Woodworking Joinery: Basic and Beyond

Woodworking joinery simply means fastening of different wooden pieces to come up with a fine structure like toys, furniture, and other fixtures. The dependability and strength of the item is dependent on the consistency and quality of the material utilized in the process of joinery. The item can be of several varieties of materials and these wooden elements vary extensively in terms of the requirement of joinery work. There are some common classifications and styles used in the joinery works like:

·         RABBET JOINERY: This type of joinery has a mark highlighted in the edge direction of a wooden element to make it double sided and leaving it open at the end surface. This appears like a slit that is cut into the edges of the surface wood. You can witness rabbet joinery in cabinets and it is basically utilized for the back panel to make it a lot sturdy.

Rabbet joints - source freeplans.com

·         BUTT JOINERY: This type of joinery is utilized when there is no requirement of strong joints. A heavy stroke with the use of hands is enough to break the joints. Further, the butt joint is done when you meet the two ends by means of fastening agents like glue or wooden epoxy. To be able to get a better texture, the board should be in perfect squares. Hence, you should apply more than the desired amount. You can utilize the screws or nails hammered for efficient board dependability since the glue fixing may not be a bit sturdy.

Butt joint - source quiet-corner.com

·         LAP JOINERY: Lap joinery is a complicated type of joinery mainly utilized in the prototype of cabinet frames. There are a lot of lap joinery modifications like the cross lap, mitred lap, end lap, dovetail lap, and half lap. Among them, the half lap is more commonly used in the construction industry. In this class of joinery, the material is taken out from every piece to be able to give a same thickness at the end of the joint accumulated. In other words, both wooden pieces will be joined that are of similar thickness. The half joinery is constructed with a fastener or dowel pin.

Half lap joint - source woodmagazine.com

·         HOUSING JOINERY: A housing joinery is constructed when two wooden elements are bonded at desired angles by cutting a die in one piece and putting the other one by means of insertion in the slit. This is commonly appreciated as the strongest modification of joinery. Further, the housing joinery can be witnessed in furniture shelves, bookshelves, and drawer types. In such pieces, the wooded front edge will cut perpendicularly and the other wood piece will be put inside the slit. Its thickness is just one-third of the entire wooden element joint.

Housing joint - source http://wiki.dtonline.org

It is regarded that joinery is a type of art that enhances the beauty of wood. Wooden products and other wooden furniture will boost the appeal of your office or house. To be able to achieve the desired utility of any wooden items, you have to talk to an expert who can produce the product with precision and accurate masterful work.

At Kaltimber, all of our joinery are hand made by master carpenters with many years of experience.

How to Get Rid of Wood Pests

You might not have an idea that your home might be a pest colony! Does it entertain wood-eating insects? If your answer is yes, then you are in a bit of a trouble because these wood-dependent insects can supply you a great damage and serious injury, not only to your precious wooden panels and antique wooden furniture but your entire home and wood products as well. Worst case scenario, they may even cause serious structural issues to your property, often needing substantial amount of money for repairs.

It is a known fact that a man’s home is his castle and the family’s  pride. It is considered to be a treasured kind of investment - the culmination of years of hard work, meticulous planning and attention even to the smallest detail. But, this pricey and beautiful home can literally come in to pieces any minute because of neglect to these wood pests.

Without you knowing it, your home could be a colony of wood insects and pests that is consequently ruining your priced property. These wood insects could eat up your home and your money savings in a matter of time -thereby inflicting large damages to your wooden doors and windows, panels and other wooden ornaments.

With the shortage of excellent quality woods at this point in time, there is no telling what would be left after such damage. Or even, there is no idea if your house is still standing. Are you in for this issue?

Termites feasting on wood

Two of the most ordinary wood-destroying pests are powderpost beetles and drywood termites. They are social pests that comprise a large colony. The queen lays tons of eggs that hatch in a couple of months. Winged termites later leave the pest colony to begin a new community but the worker termites reinforce large tunnels looking for food, of course, with your house as the main entrée.

Powderpost beetle is the term used to describe some species of wood-boring pests that diminishes wood to a flour-like element. Similar to termites, they build tunnels in the wood as they feed and can settle for a long period of time without people knowing; resulting in significant damage to your home and furniture.

Having said that, listed below are some guidelines and parameters on how to save your wooden properties, real and personal:

·         You need to seek help from experts to save your home. Try to mull over different types of treatment methods and their warranties. Know each feature and the effects of it. You also have to know the duration of treatment. In this regard, you can be able to obtain the most efficient and effective service.

·         Another important thing is the cost and duration of services. We all know that services can be a bit pricey nowadays, but having an efficient type of service that can promise you a lasting solution can be totally worth it even though you spend significant amount of money.

·         We, at Kaltimber, recommend a natural product called Freemite for either pre and post installation treatments.

By following these simple advices, you can be able to sleep soundly without thinking of your wooden insect friends that might possibly ruin your future.

Last but not least some termite resistant wood exists, chemically treated or natural. Ulin ironwood, as we supply in Kaltimber, is an excellent example of naturally termite resistant hardwood.

A Closer Look at Sustainable Development in Forests - Part 2/2

On the first part of this article, we discussed a bird’s eye view of what sustainable development is, and what difference can it bring to the entire humanity today, and tomorrow. With the conclusion of this article, we focused mainly on how we are going to help propagate and nurture sustainable development so that we can be able to savor it together with the generations of tomorrow, and even the days after it.

Sustainable forest

Truly indeed, the world is facing a serious dilemma of the rising industrialization, but nevertheless, we cannot do anything about it as a person. We cannot deny the fact that industrialization as the years pass by will be inevitable. And I will not be surprised that one day when we wake up we are faced with an unwanted environment - an environment that is not ideal not only to human race, but to all living entities.

But, that is too far. It is very early for all of us to take our worries and scared the soul out of us. Don’t worry my friend. Instead of mulling over and crying about what “might” be the outcome of these inevitable consequences, we will try to help in our own little way. As a person or an individual, instead of wasting resources which are not replaceable, we reuse it. We give another meaning to it.

Now, what I am talking about here? Let’s focus on one specific element on earth – Wood. Do not tell me that wood is not bordering towards extinction? Recent studies have shown that wood production all over the globe has decreased by nearly 6% for the last twenty five years. Imagine a quarter of a century, and a significant decline in wood production has been tallied. It simply means that we use more than we plant. While it is true that it can be replaced, if we do not take care of it or if we do not do something, it will simply die a natural way.

Now, what can you do? Aside from planting from your backyard, the easiest and most practical way of helping a sustainable development is to re-use old reclaimed wood and immortalize it. Your old reclaimed wood can be an accent to your house, or office for that matter - as simple as that. All we have to do is to be creative and resourceful.

Giving another chance for an old wood to be used again is one way to help sustain wood. By not using a new wood element, utilize what is in your backyard or in your barn. There is no restriction. All you need is an imaginative mind and you will realize it is limitless.

Sustainable development after all, is where society can enhance and supply sufficient resources for everyone without the need to use irreplaceable and toxic resources to maintain it. A great challenge to almost eight billion people all over the globe – I have given you some options. Gather your old wood and use it to the fullest!

Hardwood harbor ready to be dismantled and given a new life!

A closer look at sustainable development in forests - Part 1/2

Close your eyes and imagine a pristine forest, unadulterated by man’s hands, the natural ecological system regenerates automatically then sustaining all forms of life inside the extraordinary environment, without damaging the living ecosystem. This, my friend, is regarded to as sustainable development where the ecological system regenerates without damage.

Pristine forest

In the present realm, this basically means what we utilize is reusable or recyclable without needing to cause harm the true environmental equilibrium. Bottles are recycled, car parts are reused for other purposes and in economic state, a sound monetary system guarantees sufficient for all, but within specific limits. Energy is the key to building a sustainable community because fossil fuels are not reusable, and as soon as it is extracted and utilized, it is not replaceable. In a world which is practically dependent on these fuels, communities cannot be sustained in due time, and in the long run will surely face dilemma and drastic change, unless there will be an alternative resource. One primary factor sustainable development involves the utilization of energies that are recyclable or reusable or simply infinite and abundant like wind or solar energy.

Our way of living, accept and work the restrictions of the resources, are also main contribution to sustainable community, like a living forest that adapts with nature, instead of rapidly developing but quickly deteriorating. This practically means that the characteristic of a sustainable community are of one that savors natural energies, while modifies around the environment it settles.

Evidence of sustainable communities are very prevalent in our rich history, the plain Indians survived the immaculate plains of North America, together with the wolf and buffalo packs. This so-called ecological balance was upset with the destruction of these tribes in the early 19th century, and coincided with the extinction of the wolf and buffalo populace. Some experts say this extinct community was primitive. However, evidence has shown that it survived for thousands of years and generations. Hence, the community that replaced it presently experiences a crisis in sustainable development, only about less than two hundred years later.

There are several sustainable societies in the 21st century, but some nation like Brazil is a lot more sustainable as compared to other nations. Brazil imports a small amount of oil, but it operates a gigantic transport system on alternative resources like palm oil. They are very resourceful in using reclaimed wood, giving life to an old wood which in some countries are considered garbage or thrash. Ecological friendly communities slowly developing around nurturing the surrounding instead of exploiting it with a dilemma of rising industrialization – this is the problem we are facing right now.

The second part of this article will focus on the balance between industrialization and sustaining the nature’s ecological system. Ecological balance is at the edge of the cliff. How do we contribute, as a person in sustainable development without restricting the industrialization of the world? How can we be able to take part in preserving the natural gift?

Engineered Lumber: Products to make your building construction easy

Engineered lumber has several benefits as compared to sawn lumber. Also known as engineered wood, it is a man-made wood element that incorporates binding together wood elements with adhesives that are water proof.

Engineered to particular design disciplines, engineered lumber comes in different products, formats and sizes and is tailored for utilization in commercial and residential buildings.

Tried and tested to meet desired standards in National Building Code, it supplies ultimate strength tolerances as compared to solid wood. It is considered to be one of the most economical and green friendly materials available. Trees with smaller diameter are utilized in the manufacture of engineered lumber, thus making use of components that is regarded as waste in traditional logging industry. Several products that manifest this characteristic are laminated veneer lumber, i-joists, and rim board.

engineered beams

LAMINATED VENEER LUMBER: Laminated Veneer Lumber comes from several layers of thin wood fastened by water proof adhesive. This kind of wood is cured with the use of high pressure to come up with a wood product that is stronger, straighter and uniform as compared to sized milled wood.

Just like joists, laminated veneer lumber is less prone to split, twist, shrinkage, check and bow. This is because of its design and the process of manufacturing. This type of wood is available in several widths, lengths, and depths. Laminated veneer wood is tailored to be utilized for spans, beams, and headers carrying heavy loads.

I-JOISTS. These type of engineered lumber were invented in the late 60s, are specifically tailored for use as roofing and floor joists. I-joists are ultimately strong for their weight and size. It varies in depths ranging from 9.25 inches to 28 inches and lengths up to 56 inches. I-joists are designed to maximum its compressible strength to support heavy loads destined for long spans.

I-joists supplements tons of benefits as compared to traditional dimensional lumber. These comprise not twisting, splitting, bowing, or accumulating a crown. This is because of the fact that I-joists are more dimensionally stable as compared to regular wood beams. These engineered i-joists do not shrink. In result, you say goodbye to squeaky floors. Further, i-joists performance to light weight ration, gives freedom for faster construction.

RIM BOARD: Rim board is another type of engineered wood utilized by contractors to ease up construction of buildings and houses. Used as frame of the flooring system, rim board is placed around the perimeter of the floor to surround the joists. The rim board supplies a flat surface allowing either exterior or cladding to construct easily.

This type of engineered wood is made up of large cuts of wood flakes, which is cured using extreme pressure to come up with a product that is install-friendly and easy to handle. Rim board is manufactured in depths that are in coherence with i-joists, taking away extra time and work needed to cut traditional lumber on site. It also decreases the possibility of making mistakes in cutting and measuring.

These engineered wood products are very helpful in flooring and roofing system because it simplify construction and is cost economic. It also provides added strength to your building.

Tips and Tricks for Wood Stove Owners - Part 2

The first part of this article had taught us the ins and outs of using wood burning stove. It also supply us the types of woods and such tricks that may be used to aid us in operating your wood stove in a proper manner. The second part will pay close attention on its proper maintenance so that your place will not only be environmentally sound, but it will also prolong the use of your apparatus and have it immortalized. It will also be visually appealing to people around you.

Antique wood stove

Wood stove can aid you in a lot of ways. As soon as you purchase them, you might get used to how wood stove must be maintain and operate. Manuals are usually prevalent upon some purchases but if you do not have one, you have to ensure in finding alternative instructions to make your stove up and running.

Aside from securing manuals and guidelines on how to maintain it, you also have to know the proper ways on how to clean it and the elements and chemicals that will be used in cleaning. Some wood stoves are a bit sensitive to chemicals because when you use it again, there is a tendency that it will react with fire. A good detergent soap can simply be used and rinse it safely. Use a damp cloth to dry your stove so that it can be able to proceed with heating in no time.

You should be familiar with your wood stove unit because these apparatuses are a bit pricey that is why no person should take them for granted. Knowing how to operate it is not the only essential thing that you should be able to know. You must also have an idea on how to clean it properly. Cleaning your wood stove on a regular basis foes not only make your community environment sanitized. It can also aid you in staying away from fire accidents and untoward circumstances which may be brought about by the accumulation of residues from wood burning. With the tips and tricks that have supplied to you, you can now be able to utilize your new or second-hand wood burning stove and reap the benefits it can supply not only you and your business, but more importantly, your family.

At the end of the day, when we are familiar with these tips and tricks, using your wood stove is as easy as ABC. Aside from being cost efficient, it will also give you natural warmth and flavor at your home. Imagine the aroma that will circulate inside your home with the food that you will be eating and the heat that you will be feeling during cold nights. It may be a bit of a daunting task, but surely, nothing beats a natural take on this instead of using digital system and advance technology for heating.

Just remember that you cannot trade natural ambiance from artificial ones that will not give you the desire that you are eyeing.

Tips and Tricks for Wood Stove Owners

A wood stove or a wood-burning stove has a lot of uses. Despite the growing technology that we experience today, the effectiveness of these wood burning stoves are still immeasurable. The world as of the moment is electric and gas stove dependent. There are some which are digital just like you operate your cellphones. If you would have the chance to talk with people from earlier generations, the high technology devices which were invented in our era never tickled their imagination. Still, it is very efficient to find out that a lot of people nowadays are still utilizing wood stoves in their homes. This may be because of the fact that not all people in this very world are fond of accepting fast rising technology. This may also be because it has been a healthy habit to use wood stoves in their house or business.

Two of the purposes of wood burning stoves are destined for cooking or for heating element at home such as fireplaces. A lot of business nowadays is still using them for cooking food and to make their stores warm during the cold season. Whatever the purpose of these wood burning stoves can be, they are still regarded as effective. People who have been in to wood stoves for a long period of time are, basically, knowledgeable in terms of using wood burning stoves and maintaining them.

Wood stove in action!

For those who are eyeing to purchase their own wood stove, or for those who knows more about maintaining it, here are some tips and tricks:

If you already possess a wood stove, you have to ensure that you abide all the guidelines which will be given to you in the form of a manual. If you purchased a second-hand stove, ask the seller about the essentials on how to use it so you will have general information on how to use it especially if it is an earlier model. It is a bit hard to find instructions online or from other wood stove aficionados on how to use it if the model is a bit obsolete as compared to what we have today.

At this point in time, when you already have your wood burning stove initialized, the next thing that you should be able to know is the classification of wood that you should utilize as fuel. What is proper for you to utilize in your chimneys is always similar with what you will use in your wood stove.  Seasoned and dried wood is the way to go.

These are slow-burning and dry wood which are excellent for your wood stove especially if you want a continuous and hot fire. Wood like eucalyptus, oak, apple and maple have a intensified BTU or more commonly known as British Thermal Unit, thus producing longer and hotter flames. If you are short of finances to purchase seasoned wood, you can purchase green wood and process it yourself. But, doing so is a bit of time-consuming and is not energy-saving. You should also stay away from using green wood because they will leave a lot of remnants which are very complicated to maintain. As soon as you have the proper classification of wood with you, you can begin creating your fire. Similarly, you have to perform the proper method of maintaining and creating fire. Initially, you have to put on a minimal woof to burn and accumulate charcoal for fast fire-making and to produce continuous source of fire and heat. After these steps, you can maintain the fire by slowly putting bigger logs to your stove.

A look beyond the promise and assurance of wood flooring - Part 2/2

And now, we go to the most important part of the wood flooring’s feature:

I. Wood Flooring is susceptible to ageing. Ageing to wood floors simply relates to losing its luster over time because of the wood’s wear and tear. Say for example, if “your carpet has aged”, you would think that it is time to purchase and replace it with a new carpet. But, one of the most extraordinary characteristic of wood flooring is its capability to appear better with age. Wood floors already come with tons of natural features and charm. With appropriate maintenance, normal traffic and use should just enhance the beautiful appearance of your wood flooring. A real wood floor can be refinished to immortalize its original shine and luster. This is a characteristic that cannot be done on wood-like products like laminate, porcelain and vinyl.

These are all efficient features, but what I really want to pay close attention on this next part of the article is the photo-sensitivity of wood floors. Wood has the tendency to color over time when exposed to elements like the sunlight. To tell you the truth, some wood flooring can eat up about eighteen (18) months to mature and bloom into its full color. Other floor coverings, however, might be prone to discoloration and fading when exposed to prolong heat of the sun. So while it is true that other wood floors look older over time, it beautifies wood flooring, giving them freedom to attain their full potential and exude elegance with their true color. This is a crucial attribute for consumers because a freshly installed floor might not always appear like the samples you witness in the show room, which has attain to reach its full color.

Consumers also must be very vigilant and sensitive about moving their furniture and area rugs to stay away from untoward discoloration. Exotic hardwoods and natural finish hardwoods are considered to be the most photosensitive. A lot of hardwoods darken and appears to be bolder over time, but some wood elements like Mahogany basically gets lighter with the heat of the sun. If you are truly concern on how sunlight will affect on your floor, buy a hardwood that has been colored with a darker wood stain, or buy wood classes like Northern Red Oak which is less photosensitive as compared to other species.

II. Wood Floors are susceptible to Moisture. Wood flooring are known to be overly sensitive to moisture. That comprises changes in subfloor moisture, humidity, and surface moisture. Damages because of moisture related concerns can result in cracking, buckling and cupping of wood planks. It is fundamental to get the services of an expert installation team that is common with wood and its reaction to moisture. Appropriate maintenance by the consumer is similarly essential. Standing water should be immediately taken out. You have to ensure that wood flooring should be maintained in a climate-controlled environment.

One tip to fight the reactions of moisture on your wood floor is to select engineered wood flooring. This kind of wood flooring is an excellent choice over solid, because its construction incorporates dimensional stability to the wooden planks. The layers of ply boards beneath the veneer are laid cross ways, minimizing the ability of the wood to contract and expand together with the grains when there is a sudden change in level of moisture.

Moisture damage on wooden flooring