USE OF WOOD IN HOUSING...!

by Dr. D.Sivaprakasam M.Com.,

M.Phil., B.G.L., PGDCA., Ph.D.,

Principal, Dr. R.A.N.M. Arts and Science College, Erode.

An article from Our Building & Construction, April 2015

MAIN STRUCTURAL ELEMENT

Use of wood in housing is as old as dwellings, dating back to the very first hut that was built with tree branches and leaves.

While history has seen many experiments with wood, where it featured as the main structural element, weaving in intricate geometrical concepts, incorporating arches and round shapes in timber frames, currently its use is more in aesthetics sense than functionality.

COEFFICIENT OF STREGTH...!

Wood features as facade, on ceilings, walls, floors, furniture and artifacts, meeting essentially the aesthetic requirements. Interestingly, every piece of wood has a different coefficient of strength.

The strength is dependent on its usage and seasoning. What sets it apart from other building materials is its beauty warmth and value besides cutting down on carbon emissions when plantation wood is opted for.

RICH LOOK..!

Wood, when used in the interiors as paneling, or as rafters in the ceiling, or heavily in windows, on floors, can add a warmth and old world charm to the decor depending on the manner of depiction.

Furniture made of wood, even sans intricate carving, can lend a rich tone.

When represented in exotic, forms, it appears stately and opulent, totally transforming the decor. Given the extensive use of wood historically in structures and interiors, most of the thematic representations of decor calls for extensive use of timber.

Dr. D.Sivaprakasam

VERSALITY...!

While hardwood tends to last for centuries with little maintenance when seasoned right and kept indoors, wood can also be highly manipulated. It can bebent, sanded, cut, joined and strengthened with pins.

Interestingly, no two pieces of wood are alike, which adds to its versatility. Seasoning of wood can be done artificially as well as naturally though natural seasoning is lengthier, requiring soaking of logs in water and later drying in sunlight. A well-seasoned wood does not warp, bend or slit.

MANNER OF USAGE...!

The manner of usage also determines its strength. For instance, teak yields maximum strength when used vertically while bamboo is totally flexible, allowing any manner of use. Bamboo can be assembled faster than other types of timber and withstands better harsher weather conditions. Teak lends itself to decoration given its natural properties while bamboo serves as an excellent support for roofs when it can serve as structural element for the entire stretch of walls as well as ceiling. Stunning dwellings can be

created using only bamboo.

In rural areas, entire houses are made of bamboo. Bamboo is also excellent fat creating exotic varieties of furniture and artefacts, Bamboo roots come in exquisite shapes that lead themselves to creating mindbogging varieties of art pieces and furniture.

OTHER VARIETIES...!

Some of the early uses of timber veered around mahogany, ebony, rose, teak camphor and walnut. These varieties were crafted to reflect superb craftsmanship.

Rosewood, teak and walnut are still sparingly used though the opulent mahogany and the queen of timber, ebony, have gone completely out of circulation, with ebony now listed under the preserved category. The black-coloured ebony is also credited with healing properties, manifesting as hand railings in mansions.

Interestingly, only a small portion of ebony’s trunk forms the core of the timber with the rest assuming a lighter shade. Paduk is another interesting variety of timber found in the forests of Andaman and is unique as it is grown only in this region.

The rare Paduk, referred as the chameleon of timber, has an interesting characteristic of losing its colour completely when exposed to sunlight and regaining it once brought back under shade.

NEW VATIETIES...!

Many new varieties of timber have now come to be used, each with their own unique individual characteristics, notable ones being sal wood, beach wood, steam wood, American walnut, and rubber wood, Cane too has come to occupy a significant space in timber varieties on account of its lightness.

Thus, there are different varieties of wood which suit to the needs of rich or middle or poor ever

Other Major Matters in April 2015 Issue

* EMERGING CONCEPTS UNDER URBAN TRANSFORMATION

* Elevator in Danger Like Action Movies?

* PROPERTY TRANSACTION: Importance of Legal Agreement..!

* Housing For All By 2022 in India:Far-Fetched Or Feasible?

* Regular Feature - Home Plan

* NEW CREDAI Team

 

B&C Publications

No. 22/2, Welcome Colony, Thirumangalam,

Anna Nagar West, Chennai,

Tamil Nadu - 600 101.

INDIA.

E mail id: bandcpublications@gmail.com

Web Site: www.bandcpublications.com

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