Glossary
A comprehensive guide to the most common timber terms.
A green shrinkage allowance is the extra thickness or width added to the nominal dimensions of an unseasoned (green) timber board to compensate for shrinkage that will occur during the drying (seasoning) process.
A structural form based on geodesic geometry—specifically using a network of interconnected triangles to form a strong, lightweight, and stable dome or curved surface.
A liquid or paste adhesive that forms a strong bond between wood surfaces when cured or dried, often used in laminating, veneering, or assembling timber products.
Glulam is a structural engineered timber product made by laminating timber boards together with durable, moisture-resistant adhesives, all aligned in the same direction to form a strong, stable member for load-bearing construction.
The designation of the quality of a piece of timber or other manufactured wood products in accordance with standard rules.
Grain is the alignment and appearance of wood fibres in a piece of timber, influencing its strength, workability, and aesthetic appeal.
A green building is a structure that is environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout its life cycle—from planning and design to construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
Green timber is wood that has been recently harvested and has not yet been dried, meaning it still holds a significant amount of bound and free moisture from the living tree.
A grillage is a layered grid of beams, often used beneath columns or footings, to spread structural loads over a larger area of ground or foundation material.
Growth rings are the concentric circles in wood formed by the tree’s growth over each year, typically consisting of a light earlywood band (spring growth) and a dark latewood band (summer/autumn growth).
A natural exudation, also called kino, produced in trees as a result of fire or mechanical damage.
A ribbon of gum between growth rings, which may be bridged radially by wood tissue at intervals. Also known as kino
Plates, often steel or plywood, fixed by nails, bolts, or other means to connect timber members in a truss or other frame structure. Gusset plates may be applied to one or both sides of a joint.