Timber

Softwoods

Softwoods grow in colder climates and are fast growing which makes them fairly cheap.

Hardwoods

Hardwoods grow in warm climates and are slow growing so they are more expensive.

Forms of wood

Wood can be bought in lots of forms:

• It comes in different sizes, for example planks and strips are sold in standard lengths.
• PSE which is known as Planed Square Edge wood has it's rough surfaces shaved off with an electric planer.
• Rough Sawn wood is not smoothed after it is cut so this means that it is cheaper and more useful for construction work where it will not be visible.
• Mouldings are hardwood strips that come in a range of cross-sections. They are used for skirting boards, door frames and picture frames.
• Veneers are thin cuts of wood that are glued onto materials to give them a nicer appearance.