Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store

Wood

Reviewed by:
ffImage
hightlight icon
highlight icon
highlight icon
share icon
copy icon
SearchIcon

Meaning of Wood

Wood is a hard-fibrous material building the trunk and branches of trees or shrubs. The trees are first grounded, and the wood logs are then cut in the sawmills to smaller sizes, and these wooden pieces are then used for making furniture. The most famous and largely used wood type is softwood that is Plywood's.


The Density of Wood

Wood density affects how timber is classified and where it can be used. The relationship between timber hardness and density :

  •  < 480 kg/m3 -Very soft

  •  485–560.kg/m3 -Soft

  •  565–800.kg/m3 -Firm

  •  805–960.kg/m3 -Hard

  •  > 965 kg/m3-Very hard


 Characteristics of Wood

  • It is lightweight and strong 

  • Wood maintains its thermal properties, therefore it is resistant to high temperatures

  • Heat conductivity of wood is comparatively low contrasted to aluminum, marble, steel, or glass

  • It can absorb noise and echo especially in Plywood's

  • It is not a good conductor of electricity.


Wood Advantages

To contribute to sustainable development the wood and its derivative products are the best suitable material because of the technician and environmental qualities.


Apart from is an eco-friendly material, wood brings other great features like high stability, strength, flexibility, versatility that make the wood products one of the biggest references of the habitats, decoration, construction, packaging. Wood is the only material that decreases the CO2 radiation, as plays an essential role to slow down Climatic Change.


Wood as a Material: Different Uses

The total number of wood-based items is enormous—some figures put it as high as 10,000. The versatility of wood, as well as its many desirable qualities, such as high strength for its weight, workability, and aesthetic appeal, allow such broad application. However, there are several drawbacks to using wood. It will, for example, fire and decay. It is hygroscopic (moisture-absorbing), and it changes dimensions as it absorbs or loses moisture. Furthermore, as a biological product, wood has a wide range of quality. Understanding the dynamic nature of this material is important for reducing the effects of these inherent undesirable properties, as well as making proper use of the many existing wood-growing plant species and producing the best possible wood quality in the forest. An analysis of the structure, chemical composition, and properties of wood may provide this insight.


Classification of Wood

Wood can be broadly categorized as Softwood and Hardwood. Density is a significant determinant of the durability of wood. Hardwoods, meaning denser than softwoods, are more effective and more long-lasting.

  • Softwood – It originates from the coniferous trees. These trees are also identified as evergreen trees as leaves do not drop till the new ones develop. Softwood normally grows in areas having a cold climate. Coniferous trees grow fast; therefore, they are less costly as compared to hardwood. They are more sustainable as they can be readily grown. Soft Wood has shades of yellow or red and is less costly compared to Hardwood. 

Softwoods are Often Used for:

  1. Panels

  2. Plywood

  3. Particleboards (compressed wood)

  4. Dry-erase boards

  5. Toys

  • Hardwood – It originates from deciduous trees that have broad leaves, provides fruits or nuts, and are usually inactive in the winter. Hardwoods have an extra dense structure about softwoods. Hardwood has darkened shades of red and brown and is a bit high-priced. 

Hardwoods are Often Used for:

  • Flooring

  • Furniture

  • Utensils

  • Boats

  • Baseball bats

  • Instruments

  • Model aircraft (Balsa)


Types of Wood for Furniture Especially:

Softwood:

  • Plywood (highly popular in furniture making)

  • Pinewood

  • Cedarwood

  • Spruce wood

  • Deodar wood 

Hardwood:

  • Teakwood

  • Rosewood

  • Oakwood 

  • Maple wood- Rubberwood (Environment friendly)

  • Marandi wood


Why Buy Rubberwood and Its Uses?

Rubberwood is a light-colored, moderate tropical hardwood derived from the Pará rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis), which is typically found in rubber plantations. Rubberwood is sometimes marketed as an "environmentally friendly" wood because it is made from plantation trees that have previously served a useful purpose. Rubberwood has a thick grain that is easily managed in the kiln drying process. This material is used for making furniture, toys, and kitchen accessories. It has a depth of approximately 9500 psi, stiffness of 1.3 million psi, and hardness of 500 pounds.


How Plywood is a Better Choice for Furniture?

Plywood is a smart option for most types of use that includes walls, subfloors, and furniture. The benefits of plywood hold its availability and price, as long as you aren't set on the more costly hardwood varieties. It is very hard and the thinner cuts are effortless to work with. Plywood that is covered with a good quality cover can be painted to look like any wood and is smooth to paint.

The Types of Plywood You can Choose:

  • Softwood plywood

  • Hardwood plywood

  • Tropical plywood

  • Aircraft plywood

  • Decorative plywood (overlaid types of plywood)

  • Flexible plywood

  • Marine plywood

FAQs on Wood

Q1.What is Wooden Cladding?

Ans. Wood cladding gives a structure a natural appearance. External cladding enhances the building's picture as well as the atmosphere, whilst still offering the necessary security for the façade behind it. Cladding is the method of utilizing one substance over another to form a sheet or coat. Cladding is used in construction to provide thermal insulation, weather resistance, and enhance the appearance of buildings. Cladding may be made of a variety of materials that include wood, metal, stone, vinyl, and composite materials like aluminum, wood, cement-recycled polystyrene compounds, and wheat or rice straw fibers. Cedar or redwood are largely used to build wooden cladding units.

Q2. Is Particle Board Furniture Good to Use?

Ans. Particleboard is named chipboard or low-density fiberboard (LDF.) It is typically the very less expensive material that can be applied for manufacturing furniture. 


The low cost of a particleboard is achieved by using all lumber waste materials. Wood chips, shavings, sawdust, and other mill residue items fall under this category. These are glued together and pressed onto boards or sheets with a firm press. As compared to plywood or medium-density fiberboards, particleboards have the benefit of being a more cost-effective alternative. Particleboards are easy to transport and handle due to their lightweight.