– 4 –
Natural Timber Defects
Whilst we try to ensure that our timber products reach you in
perfect condition, we have to remember we are dealing with a
natural material and there are many defects which can arise.
These are completely normal and have no detrimental effect on
the product. Below are some images and descriptions. We also
manufacture our products so that most natural defects are inside
to product where you wouldn’t see them. The plank may be
reversible, so it can be used either way around.
Shake
appears like a series of splits. With a timber section
of this size you will always encounter some degree of this
(usually on one side). This does not affect the strength of the
product and you will find the shake opens in continued warm
weather and then closes up when the weather is wet and cooler
or there is a lot of moisture in the air. We do manufacture our
products so that most natural defects are on the inside of the
product where it will not be seen.
Pith
is simular to the above defect and quite often found along
side each other. Most of this is typically machined to be on the
inside of the product.
Knots
are typically found in timber as shown. These are not
generally an issue and can actually be benificial releiving stress
points in timber. In many peoples opinion these add character
to the products.
Cupping
is mainly caused by the treatment of the timber.
When timber is kiln dried and then pressure treated it can cause
cupping. Although we do our best to limit this, the best way to
counteract this is as you build the walls of your product, have
one plank with the growth rings facing one way and the next with
the rings facing the opposite direction. This is only possible on
square or rectangular products as the planks are reversible. On
octagonal products if you have a problematic plank try it in
another wall position to see where it will fit best.
Shake
Pith
Knot
Cupping
Counter
Cupping
