Category: wood

As you may already know, timber generally contains natural moisture, which needs to be dried before the wood can be used for specific purposes like construction and flooring. Air Dried Vs Kiln Dried, both happen to be two of the most popular types of dried timber that have been perfected for any woodworking project.

Why Wood Needs to be Dried?

Fresh timber harvested from trees contains a large amount of moisture in it, which makes it inapt for practically any purpose, from burning to furniture making. Timber with high water content will be difficult to burn and might not be suitable for any steady use like construction, where the timber needs to be sturdy and hard. Why? Because over time, the fresh timber will start drying and lose moisture, which will make the wood shrink and change its properties, which can make the object (furniture, etc.) change its shape or become weak.

Moreover, the moisture in timber can reduce its durability and make it prone to insect attacks. For all these reasons, timber needs to be dried properly before use.

How much Drying is Needed for Fresh Timber

Any freshly harvested timber needs to be dried enough to bring the mixture levels down to 7% to 9%, which is suitable for furniture and other industrial work. Timber intended to be used for firewood should have not more than 20% moisture content.

Air Dried Vs Kiln Dried: How to Dry Wood

There are two ways to dry wood:

1. Leave it and let it dry naturally
2. Force dry it using methods such as kiln-drying

Let’s get to know more about the two methods of timber Drying.

Air Drying – Natural Way to Dry Wood

Air-dried timber is produced by letting the timber dry naturally through the flow of natural air by keeping it in an open space. As you can imagine, this is a slow and time-consuming process. But, it’s also the least expensive method of drying timber. Here’s how it works.

The freshly sawn wood is cut into lumbers or kept in logs, which are then arranged in layers such that each layer is separated from the other using small wooden blocks to maintain at least a 1-inch gap to allow air to pass freely between timber layers. For the air drying method to work best, timber should be kept in an open space with a good and constant flow of air. However, the area should be covered so that rain and other weather conditions do not interfere with the process or delay it further.

As one can imagine, this is a cost-effective method of wood drying, as it involves limited resources, however, the process might take a few months to more than a year depending on the wind and weather conditions in a particular region. To speed up the air drying process of timber, sometimes heavy-duty fans are used in industrial settings.

Kiln-Drying – Drying Wood Using Machines

Kiln drying is the process of drying timber by keeping it in a closed chamber called a kiln under specific temperature and humidity conditions and passing air through the wood to force the moisture out. Here’s how it works.

Timber is arranged in layers in the kiln chamber under specific temperature and humidity. Then, the air is passed through the timber by using heavy-duty fans. The temperature makes the air hot and it forces water molecules in the wood to pop out.

This is a faster way of drying wood, but it can be expensive to set up a kiln and manage resources, which is why this method is generally used in industries only. It can take a few weeks to up to a couple of months for the wood to dry completely using this method. High-density hardwoods may take longer to dry as compared to low-density softwoods.

If you are wondering what are the differences between air-dried timber and kiln-dried timber, here you go.

Air Dried Vs Kiln dried Wood

Time: As we mentioned before, air drying is a long process and may easily take up to or more than 1 year in some cases. Kiln-drying, on the other hand, is a faster way to dry wood and can be done in a few weeks’ time.

Cost: Kiln drying is expensive because it involves the use of a specific set-up, with a large chamber. Air drying is inexpensive.

Quality: The wood produced in the air-drying method is of good quality, has fewer cracks, doesn’t lose its color and would not get easily affected by mould and decay. Also, the process causes no internal tensions in the wood, so it’s easy to work with.
Kiln-dried wood is well-dried and has a low moisture content. Also, the method will remove bugs, ensuring overall better quality of wood. However, the timber might lose color after kiln drying and grains may be affected by internal tensions, which can lead to problems while working. Kiln-dried wood needs to be stored in a climate-control environment, as it will absorb moisture quickly after drying.

Resources required: Air drying requires more space but almost zero resources. Kiln drying requires less space, but it needs specific resources, including high-temperature conditions.

Control: The process and time taken in the air drying method cannot be controlled. The process and results of kiln drying can be controlled.

Uses: While air-dried timber is mainly used for fencing, outdoor furniture, patio, and decking, kiln-dried timber is used for furniture, flooring, and cabinets.

Overall, in terms of quality and results, air-dried wood is better than kiln-dried, however, the process of air-drying wood can be quite long and tiresome.

Whether you are looking to buy naturally air-dried wood or kiln-dried timber or looking for the best place to dry your wood, contact CameroonTimberExportSARL for the best timber products and services. We can provide you with top-quality wood timber as well as high-quality wood drying services at reasonable prices. Call us today to discuss.

Moulding refers to a decorative shape made out of wood or any other material. Mouldings have since always been used in buildings, both as a way to conceal transition between surfaces such as walls and floors and as a piece of decoration. Because the right moulding can significantly improve the look and features of your place, choosing the right type of moulding is extremely important.

Timber mouldings are quite common in both classic and modern homes. They are used in various places, at the top and bottom of walls, at the centre of ceilings, at the centre of walls, etc. and might help make your place look more beautiful than without them.

If you are looking to find and buy the perfect timber moulding for your place, here’s a complete guide to the different types of timber mouldings and how to choose the best one.

What are Mouldings and Why do you Need Them?

Mouldings are the outline of the edges or corners and are primarily used as a part of the interior both to cover/support joints (such as where the wall meets the floor) and to add to the beauty of the place. Timber mouldings are particularly popular when it comes to using them for improving the aesthetics of a room.

Types of Timber Mouldings based on Shape

Unlike what some people might think, mouldings aren’t very complex. But, they are available in many different shapes to suit the different styling needs of different places. There are so many designs that you’d rarely find them repeating in two different buildings. However, all timber moulding designs have a number of common shapes, some of which include:

Angular mouldings are generally used in combination with flat mouldings and are considered a basic but modern shape. They are, in fact, a part of many modern timber moulding designs.

Flat mouldings are generally parallel to the surface but are given a modern look to match with the style of the place. The flat moulding can be further carved to include intricate detail to give it more meaning.

Curved mouldings contain designs in a curved shape. Based on how it is designed, it can take many forms and thus can be used to create a large number of designs. Some variants include ogee and lambs tongue.

Other popular shapes in timber mouldings include Square, Pencil Round, Scotia, Arris, Bullnose, Ogee, Charnfur, Half Bullnose, Sunk Panel with Ogee Mould, Charnfer/V Line, Bead 1, Cavetto, Weathered, Bead 2, Reed, Sunk Margin, Ovolo, and Flute.

Popular Types of Mouldings

Some of the most common types of timber mouldings include:

Chair rail mouldings were traditionally used to cover about half of the walls to protect them from stains and dents but they are now widely considered a suitable option to add a modern look to any place.

Skirting is the most basic type of moulding and can be used everywhere from the bottom of the wall to ceiling and between rooms for different purposes such as covering the joints and adding to the aesthetic appeal of a place.

Wall panelling: This type of moulding is supposed to cover the entire walls of a room or place. The timber moulds or boards are arranged on the wall in a predefined manner, generally to give the look of a picture frame.

Picture rail is a type of wall panelling that is both inexpensive and looks really attractive. It can be used anywhere to improve the look of walls.

Sill Nosing is primarily used as a window sill, but its use as a chair rail is also not very uncommon.

Architraves are generally used as a frame for a door or window, which helps improve the look as well as adds the illusion of height.

Curved architraves are used to build frames for curved windows and doors.

Cornice moulds are commonly used between the wall and the ceiling and generally sit on a certain angle and cover the entire room, i.e. all walls and ceilings. Other uses include decorating fireplaces and cupboards.

Skirting block mouldings are generally used to connect door architraves with skirting moulds. They look amazing and classic.

Rosette is a custom wood design that contains a decorative mould and is generally used at the intersection of two parts of the same frame.

Choosing the Best Timber Species for Moulding

Choosing the right timber for your mouldings is very important. You want to go with a wood that is both attractive and strong, has good hardness and natural resistance and durability. The most popular timber options for mouldings are pine, sapele, oak, and tulipwood, of which only pine is a softwood. It is popular as a cheaper alternative to other hardwood options and is readily available in almost all parts of the world.

If you are looking to buy the best wood for timber mouldings, just visit https://cameroontimberexport.com/ to explore and search from our vast range of timber species. We have sapele, oak and multiple other top varieties of timber that you can order online and get it at wholesale rates with doorstep delivery all over the world. We ship timber to all parts of the world, North America, South America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and more. Call us today to place your order.

Monkey Pod is a hardwood obtained from Monkey Pod Tree, which is also commonly called Raintree. It’s a hardwood with a 900 lbf Janka rating. The trees are naturally found in central and south America and are also planted in many tropical areas around the world.

Here’s everything you need to know about Monkey Pod wood, including its properties and applications.

What is Monkey Pod Wood?

Monkeypod is a hardwood. It is strong, durable and resistant to all kinds of decay, rot and insect attacks. The wood is considered suitable for a large variety of purposes because of its unique strength and appearance.

The scientific name of Monkeypod is Albizia saman wood. The raintree from which this wood is obtained primarily grows in central and south America but is also grown in tropical plantations around the world. The tree size is about 100-125 ft (height) with a 3-4 ft trunk diameter.

Monkeypod looks great in its natural color but is often finished or painted to get the desired appearance. It is naturally resistant and durable and is not required to be treated.

Properties of Monkey Pod Wood

Monkeypod heartwood has a naturally golden to dark brown color. The body may sometimes have dark streaks. Sapwood is light yellow or white and can be easily distinguished from heartwood. The wood is also often seen with curly grain patterns. Otherwise, the grain is normally straight, but the wavy or interlocked grain is not uncommon. The wood texture is medium to coarse.

The natural moderate luster and open large pores make the wood easy to identify. Because of its straight grain and significant hardness, the Monkeypod is rated as durable to very durable. It is resistant to rot, decay and most insect attacks. The wood can take its fair share of moisture and will not rot easily.

In terms of workability, Monkeypod wood is considered easy to work with because of its straight grain. The wood cuts easily and can be worked with both hand and machine tools. It also glues and finishes well.

Monkeypod is available in the form of logs, lumber and small wood pieces suitable for crafting. It is moderately priced for imported wood but is considered a cheaper alternative to Koa, which shares similar characteristics. Boards and lumber of Monkeypod wood can be sourced internationally from top timber merchants such as CameroonTimberExportSARL, which exports it to more than 20 countries across Asia, Europe, Australia, America and Africa.

Technical specifications of Monkeypod

Average Dried Weight: 38 lbs/ft3 (600 kg/m3)

Specific Gravity (Basic, 12% MC): .48, .60

Janka Hardness: 900 lbf (4,010 N)

Modulus of Rupture: 9,530 lbf/in2 (65.7 MPa)

Elastic Modulus: 1,149,000 lbf/in2 (7.92 GPa)

Crushing Strength: 5,790 lbf/in2 (39.9 MPa)

Shrinkage: Radial: 2.0%, Tangential: 3.4%, Volumetric: 6.0%, T/R Ratio: 1.7

Applications & Uses of Monkeypod

Monkeypod is strong, very durable and resistant to moisture, rot and insects, which makes it suitable for both outdoor and indoor uses. Basically, it’s a versatile wood that can be used for practically everything.

Common applications of Monkeypod wood include plywood, furniture, musical instruments such as guitars, veneering, carving, flooring, millwork, cabinetry and specialty wood items.

Even for outdoor purposes, Monkeypod wood makes a great choice because it doesn’t absorb moisture easily and will easily last decades in furniture and other outdoor objects.

One of the best things about Monkey Pod wood is its sustainability. Because Monkeypod trees grow very fast and can be planted in tropical regions anywhere in the world, it is easily available worldwide. Because it’s a seed-bearing tree, the seeds are often widely spread by birds and rodents, making them grow all over the world.

If you are looking for the best place to buy Monkeypod wood, timber or boards or want to know more about this hardwood, feel free to contact us at info@cameroontimberexport.com to talk to one of our experts.

Plywood is a type of engineered wood that is used in a vast range of applications, including both DIY and construction projects. Depending on the type and grade of plywood, it can be fairly strong to very strong. In this article, we will talk about the different types of plywood and which is suitable for what purpose.

Why Should You Know About the Types of Plywood?

It comes in many varieties, depending on the material used. Not every type of plywood is suitable for every project. For example, construction projects may require plywoods that are very strong and durable as opposed to DIY projects that might do with low-grade plywoods.

What Is Plywood and Why Is It Used?

Plywood is made by combining thin layers of wood called veneer or plies, which are glued together, generally in a cross-angle pattern, to form a strong, highly durable piece of engineered wood.

It is used as an alternative to solid wood, which is scarcely available these days. It is primarily used in construction because of its high strength and durability. Other uses of plywood include roofing, flooring, panelling, shelving, cabinets, furniture, packaging, boatbuilding & more.

Moreover, it is generally used as an alternative to wood because it can be as strong and durable but is easily available at a much lower cost than solid wood.

5 Types of Plywood

In general, all plywoods out there can be broadly divided into the following five types:

• Hardwood Plywood

Hardwood plywood is the most common type and is made from hardwoods like oak and birch. It is generally very strong, durable and heavy and is mainly used in the construction of premium furniture and strong load-bearing structures.

• Structural Plywood

Structural plywood, commonly known as plywood sheathing, is made to be used for structures. It comes unfinished and so is used in places where it is hidden from plain view. Examples include framing, flooring, beams, etc.

• Sanded Plywood

Sanded plywood is the one that is sanded to make it appear beautiful, as the plywood is mainly used for shelves, panelling, cabinets and other projects where it is visible.

• Plywood Panels

Plywood panels are pre-cut plywood boards that are ready to use in DIY and a variety of other projects.

• Markerboard

Markerboard is a piece of plywood that has one side coated such that it can be written upon with dry erase markers. This type is mainly used for crafting and making study boards.

Types of Plywood Based on the Number of Plies

As we mentioned before, plywood is made by combining the thin layers of veneer called plies. The higher number of plies results in a stronger and thicker plywood board. Based on the number of plies, it can have the following types:

• 3-Ply

3-ply plywood is the one that has 3 plies of veneer combined with each other. It is not very thin or thick and is ideal for indoor uses like crafting and decoration.

• 5-Ply

5-ply is a thicker and stronger type of plywood that involves the use of five plies to form a strong board. It is used both indoors and outdoors for furniture making and other purposes.

• Multi-Ply

Multi-ply is used for more load-sensitive purposes and has seven or more plies in it. It is very strong and thick and is mainly used for structuring, framing and similar purposes.

Grades & Ratings of Plywood

Grades and ratings are the most commonly used factors for choosing the right plywood. Different grades are intended for different uses.

There are five common ratings as follows:

1. Exterior plywood is intended to be used outside, which means the boards are waterproof and can sustain weather conditions.

2. Exposure 1 is the rating given to plywoods that are waterproof but can withstand exposure for a limited period. Not ideal for long-term exposure.

3. Exposure 2 rating is provided to a plywood that is somewhat waterproof and can withstand occasional moisture but should not be constantly exposed to water.

4. Interior plywood refers to panels that are not waterproof and are intended to be used for the interior only.

5. Structure 1 is the plywood designed specifically for seismic retrofit conditions, i.e. created to be resistant to seismic activities such as earthquakes.

Plywood Grades define the quality and appearance of plywoods based on the type of veneers used on the top and the back of the plywood.

A-grade plywood is the highest quality and the most expensive. It has a sanded surface that looks beautiful. It is strong and free of any defects or knots. It is ideal for furniture and other interior uses.

B-grade plywood is also of good quality and has a sanded surface, but it may have minor defects or knots.

C-grade plywood has not been sanded and may have many minor defects. It is used in low-level projects where the appearance of the plywood does not matter.

D-grade is the lowest grade plywood with unfinished surfaces and several minor defects and knots across its length.

There are also available plywoods with mixed grade ratings such as BC. It refers to a panel with one side a B-grade ply and the other side a C-grade ply.

How to Buy the Best Type of Plywood for Your Project?

If you need help selecting the right plywood type or grade for your upcoming project, feel free to contact CameroonTimberExportSARL. We have huge experience in the timber industry and a vast collection of ready-to-use timber and plywoods in a variety of sizes and grades. Call us at +237671776559 to talk to an expert now.

Solid wood and plywood are two of the most common and widely used types of wood. While solid wood refers to the original wood that we receive directly from trees, plywood is an engineered wood made by combining multiple thin layers of wood called veneer.

Both solid wood and plywood (plywood vs solid wood) are equally popular in terms of usability and strength. While natural wood, of course, beats plywood in many areas such as appearance and strength, plywood is considered the best inexpensive alternative to solid wood.

Why do we need Plywood?

You may be wondering why we need plywood in the first place when we already have solid wood. Well, there are many reasons to use plywood. First, solid wood is obtained from trees, which are limited in number. As the concentration of forests and trees is depleting, we need to find alternatives to natural wood.

Plywood is one of the strongest and most durable types of engineered woods. It is considered as strong and durable as solid wood but costs much less and is easily available. Moreover, plywoods come in different grades in terms of quality, so you can choose the right type based on your budget. Plywood can be used for almost all purposes where solid wood is used. Some examples include construction, furniture making, flooring, and others.

Plywood Vs Solid Wood

If you are looking for a low-cost alternative to real wood, plywood is the best option to consider. But before you go ahead, read about the basic differences between plywood and solid wood (plywood vs solid wood) to know which is best for your project.

Appearance

Wood is one of the most attractive materials on earth and is hard to beat by any engineered material, including plywood. Though plywood is made to appear similar to solid wood, it does not come close to the beautiful appearance original wood can offer to a project. Because plywood is made by combining the layers of veneer, it is not very attractive to look at and it is generally polished or complemented by a laminated layer of Sunmica to achieve the desired look.

Strength

In terms of strength, solid wood beats plywood almost every time. It is stronger and more durable and is therefore suitable for practically every use.

Because plywood is not actually solid and is made by combining layers of wood using adhesive, it can break under considerable pressure and may also be susceptible to moisture. Solid wood is, however, very strong and not easy to break.

One should know that strong woods are not always right for all types of projects, especially carving and wood designing.

Workability

One of the areas where plywood surpasses solid wood is workability. Because plywood is not very hard, it is comparatively easier to work with. It is easy to cut, bend and mould. Cross grain in solid wood can often make it difficult to work with or cut the wood. Softwoods are, however, less dense and thus easier to work with than hardwoods.

Since plywood is made of veneer layers, it cannot be sanded and polished more than once or twice unlike solid wood which can be done again and again.

Uses

Plywood is used as a wood alternative in a range of projects, from furniture making to building, indoor uses and for making crates, bins and building structures.

Plywoods are available in different grades, with the highest grade plywood being the strongest and most durable. It is considered similar to solid wood and is used in furniture and boatbuilding. Marine-grade plywood is resistant to moisture and can be used in bathrooms and kitchens. For exterior applications, moisture-resistant plywoods are generally preferred.

Solid wood, on the other hand, can be used for all kinds of woodworking projects. It is mainly used in construction and for making premium furniture. Other uses include flooring, cabinetry, musical instruments, building structure, fencing, sports equipment, etc.

Hardwood, which is considered the better, stronger type of wood, is mainly used in construction and flooring. Softwood is less durable and is ideal for interior applications such as furniture, windows, doors, etc.

Other Plywood vs Solid Wood Differences – Maintenance, Availability & Price

Every type of wood requires regular maintenance. However, some solid woods are naturally resistant to rot and moisture, which means they can manage with limited care. Plywoods may need more care than solid woods and will not last as long as real hardwoods, some of which can easily last decades with little maintenance.

As we talked about before, solid wood is limited as the number of forests around the world is rapidly depleting. Some wood species are higher in demand and have less availability than others and may also be limited by region/location. Plywoods, though, are easily available all around the world. They are locally manufactured in almost every country.

Solid woods and plywoods that are easily available in many countries are moderately priced, i.e. you can buy them on a budget. Softwoods, for instance, cost less than hardwoods. Plywoods cost less than solid woods, which is why they are generally used as a wood alternative.

If you are looking for the best place to buy either plywood or solid wood at the lowest price online, then contact CameroonTimberExportSARL. As a leading exporter and supplier of timber, we can provide all kinds of solid and engineered wood at the best price with doorstep delivery in most countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.