Glossary A through L

A grading classification which refers to boards that are of a mixed grain, i.e. includes both flat and vertical grain.

Cupressus nootkatensis or Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) aka Nootka Cypress, Yellow Cypress and Alaska Cypress Alaska yellow-cedar is a coastal, high-elevation, tree species. Despite its name, it is actually a cypress. It is a medium-sized (rarely over 40 meters tall) evergreen. It is one of the slowest growing but most valuable conifers owing to the unique color, texture, and durability of its wood. Alaskan Yellow Cedar is a softwood that is distinctly different from other cedars in its yellow color, dimensional stability, extreme strength and hardness.

see Cedar Decking

Bevel is produced by resawing lumber at an angle to produce two pieces thicker on one edge than the other. The manufacturing process results in pieces with one face saw textured. The other face is smooth or saw textured depending on the grade and customer preference.

Is an exterior treatment of vertical boards with battens covering the seams.

Plywood made from a particularly resilient timber exported from Western Africa with a face veneer commonly known as Okoume.

Available in plain, 4″ OC (on-center) and 8″ OC, 4″ Saw Kerfed, primed or stained

That part of any building that physically separates the exterior environment from the interior environment is called the building enclosure or building envelope. Building envelopes include the exterior walls, foundations, roof, windows and doors.

A process in the manufacturing of composite decking in which the composite core is encapsulated in a tough PVC shell. Some products are capped on three sides, while others are capped on all four sides.

CDX plywood is typically used as wall sheathing and underneath roofing felt and shingles. CDX plywood is moisture resistant but cannot be exposed to water or weather for long periods of time. It is economical because it is made with lower grade material as compared to exterior grade plywood. Consequently, CDX plywood will include some knots and shallow holes in its face and back. To eliminate those imperfections, CDX plywood usually contains a number of characteristic “football patches.”

A patterned shiplapped siding that may be applied vertically or diagonally available in 6″, 8″ or 10″ tight knot.

Board that is usually free of knots. Some lower grades of clear lumber will have minimal knots.

Is a material that is a mixture of wood fiber, plastic, and some type of binding agent. These ingredients are put together to form a material that is in some cases denser, stronger, and heavier than wood alone.

Is an architectural bracket of block projecting from a wall and supporting (or appearing to support) a ceiling, beam or shelf. A corbel can be made of wood, plaster, marble, or other materials.

(Shorea ssp) aka Lauan and Philippine Mahogany is a 100% clear grade hardwood that is native to Southeast Asia. Despite its name, this wood is actually more brown in color.

(Thuja occidentalis) is an arborvitae of eastern North America, which is also called white cedar. It is a small-sized evergreen, averaging 12 meters in height. This rot and insect-resistant wood is used principally for products in contact with water and soil such as rustic fencing, posts and saunas. Other important products include cabin logs, lumber, poles and shingles

These reddish brown stains may appear in several forms. “Diffused” discoloration can result from rain or dew penetration through the finish whereas “rundown” discoloration typically results when water collects on an unfinished surface, such as the back of siding or unprimed ends of boards. Water-based finishes can also dissolve extractives and cause discoloration as a result.

(Swietenia macrophylla) Heartwood reddish, pinkish, salmon colored, or yellowish when fresh; deepening with age to deep rich red or brown; distinct from the yellowish or whitish sapwood. Luster high and golden; texture rather fine to coarse; grain straight to roey, wavy, or curly. Can grow to 150 feet high and six feet in diameter.

Type of tongue and groove siding with a uniform gap where the boards join on the resawn face.

Process by which shorter boards are reassembled into longer boards (typically 16′ -20 lengths) by permanently bonded, precision fitted joints.

Lumber that is sawn approximately parallel to the annual growth rings so that some or all of the rings form an angle of less than 45% with surface of the board.

The Forest Stewardship Council (aka FSC) is an independent, non-governmental, non- profit organization established to promote the responsible management of the world’s forests. The Forest Stewardship Council sets standards for responsible forest management. A voluntary program, FSC uses the power of the marketplace to protect forests for future generations.
https://us.fsc.org/

Is a free standing roofed structure, usually open on all sides.

Lumber with a moisture content over 19%

(Calocedrus decurrens) aka California White Cedar is native to the mountains of the far west. The natural range extends from near the Columbia River in Oregon south to northern Baja California in Mexico and east to western Nevada. The heartwood is a light to medium reddish brown, soft, light, fine grained, and pleasantly aromatic. The wood contains substances that retard decay and repel moths. The wood is traditionally used for cedar chests, siding, interior paneling, shingles, decking, pencils, and fence posts.

(Tabebuia spp.) aka Brazilian Walnut, and Lapacho originate from Central and South America, and have natural properties that make it the toughest and longest lasting materials available. It has an extremely dense and tight grain, which can be wavy and straight. The color tends to be a rich brown with amber and red hues.

A generic reference to a number of woods that have a reputation for hardness.

(Cynometra iripa) Heartwood dark red. Sapwood lighter colored and not well defined. Corewood brown-black or chocolate. Surface not lustrous. Texture moderately fine and even. Grain spiral or shallowly interlocked.

Lumber that is dried in a closed chamber in which the required moisture content (19% or less) is obtained by artificial heat and/or humidity control.

A generic term that refers to a type of siding in which one board overlaps the other. Siding of this type includes:

• Bevel
• Channel
• Pattern