Is Wood the Best House Construction Material?

The story of the three little pigs would tell us otherwise – no, wood is definitely not the best house construction material choice says the pig who got eaten by the wolf as his wooden house broke down easily. Kühnlein Architektur surely thought differently though when they designed the Timber House. This private home is covered entirely with untreated larch strips which concealed the home’s windows while letting daylight through. Even a thousand huffs and puffs from the big bad wolf would not be able to tear it down. So, is it yay or nay for wood?

 

Wood is a versatile, classic, and durable material that will always be part of the top choices as a house construction material. Although it ranks second only to stone, most still prefer it as it is broadly available and comes in different varieties.

 

Generally speaking, wood is classified as either Hardwood or Softwood. The distinction depends mainly on the botanical characteristics of each. Let us take a look into each below:

 

Hardwood

Hardwood comes from deciduous trees with wide leaves. Some examples are:

·         Teak wood

·         Rose wood

·         Oak wood

·         Maple wood

·         Ash wood

·         Mango wood

·         Mahogany wood

·         Beech wood

Below are some hardwood trees from the Philippines:

·         Molave

·         Kamagong

·         Yakal

·         Narra

·         Tanguile

Hardwood is best used in the construction of walls, ceilings, and floors. It is suitable for high-quality furnishings, solid wood mouldings, and interior joinery. It is denser than softwood, so it is more durable and stronger. Coco lumber, for instance, is customary in the Philippines’ low-cost housing programme and other government buildings. As it is widely used, coco lumber can be purchased not only from local hardware stores but also online. Considering the slow growing rate and longer drying times of hardwood, however, they cost more compared to softwood.

 

Softwood

Softwood comes from coniferous trees or those that have needles instead of leaves. Examples include:

·         Pine wood

·         Cedar wood

·         Fir wood

·         Spruce wood

·         Hemlock wood

Softwood is mainly used for inner structures to the frame of hardwoods, such as doors and window frames. It is used for generating sheet goods such as plywood and fibreboard. Since softwood is easily manipulated, flexible, and lighter, it has a lower cost level compared to hardwood.

 

Regardless of type, wood is an essential house construction material. Like its timeless charm, it will not be removed from the list of construction materials that makes each home a better place to live in.

Top Three Factors Affecting Scale Accuracy

 

Weighing scales come in various forms – from tabletop scales to industrial ones. Though weighing scales may lack the appeal of being an essential tool in trade with its humble form, Messer-Kruse (2006) identified it as the intersecting borderland of industry, government, marketplace, and consumer. Indeed, it is. Imagine the chaos of not having a standard tool to measure products for trade. Using mere gut feel on how anything weighs will fail in all aspects. Standardization in commerce is crucial, hence more so is measurement accuracy. In fact, weighing scale accuracy is significant across all industries. For instance, in the medical field, getting precise body weight is an essential factor in determining a patient’s current condition. Getting the accurate body weight is a key determining factor in planning the best approach for his wellbeing.

 

If you are wondering where to find quality weighing scales for sale in the Philippines, you are up for several options both online and in physical stores. Firstly, however, it is important to be aware of the factors that affect a weighing scale’s accuracy.

 

1.       Load Cell Accuracy

The load cell converts mechanical force into an electrical signal hence making it the most important component of any digital weighing system. It is the load cell that bends when weight is applied. Once weight is mounted on the scale, the load cell compresses and produces an analog output signal which is then transmitted to a controller that converts the signal into a digital weight measurement.

Response time (little time between repeated weighing sessions), nonlinearity (maximum deviation of the load cell’s calibration curve from a straight line), creep (load was left stationary for a long period hence changing the measured weight), and temperature (significant temperature variations) are just some of the factors that can affect load cell accuracy.

 

2.       Interference

Any kind of obstruction during the time the load cell sends the electrical signal onto the scale’s digital indicator will lead to inaccuracy. Moisture, for instance, can affect the electrical output and interfere with the signal being sent. Another factor is an increase in temperature as it increases wire resistance that can then cause a voltage drop. This causes a discrepancy between the displayed results and the actual signal sent. RFI (radio frequency interference) and EMI (electromagnetic interference) also create additional input signals that can cause the controller to show incorrect results.

 

3.       Environmental Factors

Outdoor and indoor air systems such as air-conditioning and air ducting can affect sensitive weighing systems. The same goes for nearby vibrating elements inducing additional force on the scale. Abrupt dumping of heavy products on the scales can cause shock that can damage the load cells as well.

 

Keeping these factors in mind, be sure to find a reliable company as well. With the increasing number of Philippine companies that offer weighing scales for sale, you should find a weighing partner with precision and accuracy. It is best if the company is a member of the International Association of Weighing Scale Instrument. Asuki Weighing System Incorporated, for one, is a member of this elite group. Always be mindful of the importance of weighing scales and the factors affecting their accuracy and you will be off for a better trade.