The choice of lumber for construction and finishing is always accompanied by questions about which type of wood will provide better quality and longer service life.
It is necessary to compare characteristics and cost, since these are the parameters that are usually decisive.
Wooden products made from pine, spruce and larch are the most common in Russia, and they can be purchased from almost any company specialized in building materials.
Unfortunately, there is virtually no interest in some breeds that deserve closer attention, although the history of their use proves that they are in no way inferior to the more popular and in demand.
These include the undeservedly forgotten aspen, lumber and products from which are practically never found on the open market today, since production is carried out mainly to order.
This is explained by the limited demand for aspen wood due to the lack of awareness of buyers about its characteristics and possibilities of use.
Characteristics of raw materials
The tree belongs to the numerous genus of poplars from the willow family. Due to its coreless structure, aspen has recognizable wood. The material has a smooth, almost undefined structure. The growth rings are almost invisible, so the raw material looks perfectly smooth with a velvety coating.
Aspen wood is very dense and uniform. Color varies from milky white to gray and slightly greenish. There are no rays diverging from the core on the saw cut. After painting, the surface does not show any structural details and always remains smooth.
What wood looks like Source rosbusinessles.rf
Aspen wood is classified as a softwood in terms of hardness. In terms of abrasion resistance, the raw material is close to oak. Under the influence of shock loads due to its viscosity, the material does not prick or crack.
Aspen prefers to grow in wet soil. The humidity of a felled tree reaches more than 80%. The material quickly absorbs and easily releases moisture. After drying, the product does not deform or crack, maintaining its original characteristics for a long time.
Wooden cuts Source livemaster.ru
Aspen grows very quickly, but in nature it barely lives to be 120 years old. Rot is the main cause of tree death. The disease penetrates the internal tissues through the damaged bark, after which the core rots. Healthy specimens processed into wood are not afraid of fungi and insects, preserving their strength and beauty for a long time.
Features, Benefits and Features
One of the main advantages of aspen wood, which is highly valued by lumber manufacturers and builders, is the ability to remain in conditions of high humidity for a long time without losing its appearance and basic characteristics.
If we talk about strength, then aspen has practically no competitors when compared with the main species widely used in Russia, with the exception of oak and larch.
Over time, its strength becomes comparable to that of concrete, therefore, if you choose an alternative to more expensive lumber for this parameter, then aspen is an excellent choice.
The pleasant color of the wood, light, turning over time into a noble silver, is another reason why it is preferred. It does not turn yellow or blacken, as happens with other breeds, so even after several decades, products made from it do not lose their original appearance and delight with their beauty.
Ease of processing with mechanical and sharp hand tools is another significant plus. Aspen is easy to saw and cut, split and mill, and finished products made from well-dried wood retain their parameters and properties throughout their entire service life.
There are some nuances that must be taken into account by specialists, but which in no way concern buyers of finished aspen products.
In this case, we are talking about the features of its processing, affecting, for example, the drying of timber and round timber.
They lie in the fact that the humidity level in the central part of the tree trunk is much lower than in the peripheral areas, and this fact requires a professional approach to the process of drying the material. There are usually no other critical difficulties in preparing to work with aspen wood.
Material in construction
Wear-resistant, strong raw materials are perfect for constructing buildings. Due to its softness, the wood is easy to cut and split, but difficult to polish. Understanding what is made from aspen, you can use the material in construction.
Baths and saunas
Due to its high hygroscopicity, the raw material does not rot, which allows it to be used in the construction of buildings. When water gets on the surface of the wood, the material does not warp and does not lose its original qualities. Well-dried aspen timber is similar in strength to stone or cement.
The material does not emit resin, so the bathhouse or sauna does not need to be additionally finished from the inside. Regular fluctuations in humidity and dryness make the raw material gradually increase in strength. When the temperature changes, aspen timber emits a light, barely noticeable woody aroma.
Moisture-resistant material for baths Source slobodskoy-les.ru
Due to the bactericidal properties, fungi and mold do not appear on the finish. The internal and external surfaces of the log house always remain clean and strong. The material has low thermal conductivity. Even, smooth boards on the floor, when heated, maintain a pleasant temperature that does not burn your feet.
Residential buildings
Despite its availability, aspen was rarely used in the construction of houses. Due to the susceptibility to rotting during the growth stage, it is very difficult to select high-quality timber for construction. Due to high shrinkage, professionals recommend using completely dry material.
Cladding with strong aspen Source lesdom.rf
When building a house, aspen can be used when laying the first crown, the rest of the structure can be made of pine. Wood in the form of planks is suitable for the roof. A structure lined with the material does not flow, does not rot, and remains hard for a long time. When decorating a cottage in eco-style, the roof or facade is assembled from shingles.
Original roof made of wood Source dranka-master.stavtime.ru
Window blocks made from aspen look very beautiful. Due to the homogeneous surface, interior doors look unusual. Wood is not afraid of moisture and does not lose its attractiveness due to frequent washing.
In a wooden house you can use aspen partitions. Walls made of practical, durable wood will harmoniously fit into the design of the room. Semi-partitions made of timber will add originality to the interior. Due to their resistance to abrasion and moisture, the elements can be installed in the bathroom or kitchen.
Decoration Materials
After processing, aspen is made into boards, slabs and slats. According to the type of technology, finishing is divided into 2 groups:
- Edged. Ideally smooth wood is obtained by planing. The workpiece is resistant to humidity and has a long service life. It looks expensive, prestigious and easy to use.
- Unedged. The material retains bark on the edges, which reduces costs. The characteristics do not differ from grade 1 raw materials. Used for roughing and construction work.
For interior decoration, it is better to opt for eurolining. Beautiful, moisture-resistant and practical wood has a recognizable white color and the absence of knots. Aspen boards look neat and laconic, bringing home comfort to the design. The material does not crack or rot, which allows it to be used in rooms with high humidity and regular temperature changes (kitchen, bathroom).
Aspen for interior decoration Source saratov.tiu.ru
Aspen eurolining has increased groove and tongue parameters. Changed characteristics make cladding easier. Wood panels are tightly and securely fixed to the walls, without forming large gaps. If fitted correctly, the flat material is suitable for installation on the ceiling.
Wood for finishing Source stroywood.moscow
Aspen boards for the floor are highly durable and have a beautiful monochromatic pattern. The wear-resistant coating will withstand heavy use in the living room, frequent washing in the kitchen and hallway. The top surface can be varnished, giving the design a luxurious gloss.
Sturdy aspen trim is no different in quality from oak. Wood is used to make elegant frames for windows and doors, the natural appearance of which is preserved. Durable natural plinth can be combined with wood laminate. Carved fillets on the ceiling are used when decorating expensive designs.
Black floors in the bathhouse
In the old days in Rus', a simple bathhouse was placed directly on the ground. In order for the bathhouse to retain the heat well, the log house was sometimes specially deepened into the ground. In such cases, the floor was earthen, without drainage. And over time, the floor turned into mush, and the boards laid on it rotted.
Nowadays, baths are installed on a foundation. The base of the floor can also be earthen. The soil is removed to a depth of about 50 centimeters. Don’t forget to think about the drainage, that is, lay a pipe through which the water from the bathhouse will flow away. Otherwise, unpleasant odors may appear.
Next, fill the hole with sand or gravel. This is how we protect ourselves from drafts under our feet. In our bathhouse, such a pit is filled with clay and sand.
It's time to install the black plank floor.
First of all, we install the support posts - 25x25 cm pillars made of brick. We lay wooden beams or logs on top, so-called leagues. They should be raised about 10 centimeters from the sand or gravel level. The main load of the future floor falls on the joists. They are strengthened so that they do not bend under the weight. The logs can also rest on the beams of the embedded crown in the bathhouse, but only through waterproofing. This can be roofing felt, which is also laid on support posts. The logs are directed strictly perpendicular to the water flow.
Laying boards when laying floors
On top of the logs, tongue and groove boards 20-30 mm thick and up to 15 cm wide are laid. The distance between the logs is 60 -90 cm. It happens that the boards are nailed directly to the beams, and not to the logs.
Connecting tongue and groove boards
There are very important points when laying a subfloor. Floor boards are laid with the convex side up. At the same time, they are laid in such a way that the growth rings are directed in opposite directions. This is done to make the floor more even. Remember also that if the boards are laid close to each other, the floors will swell and swell over time.
Laying bars and boards with the convex side up
If you have a heavy stove installed in your bathhouse, you should reinforce the subfloor. As a rule, double reinforcement is used for this. The floor will be about 20 cm.
This is done as follows:
- We prepare formwork from the boards.
- Lay roofing felt on top
- We place a double metal reinforcement on it.
- This structure is filled with cement mortar.
- To ensure the strength of the structure, you need to water the cement for 3-4 days (twice a day).
The finished subfloor device will look like this:
Wooden floor and ventilation cutouts under the boards
Furniture making
In addition to construction and interior decoration, interior items are created from wood. Knowing what is made from aspen, it is easy to choose the right specimen for your home. For the improvement of baths and saunas, preference is given to furniture with moisture-resistant characteristics. The raw materials do not rot, do not heat up from high temperatures and do not crack. Tables, shelves and benches will fit harmoniously into the interior and will remain durable for a long time.
Interior items made of wood Source okidoker.com
In the warm season, aspen furniture is perfect for outdoor use. Strong wood will withstand changes in humidity levels without loss of appearance. Chairs and tables can be left on the terrace throughout the summer and autumn. The beautiful gray-white surface of the natural material is covered with stain, tinting varnish or water-based paint.
Street specimens from aspen Source vologda.doski.ru
Interior items inside the house are often made from aspen. Traditional classic furniture is painted with special enamel or varnished. The facades can be covered with more decorative oak veneer, adding a luxurious touch to the design. When decorating rooms in a rustic and eco-style, components made from bare wood are appropriate.
Aspen sawdust is used in the manufacture of chipboard. The quality of the material compressed under pressure does not differ from pine and birch options. Due to the peculiarities of the technology, furniture loses resistance to humidity and mechanical damage. The top of the slabs is laminated with a special film or covered with a thin layer of natural wood (veneer).
We choose a place. Project preparation
On many Internet resources, as well as in printed publications, there are photos of nice wooden gazebos. A gazebo made of driftwood and crooked tree trunks almost immediately catches your eye. When choosing a location for installation, be guided by your own taste and the general style of the area. You can make an extension to the wall or install it in the corner of the territory. Since a gazebo made from tree trunks often remains open, it will be very difficult to glaze it.
How to place a gazebo on the site
The ideal location comes down to the following principles:
- Groundwater is deep.
- There is always shade during the day.
- In the evening, a large amount of sunlight enters the gazebo.
When building a wooden structure around a fireplace/stove, take care of fire safety in advance. To do this, treat the trunks with fire-retardant impregnation to prevent sparks. In addition, each wooden part is coated with a protective compound. This will avoid the appearance of fungi and premature rotting.
Inspect the blanks for the future gazebo , draw a sketch. It all depends on what exactly the elements look like, what shape and length they have. All old trunks are cut off in accordance with the drawing. Which type of tree to choose and whether to remove the bark depends on the author’s imagination. Strong, but not too massive trunks of rowan, spruce, and birch with the bark removed will look very beautiful. In this case, the surface is processed and varnished.
Household use
Aspen is a practical material that is used at home. The raw material quickly swells in water, and after drying it becomes very strong. The characteristics of wood were used by coopers to create barrels, tubs and vats. Due to the high density of the parts being connected, liquid did not leak out through the cracks.
The raw material is easy to cut and process on a lathe. The blanks are pre-steamed in boiling water, then given the desired shape with a sharp tool. Due to the antibacterial properties in dishes made of this material, food does not turn sour for a long time and pickles do not disappear. They make from aspen:
- spoons;
- buckets;
- dishes;
- mugs.
From foundation to roof. Start of construction.
So, the plan has been drawn, the optimal location for construction has also been selected, and the materials are ready. Time to get to work!
- Markings are carried out on the planned area using threads and pegs.
- After marking, the soil for the foundation is excavated. A depth of 20 centimeters will be enough. How to fill the vacant space? Sand is best. Tiles are laid on top. Tiles interspersed with wooden slices will look very impressive. The gaps can be filled with small crushed stone.
- Also, pegs with a pin can be installed in places where trunks made of birch or other material are placed. Subsequently, pillars are placed on them. The solution will also be successful if the gazebo made of trunks is placed on pins fixed in brick columns. In the Scandinavian countries, the issue of foundation is resolved in an elementary way. Large pebbles are placed under birch trunks.
- For additional fixation, we recommend using timber strapping. The rafter system is used for general strengthening of the structure. Use a building level to make the structure perfectly level and place the cuts on top in the same plane. Otherwise, the gazebo may tilt, and difficulties will arise when installing the roof.
- By the way, about load-bearing pillars. When they have approximately the same thickness and are relatively straight, even beginners will not have problems with installation. Most often, such pillars are made from spruce and pine trees. In the case of curved trunks, construction work must be carried out as carefully as possible.
Scheme of a columnar foundation for a gazebo
Material recycling
Aspen dries moderately, cracks poorly and splits into pieces well. Due to technical features, raw materials are used in the production of toothpicks and matches. Small chips of the same size do not break, hold the sulfur head perfectly and do not smoke when burning, giving a white fire.
If aspen sleepers are treated with an antiseptic coating, then the strength of the product is stronger than spruce and pine. Parts made of natural wood are laid at the base of the railway track. Due to their elasticity, the elements retain rolling stock for a long time, providing convenience during the trip. Wood in the form of racks is used in mines with a closed mining method.
Aspen is used to make containers for vegetables and building materials. Flat, light-colored boards are not afraid of moisture and do not crack under heavy weight. When wet, the boxes dry quickly, maintaining their original shape and appearance. Even with constant contact with water, the surface does not become moldy.
Storage containers Source sedo.big5.eu
Aspen is used in paper production. Raw materials can be physically and chemically processed to the state of cellulose. The fibers absorb alkali and acid solutions well. The result is a very soft version that perfectly absorbs printing ink. The density of the material is not inferior to craft (parchment), while it has a high degree of whiteness.
Aspen bark is used to process thin leather. The greens and top woody layer are processed to produce medicines, vitamins and carotene. The foliage and young shoots can be added to livestock feed in livestock farming.
Sawdust and aspen chips are used for heating houses. The crushed remains are pressed into briquettes. The heat of combustion of raw materials is higher than that of birch and coniferous species. Wooden firewood is used to clean soot from chimney pipes. Wood is often distilled into coal and used in everyday life and in the metallurgical industry.
Wooden floors in the bathhouse
Non-leaking floors in the bathhouse. This is a warm floor, there is always a subfloor underneath it. A system for draining water from the bathhouse has also been thought out. That is, such a floor implies good water drainage. It should not stagnate on the surface of the floor boards.
My uncle said that boards are laid without fastening with nails. Only nail the first floorboard away from the wall when they start laying. They do it so that the boards don’t “walk.”
Because nothing lasts forever in this world, after some time the floors will be simpler and easier to replace.
The procedure for laying and joining finished floor boards
Leaking floor. Here the name itself speaks for itself. When laying a finished floor, gaps are left between the floorboards - cracks. Through them the water goes into the ground. Making such a floor is easier and cheaper. But it is cold, they don’t make subfloors for it.
The foundation pit is filled with sand, clay, and pebbles. That is, instead of subfloors, a dirt floor is made. And a thick layer of oily clay is placed on top of it. It is leveled, compacted and smoothed in one direction to obtain water drainage.
Since we will walk on the floorboards with bare feet, they should be smooth, without roughness or burrs. Therefore, the boards are pre-processed with a plane. As for coating with varnishes, drying oils, paints...
At high bath temperatures, all these coatings decompose. And so much harmful nastiness spills out! So be smart! There can be no talk of any chemicals in the bathhouse! Hot and humid conditions destroy these substances. And they begin to take revenge on us...
