Wood has been used as a building material for thousands of years. In terms of its rich and storied history in the world of construction, wood is second only to stone. A number of valuable properties such as low heat conductivity, high strength, small bulk density, amenability to mechanical working, and more, position wood as an important construction material even today.
Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of using wood as a building material is that it is a natural resource. Wood is readily available and economically feasible. It is also the perfect example of an environmentally sustainable product; it’s biodegradable and renewable and carries the lowest carbon footprint of all construction materials.
Most Used Types Of Wood For Construction
There are different types of wood. To choose the right type of wood for your building construction project, you have to consider their qualities and strengths of the specific wood. Some building wood can hold heavy loads while some cannot. Wood has traditionally been classified into two primary categories: hardwood and softwood.
Hardwoods
Hardwoods are obtained from lead-bearing trees. Hardwoods are commonly used in the construction of walls, ceilings, and floors. Most popular hardwoods include:
- Oak: It is extremely durable and resistant to insect damage. It’s reliable and valuable for homes and businesses, like engineered wood flooring and engineered wood beams.
- Walnut: Walnut is a top choice for furniture, musical instruments, and veneers.
- Maple: This construction material is designed to stand the test of time. It is often chosen to build furniture.
- Mahogany: Mahogany trees are found in tropical areas. Its use in carpentry is rare and luxurious.
Softwoods
Softwoods are from cone-bearing trees. These are often used to make doors, furniture, and window frames. Most commonly used softwoods include:
- Pine: White pine wood is used for many building projects from crafts to home construction. It is inexpensive and readily available.
- Cypress: Cypress wood doesn’t rot when exposed to wet conditions, so it’s a good choice for building outdoor furnishings.
- Cedar: Cedar wood’s density and lightweight make it an excellent choice for closets and wall coverings.
- Fir: Fir is used in lumber, plywood, firewood, and fencing.
Best Engineered Wood Products in the Market
It doesn’t matter what you need engineered wood products for, whether it’s engineered wood flooring or engineered wood beams, you can find everything at Ridout Lumber. We have achieved a half-century of quality service to the state of Arkansas. Our philosophy remains the same: to sell the highest quality building materials for the lowest price while providing the best service in the industry.