Hardwood Timber
- Tropical hardwoods: From trees found in tropical regions, known for their exceptional durability, strength, and aesthetic appeal. Examples include mahogany, teak, and ebony.
- Temperate hardwoods: From trees found in temperate regions, generally less durable and strong than tropical hardwoods. Examples include oak, maple, and cherry.
Softwood Timber
- Conifers (needle-leaf trees): Trees typically with needle-like leaves and woody cones, such as pine, fir, and spruce. Softwood timber is lightweight and strong, making it suitable for construction and other applications.
- Non-conifers (broad-leaf trees): Trees that do not have needle-like leaves, such as poplar, aspen, and willow. Softwood timber from non-conifers is typically less durable than conifers.
Speciality Timber
- Exotic hardwoods: Rare and aesthetically unique hardwoods, such as zebrawood, rosewood, and padauk. They are highly valued for their distinct colors, patterns, and durability.
- Plywood: A manufactured board made by layering thin sheets of wood veneer with adhesive. It is strong, versatile, and commonly used in construction and furniture.
- Oriented strand board (OSB): A manufactured board made from shredded wood strands bonded with adhesive. It is used for structural applications, such as sheathing and subflooring.
- Medium-density fiberboard (MDF): A manufactured board made from fine wood fibers bonded with adhesive. It is smooth, dense, and used for various applications, including furniture, cabinetry, and molding.
Other Types
- Reclaimed timber: Timber that has been reused in new construction or restoration projects. It adds character and historical value to buildings.
- Engineered timber: Timber products that are modified or enhanced to improve their properties, such as strength, durability, or fire resistance. Examples include laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and cross-laminated timber (CLT).
- Composite timber: A mixture of wood fibers and other materials, such as plastics or resins. It offers advantages such as weather resistance, low maintenance, and termite resistance.