Structural timber provides buildings with their framework, but it also provides a practical purpose for fencing, pallets, boat-building, mining, cabinet and furniture making and joinery, amongst other things. Both hardwood and softwood are used for structural purposes, but hardwoods are commonly used for high strength applications such as bearers, joists, lintels and roof beams, while softwoods are used for general framing, including studs, wall plates, noggins, rafters and other applications where high strength is not the critical factor. Structural timber needs to be specially selected for its application, and it is milled and then graded depending on its requirements.
