---
title: "Uses of timber and modified timber"
subject: "Civil Engineering Materials"
chapter: 7
key: "semester_3/civil_engineering_materials:uses-of-timber-modified-timber"
source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/uses-of-timber-modified-timber
site: BCT Engineering
---

# Uses of timber and modified timber

Civil Engineering Materials · Chapter 7: Timber

- Asked in: 2076 Asoj, 1+3 marks
- Video: [What is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuAya0hRjwU) — The B1M
- Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14
- Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/uses-of-timber-modified-timber
- Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_3/civil_engineering_materials/chapter-7

## Question

What are the uses of timber? Why is seasoning essential before using? Highlight the new modified timber which is extensively used in our buildings.

## Short answer

Timber is used for doors, windows, roofs, formwork, scaffolding, furniture and piles. Seasoning removes moisture to increase strength, prevent shrinkage, warping and decay, and improve treatment. Modified timber includes plywood, particle board, MDF, block board, glulam and CLT, widely used in buildings.

## Answer

#### Uses of timber
- Doors, windows, frames, shutters and floors.
- Roof members: rafters, purlins, trusses.
- Formwork, scaffolding, props and shoring.
- Piles, sleepers for railways, poles, and bridges.
- Furniture, fittings, partitions and panelling.
- Packing cases, tool handles and pulp for paper.

#### Why seasoning is essential
Seasoning removes the excess moisture so timber becomes lighter, stronger and stable. Unseasoned timber shrinks, warps and cracks after fixing, and rots by fungi and insects. Seasoned timber also takes paint, polish and preservative better.

#### Modified timber (engineered wood) in buildings
Modified timber is made by processing natural wood for better uniformity, strength and durability:
- **Plywood:** veneers glued with grains crossed; for doors, partitions, shuttering.
- **Veneers and laminated board:** thin sheets for facing and decoration.
- **Block board:** wood strips as core with veneers outside.
- **Particle board (chipboard)** and **fibre boards (hardboard, MDF):** made from chips or fibres pressed with resin; for furniture and ceilings.
- **Glued laminated timber (glulam)** and **Cross laminated timber (CLT):** layers of boards glued for large beams and floors.
- **Compressed wood and impregnated wood:** made denser and more durable.

## Check yourself

The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why.

1. Unseasoned timber
   A. Shrinks, warps, cracks and rots
   B. Stays stable
   C. Is stronger
   D. Is lighter
   Answer: A. Needs seasoning. (Key point: Seasoning)

2. Block board has
   A. Resin only
   B. Wood strips as core with veneers outside
   C. Fibres only
   D. Metal core
   Answer: B. Core strips. (Key point: Block board)

3. Fibre boards like MDF are made from
   A. Solid planks
   B. Veneers
   C. Fibres pressed with resin
   D. Bark
   Answer: C. Resin-bonded fibres. (Key point: MDF)

4. Glulam is
   A. Thin sheet
   B. Fibreboard
   C. Chips
   D. Layers of boards glued for large beams and floors
   Answer: D. Laminated. (Key point: Glulam)

## Related in Civil Engineering Materials

- [Why timber is used; seasoning method](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aseasoning-method-and-timber-use) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 7
- [Seasoning of timber and its necessity](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aseasoning-meaning-necessity) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 7, asked 8×
- [Methods of seasoning timber](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Amethods-of-seasoning-timber) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 7, asked 2×
- [Natural versus artificial seasoning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Anatural-artificial-seasoning) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 7
- [Defects caused by seasoning](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aseasoning-defects-timber) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 7
- [Define seasoning, need, methods](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_3%2Fcivil_engineering_materials%3Aseasoning-defined-seasoning-s) — Civil Engineering Materials, chapter 7

## Related in other subjects

- [Seismic strengthening techniques for masonry buildings](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fdesign_of_timber_and_masonry_structures%3Astrengthening-retrofitting-masonry-buildings) — Design of Timber and Masonry Structures, chapter 7
- [Typical damage patterns in masonry buildings](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fdesign_of_timber_and_masonry_structures%3Adamage-patterns-masonry-lateral-loads) — Design of Timber and Masonry Structures, chapter 6
- [Seismic design principles for masonry buildings](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fdesign_of_timber_and_masonry_structures%3Aseismic-design-principles-masonry) — Design of Timber and Masonry Structures, chapter 7
- [Types of factory buildings](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_6%2Findustrial_engineering_and_management%3Atypes-of-factory-building) — Industrial Engineering and Management, chapter 2