Case study done by the students of Architecture,AU. Processing of Timber.

1. Timber
Processing of timber

2. The age of good trees for felling varies from 50 to 100
years.

3. Seasoningof Timber
• The water in the form of sap and moisture is
to removed before the timber can be used.
• The remaining moisture is uniformly
distributed throughtout the mass.
• By the process of seasoning, the excess water
is extracted such that it corresponds to the
required moisture content.

4. Methods of Seasoning
The methods of seasoning can be broadly
divided into two categories:
1. Natural seasoning
2. Artificial seasoning

5. Natural Seasoning
• In this method, the
seasoning is carried out by
natural air and hence it is
sometimes referred to as
Air Seasoning.
• The timber pieces are
stacked either horizontally
or vertically.
• This method of seasoning
is cheap and simple.
• It usually takes about 2 to
4 years to make timber fit
for the work of carpenter.

6. Artificial Seasoning
The various methods of artificial seasoning are
as follows:
a) Boiling
b) Chemical seasoning
c) Electical seasoning
d) Kiln seasoning
e) Water seasoning

7. Seasoning is carried by sending steam inside a
chamber.

9. No. Item Natural Seasoning Artificial Seasoning
1 Moisture content It is difficult to reduce
the moisture content
below 15 to 18%
The moisture content can
be reduced to any desired
level.
2 Nature It is simple and
economical.
It is expensive and quite
technical.
3 Quality of timber The air seasoned timber
is more liable to the
attacks of insects and
fungi.
The kiln seasoned timber is
less liable to the attacks of
insects and fungi.
4 Space It requires more space
for stacking.
It requires less space for
stacking.
5 Speed It is a slow process. It is a quick process.
6 Strength It gives stronger timber. It gives a little weaker
timber.

10. Industrial Timber
The timber which is prepared scientifically in a factory is termed as the
industrial timber. The following are the varieties of industrial
timber:
1. Veneers
2. Plywoods
3. Fireboards
4. Impreg timbers
5. Compreg timbers
6. Block board and lamin board
7. Glulam
8. Flushdoor shutters
9. Particle board or chip board
10. Hardboard

11. Veneers
These are thin sheets or slices of wood of superior quality.

12. • The thickness of veneers varies from 0.40mm
to 6 mm or more.
• They are obtained by rotating a log of wood
against a sharp knife of rotary cutter or saw.

13. The veneers after being removed are dried in kilns to remove moisture.

14. •The edges of the veneers are
joined and sheets of
decorative designs are
prepared.
•The process of preparing a
sheet of veneers is known as
the veneering.
•The veneers are used to
produce
plywoods,battenboards and
laminboards.
•The veneers may be fixed on
corners or bent portions.

15. The veneers may be glued with suitable adhesives on the surface of
inferior wood.
The appearance of inferior wood is then considerably improved.