Framing timber carries the structure, so sizes and grades come from your plans or an engineer. This guide explains the terms on JBM's framing products so the right item is easy to find.
What JBM lists
- Structural pine in MGP10 and F7 grades for wall frames, plates, noggings and roof framing.
- LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beams such as LVL15, used for lintels, bearers and long spans where sawn timber would be too small or too variable.
- I-beams for floor joists and rafters over longer spans, with less weight than solid timber.
- Hardwood in F17 and F27 grades, and GL17 glue laminated beams, where hardness or appearance matters.
Grades
A grade is a guaranteed set of strength properties. MGP10 (machine graded pine) and F7 are the usual wall framing grades; F17 and F27 are hardwood stress grades; LVL15 and GL17 describe the engineered product's bending strength. Two pieces of the same size and grade can be used interchangeably in a design, whatever the species.
Treatments
The H rating says where treated timber may be used:
- H2S: inside, above ground, protected from the weather. Termite resistant framing for walls and roofs (the blue framing most people recognise).
- H3: outside, above ground, exposed to the weather. Decking, pergolas, fascia and cladding.
- H4: in contact with the ground. Fence posts, retaining walls and garden edging.
Untreated framing is for dry, enclosed positions only. Check your council's termite management requirements for the treatment you need.
Sizes and stock lengths
Sizes are nominal cross sections in millimetres, width by thickness, such as 90 x 35, 90 x 45 or 140 x 45. Framing is sold per piece in stock lengths (for example 2.4 m, 2.7 m, 3.0 m, 3.6 m, 4.2 m, 4.8 m, 5.4 m and 6.0 m, depending on the product). On the product page choose the length and the number of pieces; the price is the rate per lineal metre times the stock length times the pieces, GST included.
Delivery
Long lengths need a suitable vehicle. Delivery is calculated at checkout from the weight and the longest piece in the order, and anything the rate card cannot price is quoted by JBM before you pay. Click and collect from the JBM warehouse is also available.