What is the ideal moisture content of wood? This depends on the final use of the wood. The acceptable moisture levels of wood are in the range of 6% to 8% for interior applications and 9% to 14% for exterior applications.
Stools are known to be one of the earliest forms of wooden furniture. In fact, people used wooden stools or stones to sit since the Ancient Egyptian times. These were popularized in the western world through Greeks and Romans.
Ancient Egyptians and Ancient Chinese are believed to be the first cultures to practice woodworking. They developed many of the techniques that are still used by modern-day woodworkers.
Do you know that Holly is the whitest wood in the world and African Gabon Ebony is believed to be the blackest wood in the world?
If you are looking for strong and durable wood, hardwood is the best choice. This is because they do not chip, scratch or dent and hence are considered ideal.
Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect and interior designer, once quoted, “Wood is universally beautiful to a man. It is the most humanly intimate of all materials.”
Do you know that over 70% of the developed world’s population lives in timber-framed houses? These houses can be quickly constructed and made as energy-efficient as you want it to be.
These days, almost everyone can afford factory-manufactured wood flooring. But do you know that wood flooring produced between the 16th and 19th century was always solid, hand-produced and very expensive?
Do you know that Ebony, the blackest and darkest wood, is dense enough to sink in water? Today, it's mainly used for making ornamental pieces such as decorative crucifixes, piano keys, and chess pieces.
The craft of woodworking can be traced back to Ancient China and Egypt, and many of the techniques developed then are still in use today. Ancient woodworkers were even able to create shelters, toys, carts, and art pieces!
Oak trees are considered old when they reach the age of 700 years. When the trees exceed the 1,000-year mark, their growth slows downs and some parts begin to die.
What is dimensional lumber? It is wood lumber that is cut to pre-defined, standard width and thickness. Dimensional lumber usually measures between 6 to 24 feet. It is mainly used in framing wooden buildings.
Woods sourced from cedar, locust and redwood are considered best for external applications. Though they are somewhat expensive, they are durable and can be used without chemical treatments as well.
Pressure-treated wood is especially used for outdoor situations where wood is exposed to water. Though pressure-treated wood can be painted, its main purpose is to prevent rot.
Finger-jointed trim, also known as a comb joint, is cheaper as compared to other jointed lumber. However, because joints are visible, the surface should be painted to hide them.
What is a breadboard end? It is most commonly seen at the short ends of a tabletop that is made of longboards. Breadboard ends look elegant and provide stability to the table as they naturally expand and contract.
What is the purpose of a pilot hole? Pre-drilling helps reduce cracking when a screw is added. Though wood might not crack without them, pilot holes are good insurance for strong joints.
Do you know that a piece of lumber must measure over 4 inches to be considered timber? Lumber is also graded as select, B-D with D-select. These are most commonly used for cabinets.
Because wood is naturally elastic, moving and shifting over time, finishes should be applied that are not brittle and have some flexibility of movement.
