A window, or row of windows, in the upper part of a room where it can admit light from above an adjacent roof
A comprehensive guide to the most common timber terms from A to Z.
Clerestory
Close- Grained Wood
Wood with narrow, inconspicuous growth rings. The term is sometimes used to designate wood having small and closely spaced pores, but in this sense the term "fine textured" is more often used.
Coach Screw
Similar to a wood screw except larger and with a hexagonal head so that it can be turned with a spanner.
Coarse-Grained Wood
Wood with wide conspicuous growth rings in which there is considerable difference between earlywood and latewood. The term is sometimes used to designate wood with large pores, but in this sense the term "coarse textured" is more often used.
Collapse
The flattening of single cells or rows of cells during the drying or pressure treatment of wood. Often characterised by a caved-in or corrugated ("washboarded") appearance of the wood surface.
Collar Tie
A horizontal board that connects pairs of rafters on opposite roof slopes.
Column
A free standing axially loaded compression member, usually vertical.
Compression
A state or condition of being pushed or shortened by a force
Compression Failure
A state or condition of bDeformation or fracture of wood fibres across the grain resulting from excessive compression along the grain. eing pushed or shortened by a force
Compression Seat
A fabricated or cast metal bracket into which timber structural members abut, used to joint timber compression elements to other structural members.
Conditioning Treatment
A treatment applied to equilibrate the moisture content of wood to a particular value.
Conservation
The sustainable use of forest resources in a manner that does not degrade the collective resource values of a region over the long term
Continuity Strap
A piece of flat steel fixed over a butt joint between timber beams to provide a continuos tension connection.
Control Joint
A vertical or horizontal gap, filled or unfilled, to accommodate differential movement between various elements of a construction
Corbel
A length of timber laid horizontally on the top of a column to transfer loads and to provide a seat for beams. A compound corbel includes several lengths of timber instead of one.
Correction
Species - An adjustment of the readings of the resistance-type electrical moisture meter to compensate for different species of wood. Corrections are tabulated in AS/NZS 1080 1:1997 Temperature - An adjustment of the readings of the resistance-type electrical moisture meter to compensate for changes in the temperature of wood. Corrections are tabulated in AS/NZS 1080 1:1997
Coupe
A defined area of forest, usually with consistent characteristics.
Coupler
A metal sleeve threaded internally and used to connect threaded rods or bolts
Creep
Increase in deformation following prolonged loading.
Cripple
A cut in an unseasoned joist, bearer or stud designed to reduce movement in a floor or wall as the structural timber seasons.