What is the strongest grade of timber?

C24 timber is one of the highest quality types of timber available. Similar to C16 timber, it is also kiln-dried to reduce the moisture content, it typically has fewer defects, in terms of both characteristics and appearance. This makes it stronger and more resilient.

elliotts.uk - C16 vs C24 Timber | Timber & Joinery - Elliotts

What is Dua Lipa highest note?

Dua Lipa's vocal range is G#2 – D5 – A5, approximately 3 octaves. Dec 19, 2020

Last updated Oct 6, 2020

What is the best instrument to start a child on?

The recorder is a great first instrument that often leads to other wind instruments like the flute and clarinet. Kids can start it as soon as their...

Last updated Dec 25, 2019

Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.

Learn More »

Promotion

If you’ve worked with timber on a construction project, you’ve probably encountered the terms C16 and C24. But, while these terms are widely used, it’s not always clear what they mean. C16 and C24 refer to the strength of a piece of carcassing timber. There are 12 different timber strength grades that can be used within the construction industry in the UK. These grades are set out by the British Standard in the BS5268. In this guide, our Timber Products Manager will look at what C16 and C24 carcassing timber are, and how they differ from one another.

What is carcassing timber?

Carcassing timber is softwood that has been kiln-dried and then graded according to its strength quality of C16 or C24, before being identified with the relevant grading mark. Carcassing timber is often used for structural applications, such as floor joists, rafters and studwork.

How is timber graded?

The grades for carcassing timber, including C16 and C24, are set out by the British Standards Institution in the BS5258 compendium of codes. When grading the timber against these guidelines, various measurements are taken into account in order to assess the strength of the wood.

Factors taken into account include:

Knots

Splits along the grain

The slope of the grain

Woodworm holes

What is C16 and C24 timber?

C16 and C24 are two of the most commonly used grades of timber. The C stands for conifer, the type of tree that the timber comes from, while the 16 and 24 refer to the strength grade.

Both grades are used in a variety of structural applications, including:

Rafters

Floor joists

Studwork for partition walls

Formwork

Shuttering

And more.

The different grades are suited to different loads.

What is C16 timber?

C16 timber is one of the most commonly used types of timber in the UK. This kiln-dried timber is commonly used for a wide range of applications, typically internal projects such as walls, floor, and roof joists. As well as offering strength, compression and density, qualities that are widely sought after in the construction industry, C16 timber is also usually very cost-effective. The reason that C16 timber is more cost-effective than other grades of timber is that it can have some defects, including grain deviations, which can impact the strength of the timber, as well as cosmetic marks such as sap stains and uneven surfaces.

What is C24 timber?

C24 timber is one of the highest quality types of timber available.

Similar to C16 timber, it is also kiln-dried to reduce the moisture content, it typically has fewer defects, in terms of both characteristics and appearance. This makes it stronger and more resilient. It also looks better, making it a popular choice for applications that are going to be visible. Due to its quality, the cost of C24 timber is usually higher than C16 timber.

Why is Für Elise so popular?

Part of the reason Für Elise remains so popular, is that many piano teachers over the world assign just that first part of the piece to their...

Last updated Jul 15, 2022

What are the 4 types of Muslims?

This article would briefly focus on the four prominent Mazahib that continue to be widely practised today - Hanafi, Maliki, Syafi'i and Hanbali...

Last updated Jan 30, 2019

Promotion

What’s the difference between C16 and C24 timber?

There are several differences between C16 and C24 timber.

Quality

Although both C16 and C24 are strong, durable, and used widely throughout the construction industry, C24 timber offers premium quality.

Appearance

C16 timber can have some defects that impact the overall appearance. C24 graded timber, on the other hand, has less visible defects and a more uniform appearance. This makes it the preferred choice for projects where the timber will be visible within.

Strength

Both C16 and C24 timbers are strong enough to handle the demands of construction applications. However, C24 timber is the stronger of the two, meaning it tends to be the material of choice for larger projects or those where strength is essential.

Cost

If you’re working to a budget, C16 timber is typically more cost-effective, because it is usually produced in the UK. C24 grade, on the other hand, can only be achieved by importing the timber from areas where the climate forces a slower growth rate. This increases the cost.

C16 vs C24 Timber FAQs

If you cut C16 or C24, does it lose its grading?

Yes. If the timber is re-sawn in its cross-section or thickness, then its strength grade could be lost. Both of the resulting pieces of timber will need to be re-graded before they can be used.

I need C24 grade timber, but I can’t see a printed mark on the wood?

If you can’t see a printed mark, don’t use it! All graded timber will have a C16 or C24 mark on it. So, if you can’t see the mark, it’s probably not C24 graded.

Is carcassing timber treated?

All of the graded timber at Elliotts has been kiln-tried and then pressure treated to protect it from insect and fungal attacks.

What carcassing sizes do you sell as Elliotts?

All Elliotts branches stock C24 graded carcassing as standard. We supply carcassing timber in the following sizes: Thickness Width Grading Treated 100mm 100mm C24 Grade Yes 75mm 100mm 150mm 200mm 225mm C24 Grade Yes 47mm 50mm* 75mm* 100mm 125mm 150mm 175mm 200mm 225mm 250mm C24 Grade *Except 47 x 50mm and 47 x 75mm Yes 22mm 75mm 100mm 150mm 200mm Ungraded Yes

Speak to your local branch to get information on C24 timber stocks

If you’re looking for C24 timber for your project, we can help. Check out our range of timber, or contact your local Elliotts branch.

elliotts.uk - C16 vs C24 Timber | Timber & Joinery - Elliotts

What sound are mice afraid of?

ultrasonic sounds These pesky animals hate high-intensity ultrasonic sounds. The sounds whose frequencies are greater than 20kHz are regarded as...

Last updated Jul 14, 2018

Are musicians good at math?

It's about time signatures, beats per minute and formulaic progressions. Performing music, therefore, reinforces parts of the brain used when doing...

Last updated Dec 20, 2022

Promotion

What key are butterflies?

The track is played in the key of A♭ major.

Last updated Oct 12, 2019

Promotion

What kind of music makes you smarter?

1. Classical Music. Researchers have long claimed that listening to classical music can help people perform tasks more efficiently. This theory,...

Last updated Jul 26, 2022