> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.betterbuilding.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.betterbuilding.io/support-and-training/other-support/platform-generic-material-data/timber.md).

# Timber

## Engineered Wood Products & Solid Wood

### Cross Laminated Timber

Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) is an engineered wood product manufactured by laminating multiple layers of solid sawn lumber or engineered lumber in alternating perpendicular directions. This cross-lamination creates a dimensionally stable, high-strength structural panel suitable for a wide range of applications in construction.

#### **Basic Information**

| Property             | Value                                                        |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Type                 | Engineered Wood / Structural Panel                           |
| Thickness (m)        | 0.135                                                        |
| Thickness (mm)       | 135.0                                                        |
| Colour               | Dark Blue                                                    |
| Primary Applications | Structural framing, floor systems, wall panels, roof decking |

#### **Thermal Properties**

| Property                     | Metric          | Imperial               |
| ---------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------- |
| Thermal Conductivity         | 0.098 W/(m·K)   | 0.57 BTU·in/(h·ft²·°F) |
| Specific Heat Capacity       | 1300 J/(kg·K)   | 0.31 BTU/(lb·°F)       |
| Density                      | 410 kg/m³       | 25.6 lb/ft³            |
| Thermal Resistance (R-value) | 1.377 m²·K/W    | 7.82 ft²·°F·h/BTU      |
| Heat Capacity (per m²)       | 13.65 kJ/(m²·K) | 2.40 BTU/(ft²·°F)      |

#### **Vapour Properties**

| Property                                     | Value                  |
| -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------- |
| Water Vapour Diffusion Resistance Factor (µ) | 500.0                  |
| Equivalent Air Layer Thickness (sd-value)    | 67.5 m                 |
| Vapor Resistivity                            | 2500.00 MNs/gm         |
| Vapor Resistance                             | 337.50 MN.s/g          |
| Classification                               | Class I Vapor Retarder |

***

### Oriented Strand Board (OSB)

Oriented Strand Board combines wood strands bonded with phenol-formaldehyde resin in layers oriented perpendicular to provide strength in multiple directions. Typical applications include structural sheathing, subflooring, wall bracing, and roof decking. 12.5mm thickness represents 1/2" standard sheathing. High µ-value of 812.8 provides significant vapor barrier function requiring ventilation design. Suitable for exterior applications when protected with proper drainage plane. Cost-effective alternative to plywood with similar structural performance. Moisture content affects dimensional stability and thermal properties. Requires edge sealing in wet applications.

#### **Basic Information**

| Property             | Value                                                         |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Type                 | Engineered Wood / Structural Sheathing                        |
| Thickness (m)        | 0.0125                                                        |
| Thickness (mm)       | 12.5                                                          |
| Thickness (inches)   | 0.492"                                                        |
| Colour               | Natural Wood / Tan                                            |
| Primary Applications | Structural sheathing, subflooring, wall bracing, roof decking |

#### **Thermal Properties**

| Property                     | Metric          | Imperial               |
| ---------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------- |
| Thermal Conductivity         | 0.092 W/(m·K)   | 0.53 BTU·in/(h·ft²·°F) |
| Specific Heat Capacity       | 1880 J/(kg·K)   | 0.45 BTU/(lb·°F)       |
| Density                      | 650 kg/m³       | 40.6 lb/ft³            |
| Thermal Resistance (R-value) | 0.14 m²·K/W     | 0.79 ft²·°F·h/BTU      |
| Heat Capacity (per m²)       | 15.31 kJ/(m²·K) | 2.69 BTU/(ft²·°F)      |

#### **Vapour Properties**

| Property                                     | Value                   |
| -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Water Vapour Diffusion Resistance Factor (µ) | 812.8                   |
| sd-value                                     | 10.16 m                 |
| Vapor Resistivity                            | 4064.00 MNs/gm          |
| Vapor Resistance                             | 50.80 MN.s/g            |
| Perm Rating                                  | 0.07 perms              |
| Classification                               | Class II Vapor Retarder |

***

### Plywood

Plywood consists of cross-laminated veneers bonded with phenol-formaldehyde or urea-formaldehyde resin providing strength and stability in multiple directions. 10mm thickness represents 3/8" standard sheathing. Lower µ-value of 274 compared to OSB allows slightly more vapor transmission. Suitable for structural sheathing, subflooring, and interior applications. Vapor permeability varies by veneer orientation and adhesive type. Superior strength-to-weight ratio compared to solid wood. Moisture absorption requires protection from prolonged wetting. Excellent dimensional stability when properly acclimated.

#### **Basic Information**

| Property             | Value                                                         |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Type                 | Engineered Wood / Sheathing                                   |
| Thickness (m)        | 0.010                                                         |
| Thickness (mm)       | 10.0                                                          |
| Thickness (inches)   | 0.394"                                                        |
| Colour               | Natural Wood / Tan                                            |
| Primary Applications | Structural sheathing, subflooring, wall bracing, roof decking |

#### **Thermal Properties**

| Property                     | Metric          | Imperial               |
| ---------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------- |
| Thermal Conductivity         | 0.15 W/(m·K)    | 0.87 BTU·in/(h·ft²·°F) |
| Specific Heat Capacity       | 1500 J/(kg·K)   | 0.36 BTU/(lb·°F)       |
| Density                      | 700 kg/m³       | 43.7 lb/ft³            |
| Thermal Resistance (R-value) | 0.07 m²·K/W     | 0.38 ft²·°F·h/BTU      |
| Heat Capacity (per m²)       | 10.50 kJ/(m²·K) | 1.85 BTU/(ft²·°F)      |

#### **Vapour Properties**

| Property                                     | Value                   |
| -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Water Vapour Diffusion Resistance Factor (µ) | 274.0                   |
| sd-value                                     | 2.74 m                  |
| Vapor Resistivity                            | 1370.00 MNs/gm          |
| Vapor Resistance                             | 13.70 MN.s/g            |
| Perm Rating                                  | 0.22 perms              |
| Classification                               | Class II Vapor Retarder |

***

### Softwood

Softwood represents solid lumber from coniferous species (pine, fir, spruce) used for structural and finish applications. Typical thickness 19mm represents 3/4" standard board. Lower density of 400 kg/m³ provides moderate insulation value. The µ-value of 200 provides moderate vapor resistance suitable for breathable construction. Strength properties vary by species, grade, and moisture content. Moisture content 6-9% recommended for interior use. Dimensional stability affected by moisture changes requiring proper acclimation. Excellent workability and availability. Common structural member in residential construction.

#### **Basic Information**

| Property             | Value                                                        |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Type                 | Solid Wood / Structural Lumber                               |
| Thickness (m)        | 0.019                                                        |
| Thickness (mm)       | 19.0                                                         |
| Thickness (inches)   | 0.748"                                                       |
| Colour               | Yellow, Light Brown                                          |
| Primary Applications | Structural framing, cladding, finish carpentry, roof decking |

#### **Thermal Properties**

| Property                     | Metric          | Imperial               |
| ---------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------- |
| Thermal Conductivity         | 0.09 W/(m·K)    | 0.52 BTU·in/(h·ft²·°F) |
| Specific Heat Capacity       | 1400 J/(kg·K)   | 0.33 BTU/(lb·°F)       |
| Density                      | 400 kg/m³       | 25.0 lb/ft³            |
| Thermal Resistance (R-value) | 0.21 m²·K/W     | 1.20 ft²·°F·h/BTU      |
| Heat Capacity (per m²)       | 10.64 kJ/(m²·K) | 1.87 BTU/(ft²·°F)      |

#### **Vapour Properties**

| Property                                     | Value                   |
| -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Water Vapour Diffusion Resistance Factor (µ) | 200.0                   |
| sd-value                                     | 3.8 m                   |
| Vapor Resistivity                            | 1000.00 MNs/gm          |
| Vapor Resistance                             | 19.00 MN.s/g            |
| Perm Rating                                  | 0.30 perms              |
| Classification                               | Class II Vapor Retarder |

***

### Hardwood

Hardwood represents solid lumber from deciduous species (oak, maple, walnut) used primarily for finish and specialty applications. Typical thickness 19mm represents 3/4" standard flooring or board. Higher density of 650 kg/m³ compared to softwood provides greater thermal mass. The µ-value of 200 matches softwood for moderate vapor resistance. Excellent durability and aesthetic qualities. Moisture content 6-9% recommended for interior use. Dimensional stability better than softwood but still affected by moisture. Premium cost limits structural applications. Superior workability and finish quality. Superior strength and hardness properties.

#### **Basic Information**

| Property             | Value                                                  |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| Type                 | Solid Wood / Flooring & Specialty                      |
| Thickness (m)        | 0.019                                                  |
| Thickness (mm)       | 19.0                                                   |
| Thickness (inches)   | 0.748"                                                 |
| Colour               | Variable (Oak, Walnut, Maple, etc.)                    |
| Primary Applications | Flooring, cladding, structural beams, finish carpentry |

#### **Thermal Properties**

| Property                     | Metric          | Imperial               |
| ---------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------- |
| Thermal Conductivity         | 0.13 W/(m·K)    | 0.75 BTU·in/(h·ft²·°F) |
| Specific Heat Capacity       | 1400 J/(kg·K)   | 0.33 BTU/(lb·°F)       |
| Density                      | 650 kg/m³       | 40.6 lb/ft³            |
| Thermal Resistance (R-value) | 0.15 m²·K/W     | 0.83 ft²·°F·h/BTU      |
| Heat Capacity (per m²)       | 17.33 kJ/(m²·K) | 3.05 BTU/(ft²·°F)      |

#### **Vapour Properties**

| Property                                     | Value                   |
| -------------------------------------------- | ----------------------- |
| Water Vapour Diffusion Resistance Factor (µ) | 200.0                   |
| sd-value                                     | 3.8 m                   |
| Vapor Resistivity                            | 1000.00 MNs/gm          |
| Vapor Resistance                             | 19.00 MN.s/g            |
| Perm Rating                                  | 0.30 perms              |
| Classification                               | Class II Vapor Retarder |

***

## Natural & Bio-based Insulation

### Cork

Cork represents renewable material harvested from cork oak bark without harming the tree. Typical thickness 60mm represents underlayment or mid-layer insulation applications. Extremely low µ-value of 10 provides excellent vapor permeability suitable for vapor-open systems. Excellent thermal insulation with conductivity 0.043 W/(m·K) among lowest of natural materials. Elastic recovery >90% after compression. Biodegradable and compostable. Superior acoustic absorption 250-2000 Hz. Non-toxic with no off-gassing. FSC certification ensures sustainable sourcing. Flame resistance class B-s1,d0 in European standards. Minimal embodied carbon compared to synthetic insulation.

#### **Basic Information**

| Property             | Value                                                                         |
| -------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Type                 | Natural Insulation / Bio-based                                                |
| Thickness (m)        | 0.060                                                                         |
| Thickness (mm)       | 60.0                                                                          |
| Thickness (inches)   | 2.362"                                                                        |
| Colour               | Light to Medium Brown                                                         |
| Primary Applications | Floor underlayment, thermal insulation, acoustic damping, vibration isolation |

#### **Thermal Properties**

| Property                     | Metric          | Imperial               |
| ---------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------- |
| Thermal Conductivity         | 0.043 W/(m·K)   | 0.25 BTU·in/(h·ft²·°F) |
| Specific Heat Capacity       | 1560 J/(kg·K)   | 0.37 BTU/(lb·°F)       |
| Density                      | 160 kg/m³       | 10.0 lb/ft³            |
| Thermal Resistance (R-value) | 1.40 m²·K/W     | 7.95 ft²·°F·h/BTU      |
| Heat Capacity (per m²)       | 14.98 kJ/(m²·K) | 2.64 BTU/(ft²·°F)      |

#### **Vapour Properties**

| Property                                     | Value                        |
| -------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- |
| Water Vapour Diffusion Resistance Factor (µ) | 10.0                         |
| sd-value                                     | 0.6 m                        |
| Vapor Resistivity                            | 50.00 MNs/gm                 |
| Vapor Resistance                             | 3.00 MN.s/g                  |
| Perm Rating                                  | 5.90 perms                   |
| Classification                               | Class III (Highly Permeable) |


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.betterbuilding.io/support-and-training/other-support/platform-generic-material-data/timber.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
