Difference between rough sawn and dressed timber

Difference Between Rough Sawn and Dressed Timber

If you’re a builder, landscaper or just someone who loves a bit of DIY handywork—you know all too well just how wide the encyclopedia of timber products spans. Today, there are many different breeds of timber available in Melbourne, originating from all sorts of unique tree species from all around the world. Once these trees are converted into timber, they are finished in different ways to suit different uses. In Melbourne, there are two common finishes applied to timber, known as rough sawn timber and dressed timber.

Which one you select will depend on your requirements of your project and the particular application for which the timber is required.

Dried Dressed Timber

When discussing rough sawn and dressed timber, We believe it is important to mention dried laser pine as well. Because together, these three types of finishes cover the requirements for most common applications today. Rough sawn timber is commonly known as the most rustic, raw and natural of all the timber finishes. It is also the least finished. When logs are processed by the saw mill into timber, rough sawn timber is sawn and dried before it is treated, but it is not dried afterwards.

Historically, rough sawn timber was reserved for applications where the timber was not very visible, such as timber beams and any other timber used for structural purposes. Recently however, rough sawn timber has been used in many modern businesses, such as bars, cafes and retail stores. It is called upon when a more rustic and unfinished aesthetic is desired.

In between rough sawn timber and dressed timber sits dried laser pine.

Also known as rougher header, dried laser pine is finished with serrated knives, resulting in a finish that is less rough than rough sawn timber, but more textured than dried dressed timber. A key difference between rough sawn and dried laser pine is that dried laser pine is dried after treatment to minimise shrinkage. Dried laser pine is easier to paint due to its level of treatment. You will often find dried laser pine being used to build decks, pergolas and entire outdoor areas.

Known commonly as the best of the best in timber finishes, dressed timber sits at the top end of the scale because of how well and thoroughly polished it is. Carefully dressed on all sides, dressed timber is extremely smooth in its final form. This smoothness makes it really easy to work with and to apply coatings to. Dressed timber is frequently used in applications where looks matter. You will see it used in plenty of public areas and settings that demand only the sharpest aesthetics.

When it comes to deciding which timber finish is right for you, there are a few factors that you can take into account. For example, you’ll need to determine what level of finish your application requires. This can vary from project to project, based on both personal taste and functionality.

Another factor to take into consideration is budget., You’ll need to calculate the spending allowance (if there is one) for the project in question. As you have probably figured by now, rough sawn timber is the least expensive of the three timbers, followed by dried laser pine, and then dressed timber.

If you would like to purchase timber, there are many suppliers across Melbourne who do a great job of manufacturing and supplying a high quality product. Out of all the suppliers we have dealt with over the years thought, we highly recommend Australian Treated Pine. They are specialists in the timber world and have been the leading timber suppliers for many government, council and school projects over the last 25+ years.

More conveniently however, you can shop online at their web site www.atpine.com.au or call them on 03 9305 2000. You can also drop into their Melbourne based showroom in Somerton if you’re around the area.

CONTACT INFORMATION 2 Freight Drive, Somerton, 3062, Victoria, Australia (Melways Ref Map 180 H10) Phone: 03 9305 2000 Fax: 03 9305-2020 Email: sales@atpine.com.au TRADING HOURS Monday to Friday, 7.30am – 5.00pm Saturday, 8.00am – 4pm