Understanding Timber Durability Classes

With over 73,000 timber species worldwide, it’s understandable that choosing the right timber for your project can be confusing. 

How do you know what timber will be right for your project? Is it durable enough, or will it be an easy target from termites, harsh weather conditions, or simply snap under pressure?

This blog explains what timber durability ratings are, and how they help categorise different timber so you can be sure you’re choosing the right product for the job. 

What are timber durability ratings?

Timber durability ratings help us decide whether a type of timber is suitable for a project or not. Durability comes down to how resistant wood is to various natural stressors over time. The natural durability of timber is classified by the following ratings:

 Class 1

Example: Spotted Gum, Ironbark.

Class one represents the highest durability of natural timber. This means that in normal outdoor above-ground conditions, it should last at least 40 years. Place a piece of Class 1 timber in the ground, and it should have the durability to last at least 25 years. 

Class 1 timbers are best for projects that involve exposure to the elements, in particular in wet and sometimes rainy conditions. Obviously, the drier the timber the longer it lasts, but if you are expecting weather exposure, Class 1 timbers are the most durable. 

 Class 2

Example: Forest Red Gums, Jarrah 

Class 2 timber types have a life expectancy above ground of 15-14 years. In-ground, that number sits lower at 15 to 25 years. Class 2 timbers are extremely durable timbers and are renowned for their long lifespan and beautiful features. 

 Class 3

Example: Western Red Cedar, Tasmanian Oak

Class 3 timber has an average durability, and will last between 7 and 15 years in normal outdoor above-ground conditions, and 5-15 years underground. Class 3 timber is fantastic for indoor and ornamental features, furniture and other purposes. 

Class 4

Example: Scandinavian pine, European Elm 

Class 4 timber has the lowest durability, and will likely last between 0-7 years in above-ground outdoor conditions, while in-ground conditions will likely deteriorate the wood within 5 years. Class 4 timbers, like most softwoods, are still highly useful as structural and building materials, and serve a special purpose in their lightweight and easy-to-work nature. 

Other factors affecting durability 

Timber durability classes aren’t the only thing that affects how long a type of timber will last. The following factors are also extremely important when gauging timber durability:

• Local weather conditions, rain, sun and humidity 
• If and how the timber has been treated to a minimum hazard grade 
• The size of the pieces of timber 
• Possibility of insect attacks

Thermally modified timber 

Timber treatments not only prepare timber for its end use, but they also strengthen the timber via a carefully controlled modification process – the most common being thermal modification. 

By thermally modifying the timber, resins, and other moistures are essentially baked out of the wood, making it more durable and can drastically improve the lifespan and applicability of softwoods like Scandinavian Pine. Thermally modified timber also delivers the added advantage of being resistant to weather exposure and can even improve thermal insulation by up to 20%. 

Benefits of thermal treatment for Class 3/4

Timber durability classes 3 and 4 are certainly some of the most durable, and yet when it comes to designing and building sustainable structures that stand the test of time, thermal treatments can deliver an edge against others in their weather resistance, and overall durability. By reducing the amount of moisture and natural resins, thermal modification (more on this below) is an excellent treatment process that can improve the durability and longevity of softwoods. 

For example, Vacoa is a Scandinavian pine variety treated to withstand the harshest of conditions and is perfect for timber cladding solutions. 

Source only quality from the timber experts

Knowing your timber durability ratings and hazard treatment classes is just as important as sourcing quality timber from reliable industry specialists. 

As a leading supplier of quality hardwood architectural timber, our team is backed by over 80 years of experience. Contact us today to move forward with confidence on your next project.