber
When it comes to timber, there are two general types: hardwood and softwood.
However, don't be misled by these names as almost 80% of the world's timber comes from softwood species. The main difference between the two types is that hardwood is sourced from angiosperms or flowering trees, whilst softwood originates from gymnosperms or seed-bearing trees.
Among Australian hardwoods, the most popular types of timber include:
- Ironbark
- Spotted gum
- Jarrah
- American oak
- Tasmanian oak
- Silvertop ash
- Victorian ash
- Merbau
- Red gum
- Myrtle beech
- New England blackbutt
- Brownbarrel
- Brush box
- Blackwood
For Australian softwood varieties, the following types of timber are quite well-known:
- Hoop pine
- Western hemlock
- Douglas fir
- Radiata pine
- Caribbean pine
- Klinki pine
- Western red cedar
- Yellow cedar
- White cypress
- Queensland kauri
- Macrocarpa
- Redwood
- Norway spruce
- Pine fir spruce
Different Uses of Timber in House Building
Timber is a highly versatile material with many uses, in and out of the realm of building construction. When it comes to house building, timber can be used in:
- Framing
- Cladding
- Fencing
- Flooring
- Scaffolding
- Joinery
- Shingles
- Windows
- Beams
- Stairs
- Walls and dividers
- Fireplace mantles
- Balconies, decks, patios and terraces
FAQs
1. What’s the timeframe if I want to use timber for house construction?
When you’re planning for a timber frame house, you need to factor in the time it would take to acquire the kind of wood you want to use. Some timber suppliers in Perth, for example, need a couple of weeks to get your timber package, especially kiln-dried timber.
2. How durable are timber frame homes?
With the right preservative treatment, wood can be extremely durable. There are certain chemicals used to treat timber to prevent wood-destroying organisms (e.g. insects, fungi, etc.) from growing on or eating into the wood. There are also chemicals used to give timber the ability to inhibit fire.
Some timber frame structures last for hundreds of years. There are also timber posts and beams that take hours to burn when exposed to fire, so they still stand when the fire is put out.
3. What type of maintenance is needed for a timber frame house?
Depending on the finished product, you can have your wood siding refinished every 5 or 6 years. However, you can leave the interior as is since wood naturally darkens over time, which creates a distinct aesthetic appeal.