Learn with TRADA Live: Fundamentals of timber

Thank you for attending the second Fundamentals session, 'Trees and the nature of wood'.

The next session 'Wood and timber properties' takes place on 12 October 2021 (12:00–13:00 UK time). It is free for all TRADA members. Non-members may attend for £30 +VAT.

 

Book now
View the full programme

 

In the Bookshop

We have put together a WIS bundle featuring relevant Wood Information Sheets with a £10 discount on their combined price. It includes: Introducing wood; Timbers – their properties and uses; Moisture in timber; and Introduction to wood-based panel products.

 

Non-member's price: £50 (zero VAT)
Member's price: Free

 

Buy bundle in the TRADA Bookshop

 

As an event attendee, you also qualify for free delivery on orders over £20. Simply enter promo code LEARNSEPT at checkout. Valid 13/09/2021–19/09/2021 and for UK orders only.

 

Also available is TimberWISE, a USB stick with a shell made from sustainably sourced wood containing all Wood Information Sheets (WIS) available to read offline with search and browse features. Find out more

 

TRADA membership

At TRADA we are passionate about inspiring people to build high quality, low impact constructions in wood. TRADA membership would enable your colleagues and students to attend all our online events for FREE, including every Learn with TRADA Live session. Call us on 01494 569603 or email membership@trada.co.uk to discuss.

 

Technical information

We have collated some complementary resources that we have available across all TRADA access levels, including free registered access, academic access and TRADA membership. Please note you must log in to access these resources. If you are a TRADA member and unsure of your login details, please contact membership@trada.co.uk.

 

Become a TRADA member
Sign up for free academic access
Sign up as a free registered user

 

WOOD INFORMATION SHEET

Introducing wood

This WIS gives readers a general overview of timber as both a living, biological organism and as a construction material, and explains the terms used when describing timber and their properties.

 

Contents:

  • Nomenclature
  • Structure of wood
  • Conversion of logs into timber
  • Moisture content
  • Durability
  • Chemical resistance
  • Performance in fire
  • Grading
  • Strength characteristics

 

Available to: Members, Registered Users, Lecturers and Students

 

Download

 

WOOD INFORMATION SHEET

Wood - decorative and practical

An overview of the considerations you should take into account when selecting and specifying a timber species for use in the UK. It includes colour photographs of a core selection of 50 timbers which are generally available or are commonly used in the UK, along with information on their suitability for typical uses. 

 

Contents:

  • Timber selection
  • Nomenclature
  • Availability
  • Material properties
  • Appearance
  • Wood-based panels
  • Engineered wood products
  • Illustrations and tables

 

Available to: Members and Lecturers

 

Download

 

LEARNING RESOURCE

The Tree

Roughly 20% of the world's land surface is covered by forest, either natural or planted. While all trees are organic cellular structures, the species are separated into types.

 

Contents:

  • The tree
  • Types of tree
  • Cellular or organic structure
  • Heartwood and sapwood
  • Hardwoods and softwoods

 

Available to: Members, Lecturers and Students

 

Download

 

LEARNING RESOURCE

Using the correct names when specifying timber

The aim of this unit is to show how the different names are used within the timber industry, and to explain the importance of using the correct name when specifying a particular timber. This unit will cover the legislation and sourcing of timber, and also the scientific reasoning behind why timbers have, or acquire, the names that they do.

 

Contents:

  • Importance of the correct name
  • How trees are named
  • What is in a name

 

Available to: Members, Lecturers and Students

 

Download

 

CHOOSE AND USE SHEET

Timber species

This Choose and Use sheet contains a species table which details the species, origin, colour, density, texture, moisture movement, working qualities, durability, treatability of Heartwood and uses of a number of common softwoods and temperate and tropical hardwoods.

 

Contents:

  • Softwoods
  • Hardwoods
  • Which species of wood do I choose?
  • Table of species and uses
  • Table 1: Softwoods
  • Table 2: Temperate hardwoods
  • Table 3: Tropical hardwoods

 

Available to: Members, Registered Users, Lecturers and Students

 

Download

 

Tanalith™ high pressure wood preservative offers reliable and consistent long-term protection against fungal and insect attack (including termites) for construction, fencing and landscaping timbers.

 

With the full range of products Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) authorised across Europe, and with years of proven performance, Tanalith™ has evolved to meet the changing requirements of the regulatory environment and needs of the specifiers.