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FAQ: The abbreviation FENSA stands for FENESTRATION - SELF ASSESSMENT. The uk dictionary definition of the word fenestral or fenestrate is " belonging to or like a window" The word fenestration is "the arrangement of windows in a building". FENSA is used by double glazing uk trade companies to certify that their replacement windows and doors installed comply with Building Regulations Document L (and more), actually checking av. 1% of all replacement windows installations. Did You Know?
Softwoods: Most of our softwood today comes from the evergreens such as Spruce, Fir and Pine, and from Scandinavia. A large amount of Spruce did come from Russia, and it was pretty good and often quite 'clear', but unfortunately the forests there have been pretty well decimated now. The timber itself is called 'deal' in the trade and this always makes it sound more expensive to me. Also, and I don't know why, but the description 'joinery quality douglas fir' does have a certain ring to it, although to be fair it is the better of softwoods and can be almost 'clear', that is without knots. Softwood as we know is much cheaper than hardwoods and so for economy it is used extensively for either parts which are not seen, or where in many cases it is stained and mocked up to fool the eye to look as if it is hardwood, as in the case with a great many of the mass produced window frames of today, and being fitted 'wholesale' to new houses. Piranha pine is a good softwood, clear, and with distinctive orangey streaks, and quite often used for open stairs. There is also the very popular current 'knotty pine' furniture - which although looks nice, is actually just softwood - sorry and all that. The cheapest of the softwoods is Spruce, and this is typically what you will get if you go into a timber merchant and buy a plank of (knotty and often split) softwood. Common faults in wood are: splits running along the grain, warping, twisting (wind), and 'thunder shakes' across the grain. As far as I remember being taught my woods, grains and joints some 40 years ago, these 'shakes' are actually caused when the tree is felled. Personal note: As a 'trainee wood machinist' in my teens, I did it as a subject at college one day a week for two years, and I actually came 1st in practical in my second year, although I recon I've forgotten more than I remember, I know I look at some grains and cannot even place the type of wood at times! More specific information about: Hardwoods Wooden Windows Go to Woods main page
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