A standard material used in the construction or renovation of a new or existing home is wood. Wood stands the test of time as a building component because of its durability and, in many cases, affordability for both builders and homeowners. The types of wood used in home construction projects varies, based on where you live and the type of home you are building.
There are more than 150 types of wood used in construction throughout the world. The different types of wood include birch, cedar, Douglas fir, maple for flooring and oak, a general purpose lumber. If you are about to engage in the construction of your new home or have some home improvement project on the horizon, here are some of the woods that you may want to consider.
Traditional Types of Wood Used in Home
Traditional woods commonly used in home construction projects include solid wood flooring made from natural wood and engineered wood, made from a hardwood veneer that is glued to a plywood base. While natural woods gives you a unique and rich wood look, it is subject to expansion and contraction due to climatic changes (depending on where you live). This expansion and contraction of your natural wood can be minimize through techniques employed by your builder.
According to Bayou City Lumber, your trusted lumber yard in Houston, engineered wood is a less expensive alternative to natural wood. It is not subject to the same climatic changes as natural wood however you may not have as many options for sanding or refinishing engineered wood. Of course one of the drawbacks in the use of certain types of wood is its classification as either critically endangered, endangered or vulnerable to the risk of extinction.
The Use of Bamboo
Bamboo is being used in more and more projects, particularly as a durable flooring material. The biggest advantage to bamboo as a wood (or wood type material) is its sustainability, which makes it an idea building material for those who are environmentally conscious. Bamboo, which is widely used in Asia, Central and South America, has gained recent popularity in North America as both an exterior and interior building element.
Whereas natural wood take a period of 25 years for softwoods and 50 years or more for certain species of hardwood to replenish, bamboo replenishes itself in 3 to 6 years. Bamboo has the sturdiness of oak the strength of steel. In Hong Kong, bamboo is the principle material used in scaffolding built to construct skyscrapers.
Laminated flooring simple refers to wood products designed with synthetic materials fused together in a lamination process. This process is certified by the North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA), a trade association based in Washington, D.C. for the laminate flooring industry. The 5-layer process for laminate flooring includes a base underlayment, a moisture barrier made from melamine resin, high density fiberboard (HDF) core, a decorative layer that consists of a specific design element and a transparent protective layer that resists wear. According to Bayou City Lumber, a provider of reclaimed and repurposed lumber, this material, which consists of wood and wood derivative products, is designed for high traffic areas and the wear and tear that comes with home ownership.
Knowing the different types of wood products, including bamboo, can help you choose the product that is right for your home. The type of product you choose depends on the home based project, your budget, where you live and the design you are looking to achieve.