Glossary

The process of driving nails directly into the broad, flat face of a wood board to fasten it to another piece, often used in framing, decking, or temporary construction.

The finishing board fixed to the ends of roof rafters or trusses, running along the edge of the roofline. It supports the bottom row of roof tiles or sheeting and provides a mounting surface for gutters.

Any irregularity or imperfection in a tree, log, board, or other wood product. Feature may result from knots and other growth conditions and abnormalities, insect or fungus attack, or during timber processing.

A type of cell in wood, especially in hardwoods, that provides mechanical support. These cells are elongated, thick-walled, and usually dead at maturity.

The point in the seasoning or wetting of timber at which the cell cavities are free from water but cell walls are still saturated with bound water. It is taken as approximately 25-30% moisture content.

A generic term including sheet materials of widely varying densities manufactured from refined or partially refined wood or vegetable fibres. Bonding agents and other materials may be added to increase strength or to improve other properties.

Figure in timber or veneer produced by small, regular undulations in the grain

The visible pattern in wood grain, often highlighted when the wood is cut, planed, or finished. It results from variations in grain direction, growth conditions, knots, and cell structure.

A strong, precision-cut joint where a series of interlocking rectangular profiles are cut into two timber pieces and bonded with adhesive to create a longer or stronger section.

FRL is a three-part rating that indicates how long a building element can maintain its structural adequacy, integrity, and insulation when exposed to fire, typically expressed in minutes (e.g., 90/60/30).

A strip of impervious material fitted to provide a barrier to moisture movement into the interior of a building.

Also called modulus of rupture (MOR), is the maximum stress a material can withstand before breaking in bending.

A large piece of log, sawn on at least two surfaces, intended for further cutting.

A floorboard is a plank or board, typically made of solid timber, engineered wood, or laminated materials, used as part of a finished flooring system.

The covering of internal floors in a building. Timber flooring includes tongue and groove strip flooring, parquetry, panel flooring, particleboard, and plywood.

A structure composed of multiple flat plates connected at angles, forming a continuous, self-supporting shape that can span large distances without intermediate supports.

The total area of land designated for forest use, either for conservation, timber production, recreation, or a mix of purposes.

The planned and regulated actions taken in the establishment, harvesting, maintenance, and regeneration of forests to ensure sustainable land management and ecosystem health.

The Forest Stewardship Council® is an international certification system that promotes responsible forest management by evaluating and accrediting forests and forest product supply chains according to rigorous environmental and social criteria.

A frame is the load-bearing structure of a building, made up of interconnected members such as beams, posts, studs, and joists, designed to support floors, walls, roofs, and other elements. Usually made from sawn or engineered timber and can be assembled on-site (stick framing) or off-site (prefabricated). Includes wall frames: studs, plates, noggings, floor frames: joists, bearers, roof frames: rafters, trusses. 

Timber that is specifically processed and graded for use in the structural framework of buildings, such as walls, floors, ceilings, and roofs. It forms the skeleton of a structure and must meet strength and durability standards appropriate for load-bearing and bracing applications.

Free moisture is the liquid water present in the open spaces (cell lumens and voids) within wood. It evaporates first during drying, before the moisture that's chemically bound to the cell walls.

Fungus (plural: fungi) refers to a group of living organisms—including moulds, yeasts, and mushrooms—that play a key role in the natural decomposition of organic matter, including wood. In the timber and construction context, fungi are most often associated with wood decay, rot, and mould growth, especially in moist environments.