What is the Difference Between Lumber vs. Timber?

What is the Difference Between Lumber vs. Timber?

What is the Difference Between Lumber vs. Timber?

Lumber and timber are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Timber refers to wood that has not yet been harvested and is still in the form of an undisturbed tree.

It can also refer to wood that still has its original bark and has variations in size that reflect its growth patterns.

Timber can also be defined by its dimensional characteristics, with timbers being no less than 5 inches in size. In the boat building industry, “boat timbers” is a common phrase for the material used in wooden boat construction.

In places like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, the term timber is typically used to describe sawn wood, which would be referred to as lumber in the US and Canada.

Lumber refers to processed wood products that are commonly used in home construction, including dimensional lumber which is produced into standard sizes for design and construction.

Lumber can be rough-sawn or finished and is used in construction projects and in furniture and cabinet making.

Engineered lumber is an engineered wood product used when the nominal strength or available sizes of lumber are insufficient for the application. It is made of wood scraps, fibers, and particles combined using bonding agents or adhesives to form a composite material with superior physical and mechanical properties.

It is used as support beams and joists, for example, and is a structural lumber replacement for more expensive alternatives such as steel.

The Differences Between Rough-Sawn and Planed Lumber

When choosing lumber for a project, it is important to understand the differences between rough-sawn and planed lumber.

Rough-sawn lumber is the most basic form of wood preparation after a tree has been felled. It has been cut down to size with a circular saw without any further treatment, resulting in a rough and unfinished surface.

This type of lumber is generally cheaper than planed lumber and is a good choice for jobs where the finish of the wood is not important.

Planed lumber, also known as dressed lumber, has been passed through a planer to remove the rough outer layer, resulting in a smooth, splinter-free finish. It is more expensive due to the extra work involved in production, but it is ideal for jobs that require flush joints and aesthetic appeal.

Planed lumber is typically available in PAR and PSE configurations, which refer to the number of smooth surfaces on the finished lumber.

For assistance in choosing the right lumber for a project, it is recommended to reach out to a professional supplier.