STRUCTURAL TIMBER – Australian Hardwood for Structural Applications
DTM Timber supplies Australian hardwood structural timber manufactured for strength, reliability and compliance in building and infrastructure applications. Our structural timber is produced to meet Australian Standards and is suitable for residential, commercial, industrial and civil construction where predictable performance is essential.
As a specialist hardwood sawmill and processor, DTM Timber focuses on supplying structural timber that performs as specified — on site, in service and over the design life of the structure.
Structural Performance and Compliance
Structural timber supplied by DTM Timber is visually stress graded in accordance with the relevant Australian Standards. Grading ensures each piece meets the nominated strength class and is suitable for its intended load-bearing application.
Timber is assessed for defects, straightness and section accuracy to ensure consistent structural capacity and serviceability. Hardwood’s natural density and stiffness make it particularly well suited to applications involving higher loads, longer spans and demanding service conditions.
Unseasoned (Green) Sawn and Sized Hardwood Scantling
Unseasoned structural timber is supplied in the green state, sawn and sized for immediate structural use. This product is commonly specified where drying in service is acceptable or where section sizes and detailing allow for natural moisture movement over time.
Unseasoned hardwood scantling is visually stress graded in accordance with AS 2082 and is commonly supplied in the following strength grades:
F14 Structural
F14 is a widely used structural grade suitable for general load-bearing applications. It is commonly specified for bearers, joists, posts and framing members in residential and light commercial construction.
F17 Structural
F17 provides increased strength and stiffness compared with F14 and is selected where higher loads, longer spans or improved structural performance are required.
Unseasoned hardwood scantling is typically used in:
- Bearers and joists
- Posts and columns
- Subfloor framing
- Heavy structural members
Correct detailing, allowance for movement and appropriate fixing are essential when specifying unseasoned timber.
Seasoned Structural Timber
Seasoned structural timber is hardwood that has been dried to a controlled moisture content prior to use. Seasoning improves dimensional stability, surface finish and in-service performance, particularly where timber is enclosed, exposed internally or required to maintain tighter tolerances.
Seasoned structural timber supplied by DTM Timber is visually graded in accordance with AS 2796, ensuring both structural capacity and appearance requirements are met.
Structural Strength Grades (Seasoned)
Seasoned structural timber is supplied in a range of strength grades to suit different design and load requirements.
F14 Structural
F14 seasoned timber is suitable for general structural applications where moderate strength and stiffness are required. It is commonly used in residential framing and structural elements where predictable performance is essential.
F17 Structural
F17 seasoned timber offers increased strength capacity and stiffness and is commonly specified for heavier residential, commercial or mixed-use applications where improved performance is required.
F27 Structural
F27 is a high-strength structural hardwood grade used in demanding applications where significant loads, high stiffness or reduced section sizes are required. It provides substantially higher bending strength, compression strength and modulus of elasticity compared with lower structural grades.
F27 structural timber is commonly specified for:
- Heavily loaded beams and members
- Long span structural applications
- Posts and columns supporting high vertical loads
- Industrial and infrastructure projects
- Situations where structural efficiency is critical
Selection of F27 should always be based on engineering design and load calculations.
Structural Appearance Timber
Structural Appearance timber is seasoned structural timber that meets both strength requirements and enhanced visual standards. It is designed for applications where timber remains visible while still performing a structural role.
Compared with general structural grades, Structural Appearance timber offers improved surface quality and visual consistency, making it suitable for architectural and exposed structural applications.
Structural Appearance timber is commonly used in:
- Exposed beams and posts
- Pergolas and verandahs
- Deck structures where framing remains visible
- Architectural residential and commercial projects
While appearance is improved, Structural Appearance timber remains a fully structural product and must be installed in accordance with engineering and building requirements.
Dressed and Profiled Structural Timber (DAR & Pencil Round)
Dressed and profiled structural timber is machined to achieve consistent dimensions and improved surface finish. This category includes both
Dressed All Round (DAR) and
Pencil Round edge profiles.
DAR timber is machined on all faces to consistent dimensions, improving installation accuracy and finish quality. Pencil Round edges soften arrises, reducing chipping and improving handling while delivering a cleaner visual appearance for exposed applications.
DAR and Pencil Round profiles are commonly specified where structural timber is visible or where improved finish and dimensional accuracy are required, including architectural framing, pergolas, verandahs and exposed deck structures.
Kiln Drying of Structural Timber
Kiln drying is a controlled process used to reduce the moisture content of timber to levels suitable for construction. Timber is dried under regulated temperature, humidity and airflow conditions to achieve uniform moisture content throughout the section.
Seasoned structural timber supplied by DTM Timber is kiln dried to target moisture contents appropriate for its intended application. Kiln drying improves in-service performance and reduces the likelihood of excessive movement after installation.
Key benefits of kiln drying include:
- Improved dimensional stability and reduced shrinkage
- Lower risk of twisting, bowing and warping
- Improved surface finish for dressed and appearance-grade products
- More predictable structural performance under load
- Improved suitability for internal or enclosed environments
Kiln drying also enables accurate machining, which is critical for Structural Appearance and dressed products. Correct storage, handling and installation remain essential after kiln drying to maintain moisture balance and long-term performance.
Environmental and Sustainability Considerations
Structural hardwood timber offers strong environmental advantages when responsibly sourced and correctly specified. Timber is a renewable resource and stores carbon for the life of the structure.
Compared with many alternative structural materials, hardwood timber generally has lower embodied energy. Efficient processing maximises usable material and reduces waste, supporting sustainable construction outcomes.
DTM Timber’s environmental approach focuses on responsible sourcing, efficient use of resources and long-term product performance.
Supply and Technical Support
DTM Timber works closely with builders, engineers and designers to supply structural timber that meets specification, compliance and performance requirements. Product selection is guided by design loads, service conditions and applicable standards.
For technical information, grade availability or project-specific advice, contact DTM Timber to discuss structural timber solutions.
