Wood comes in many colors, shapes, and sizes. And when it comes to starting a new construction project, you need to decide on the right materials to use. But, have you ever wondered what the benefits of the various types of wood used for building houses are?
There are several benefits of building homes with wood that make them an excellent choice as a building material. Some of the most appealing benefits include:
- Structural strength
- Resistant to decay
- Natural insulation
- Carbon positive
- Less energy production
- Renewable building material
Here, we will discuss the most common types of lumber for construction projects and their unique benefits.
Types of Wood Used for Building Houses
In the house construction industry, the two most commonly used types of wood are hardwood and softwood, depending upon the project’s requirements.
Softwood
● Pine Wood
Pinewood is commonly used for making windows, partitions, decks, railings, paneling, mold, cladding, etc., and the benefits include; affordable, lightweight, and resistance to shrinking & swelling.
● Cedar Wood
Cedarwood and its application include; fencing, decking, siding & trim while offers the following advantages; durable, sound resistant, insect repellent, appealing.
● Spruce Wood
Spruce wood is used for indoor and outdoor structures like plywood, decorative veneer, domestic flooring, flooring, and more. The benefits of applying spruce wood include; lightweight, even texture, strength, etc.
● Douglas Fir
This type of wood is a good choice for residential construction due to its building structure. Its wood is really easy to work with. Also, it has fewer tight knots, consistent fibers, and an unparalleled amount of elasticity. If you’re starting a new residential construction project, you can never go wrong with Douglas fir.
Hardwood
● Teak Wood
The application of teak wood includes; indoor flooring, countertops, cutting boards, and more, while the advantages include; moisture resistance, resistance to light & heat, insect resistance, etc.
● Rose Wood
Rosewood is high-quality lumber mainly used for making top-quality furniture, and the benefits include; durability, rich coloring, fragrant scent, and more.
● White Oak Wood
The most common application of this wood include; flooring, paneling, decking, and more. The benefits white oak wood has to offer are long-lasting, attractive, wood grain, reliable, etc.
● Maple Wood
Maple wood is used in the following areas; flooring, cabinetry, kitchen accessories, & furniture. It also has to offer significant benefits: full and uniform color, resistance to decay, long-lasting, and more.
● Ash Wood
Ashwood is another exceptional hardwood commonly used for making flooring, doors, architectural molding, window frames, and more. The list of advantages includes; elastic, good eco-balance, ease to process, etc.
● Mango Wood
Mango wood is a widely used wood for building houses. It can also be used for making chairs, stools, closets, sideboards, and more. It is straightforward to work and also provides a tremendous amount of water resistance.
● Pressure-Treated Lumber
This type of wood is excellent for protecting against termites, fungal decay and is rot-resistant. It is highly recommended for applications where wood is complicated to replace or maintain.
Easy guide to implement the types of wood used for building houses
People use a variety of wood to build houses. And it all depends on your purpose. If you are planning to build a permanent home, like an airplane hangar, you would need something stronger and sturdier. And the best choice is hardwood.
But, if you are planning to build a mobile home that will be moved around, for instance, you would go for something lighter such as pine wood.
Price comparison
There is considerable variation in the quality of wood and knowing what you want can help you get price comparisons.
The traditional house plan has always been two-story dwellings that include a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, and a garage.
These days, however, there is more variety. You can get price quotes on kit houses that come with pre-cut materials. For example, if you want to build houses out of cedar, plywood, siding, or vinyl, you can purchase building materials separately.
If you want to create a colonial-style residence complete with hardwood floors, well, you will have to buy the entire kit.
If you’re building a two-story, colonial-style residence, you may be able to find wooden houses made in the style that you are looking for at your local lumberyard. You can also look online and browse through many homebuilding catalogs.
Although the internet offers a wide selection of kits, the selection of wood materials varies greatly. Some suppliers offer only cedar wood for construction, for example, while others offer all kinds of vinyl products such as PVC pipe.
Naturally, the price of construction materials, whether they are wooden houses made traditionally or manufactured in a new-and-improved factory, will vary accordingly.
So how do you get price comparisons when purchasing the types of wood used for building houses?
One option is to ask friends and family if they have used a particular supplier in the past. Another option is to search online and read reviews. There is no better way to get price information than by asking people who have built prefabricated timber houses themselves.
Another way to get price quotes is to visit your local building supply store. A good rule of thumb is to assume that suppliers will charge the same price no matter which type of construction they are involved in.
A good supply store should have brochures and catalogs available for browsing. It is also a clever idea to ask if the company can make special orders so that you don’t waste your money making a wooden house that is not suitable for your needs. Finally, if you don’t have a lot of time, it’s worth asking if there is a bulk-order option.
Many suppliers will be happy to help you get started in your new construction activity.
Remember that you need special permits
Don’t forget that you need to get special permits before putting up any wood structure, even if you are using wood as the main material.
Check with your local authorities to make sure that you do not break any municipal rules. While you are at it, also check with the local authorities if you need any environmental approval to build any form of heating or cooling system in your new home.
A good set of plans will help you design your house to the correct scale, which is particularly important for its durability. You can choose from many unique designs and materials, such as cedar, pine, fir, and vinyl, just to name a few.
Get Professional Assistance When Needed
Learn everything you need to know about the different types of wood used for building houses when working with a professional. Whenever you need professional assistance to choose the right type of wood for your projects, give us a call to set a free consultation.