Timber
Design & Technology: AQA GCSE, topic 3.4.1
Sources and Origins
It is important to understand how timbers are processed, seasoned (drying wood so the moisture content is reduced), converted and how composites are made.
Mature timber
- Timber is derived from hardwood and softwood trees that are of the correct age, often referred to as mature.
- A tree is classed as mature at the point where the tree will not grow in a significant way but will generally maintain its shape and structure.
Maturation times
- Hardwoods and softwoods take different times to mature.
- Softwoods take 10-15 years to mature. This makes them desirable for furniture companies like IKEA.
Hardwood
- Hardwoods take longer to mature but tend to look better due to the lack of knots and close grain structure.
- Oak is a prime example of a hardwood which is the choice wood for Oak Furniture Land.
Test yourself on Timber
Name the process of drying wood to reduce the moisture?