Timber is a great and very versatile material that can be used in all sorts of different constructions, from backyard tree forts to skyscrapers that dominate the skylines of Australia's biggest cities. If you are looking to start a construction project at home, whether that be a dog kennel, some decking or even a fully-fledged granny flat, then there are a few things you need to know before you get started. If you want your construction to last, whatever it is and however big you want it, then you need to ensure you get the right type of timber.
Structural Timber
Structural timber is the material that has been graded and rated appropriate for certain construction activities. If you buy wood straight from an individual seller, or in its more raw form, then you do not have any guarantees about its strength or longevity. You cannot simply cut down a tree and make a house out of it like you might have been able to in the past. There are certain regulations that govern this, but beyond that, you don't want untested and potentially weak timber as the only person who will suffer from this decision is you.
Differing Grades
For your purposes, you really don't need to know every grading level and what they mean, as your project is likely to be quite small. All you need to bear in mind is to look specifically for structural timber over unmarked timber. When you find the timber you are looking for, it should have a grade that it is tagged as. If you want to know the specifics of said grade, simply search it online for the exact strength, although the terminology of megapascals and stress grades can be quite confusing even for those in the industry. If you aren't sure if something is structural timber or not, then always ask before buying.
Seasoned Or Unseasoned
When looking at structural timber, you will likely see the term "seasoned" that goes along with many different options. This simply means that the wood has been treated so that all moisture content has been removed, which makes it a lot stronger and harder. Unseasoned timber might be cheaper and have a more natural look right now, but it will decay at a much faster rate and often cannot be graded as high as regular, seasoned wood, so seasoned wood should be your first preference if you have the option.
