Questions on wood for home construction

[blrsiteseeker]

Hello,

I know there are so many choices for wood and accordingly there is a cost differential. My questions are

1. Teak is best - but price is high. What are the current prices for a log of 1 cubic foot. (1' x 1' x 1')
2. between engineered and honne wood - which is more recommended. In terms of cost and durability, looks and maintenance. once again, what is the cost of a cubic foot of honne vs. one cubic foot of engineered wood.
3. any recommended dealers for these. Please send me contact info if you have recommendations.

How long after purchasing should it be cured for. I know they say it is already cured, but would the recommendation be for curing it further beyond purchase to reduce warping etc?

thanks in advance.

[ardesarchitects]

Hi,
The first thing your should consider in wood is "what will be the finishing of the wood ? is it polish or paint?
If you buy teak frames unless you polish there is no necessity to go for teak ,painting a teak wood is just waste of money.Exterior polishing is a costlier affair, just regular polish will stay only for one season.You need to go for PUV coat to protect it for at least 4 to 5 years.
So teak is not an economical option.Honne or red sal are very good options for wood.But then go for a combination of honne frame with teak shutters or red sal with teak shutters.
Since shutters are less thickness other than teak will bend in every season.Honne or red sal is recommended with min thickness of 3.5 to 4" .
Honne will be in a range of 1400/- to 1700/- per cubic feet, engineered wood not sure it depends up on quality and wood used in it.
In general a good seasoning time is 6months after the cut sizes .If you want of cure log it takes at least 3 to 4 years or more depending up on size.
You can get if vacuum cured in many timber depot ,i remember there is one on Mysore road next to shell petrol pump.

Regards
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
ardesarchitects@yahoo.co.in

[blrsiteseeker]

Praveen,

thanks for the info.

I have some follow on questions. I know when teak is polished it looks wonderful. but the problem I have seen in many houses is that after a few seasons of weathering, it looks so bad, that it even feels bad that the person paid so much money for teak.
What is the best way to finish it - so that we have a long lasting good appearance. (I really don't want to paint it).
if there is a covering over the door (such as a porch or portico), so that the sun or rain do not directly beat on it - how long would polish last on it.

Are the fiberglass / metal doors good for outside use? I want to know how safe they are.

thanks again.

[ardesarchitects]

Hi,Blrsiteseeker
As i mentioned in earlier post ,you need to go with PUV coat for exterior polishing.But it turns to be very costly (180 per sft +50 per sft melamine).For a single door of size 7'X3' will be 5000/- aprrox.
PUV will give a life of 4-6 years for unshaded wood polish.For shaded it will stay for 6-8 years approx.
Fibre glass door are not safe for security as exterior doors.Metal doors are safe enough.The only problem in metal doors is the design range .There are very limited stereo type designs available.In fibre glass doors you get specific designed for external safety.

Regards
Ar.Praveen.N
Ardes Architects and Interior Designers
ardesarchitects@yahoo.co.in

[tendlu]

for seasoning/curing the wood, should we buy the cut sizes and store it in the site (in a dry place) without touching it for a month or can we assemble it and just not fix it for a month?

[venkyn]

What are good PUV based paints you recommend?
-Venky