Glossary - L

Labeling is a term used to describe the use of a label or certification mark that indicates that the timber product has been produced from a certified forest and the chain of custody verified. Labeling in this way relates only to the how the timber has been grown and manufactured, not the quality of the product or its fitness for purpose.

A built up product made of layers or laminations of wood, all with the grain laid parallel and glued or otherwise fastened together. Laminating timber allows large and structurally reliable sections to be built up from small, high quality pieces

A structural lumber manufactured from veneers laminated into a panel with the grain of all the veneers running parallel to each other. More on LVL   

A joint made by placing one member partly over another and bonding the overlapped portions

Energy required to vaporise liquid water without increasing its temperature.

A force applied horizontally to a structure in any direction, such as a force caused by wind or earthquake action

Movement in a structure that is perpendicular to the major axis of loading, i.e. usually horizontal movement

The denser wood formed during the later stages of growth of each annual ring. Also called "summerwood".

Perfectly horizontal

Life Cycle Assessment is a process to: evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, process, or activity by identifying and quantifying energy and materials used and wastes released to the environment, assess the impact of those energy and materials used and releases to the environment; and identify and evaluate opportunities to affect environmental improvements. The assessment includes the entire life cycle of the product, process or activity, encompassing, extracting and processing raw materials; manufacturing, transportation and distribution; use, re-use, maintenance; recycling, and final disposal.  

The total energy consumed by a building during its life-cycle (including manufacture of materials, construction, in-use, renovation, and demolition) derived from non-renewable resources. It includes the embodied energy of the building components. Life-cycle energy is usually expressed in terms of source energy that is, the energy content of the primary fuel before generation, distribution and other losses.

A horizontal element below a window that reflects direct sunlight up onto a ceiling surface

The covering of internal walls and ceilings of a building. Timber linings include sawn and profiled solid timber, plywood, medium density fibre and other materials.

The total variable weight on a structure. It includes the weights of people, furnishings, snow, wind and earthquake.

Generally parallel to the direction of the wood fibres.

The fabrication of timber elements off site so that they are finished but not connected together until on site just prior to installation

Light organic solvent preservative. a wood preservative

A North American synonym for timber.

In wood anatomy, the cell cavity.

A wood borer, sometimes known as the powder post borer, that can attack some hardwoods.

Timber is classified according to its susceptibility to attack by lyctid borer. Legislation governs the sale and use of lyctid susceptible timber in NSW and Queensland; Australian Standards limit the use of lyctid susceptible sapwood throughout Australia.