What's the difference between timber and lumber?

Great question! The terms timber and lumber can sometimes be confusing because they’re related but used differently depending on where you are and the context. Here’s the breakdown:

• Timber:

• Generally refers to wood that is still in larger, more natural or rough forms.

• In many places (especially in the UK and Commonwealth countries), “timber” means wood that’s been processed but still in big pieces — like beams, posts, or logs suitable for construction.

• It can also refer to standing trees or wood ready to be cut.

• Lumber:

• Mostly used in North America to mean wood that has been processed into planks, boards, or smaller pieces ready for use in construction or woodworking.

• Lumber is usually cut, planed, and sometimes dried wood, standardized in sizes (like 2x4s).

• Basically, lumber is timber that’s been processed into usable building material.

In short:

• Timber = bigger, rougher wood, often still in structural form.

• Lumber = processed, cut, and finished wood ready for building.

Does that help? Would you like examples of how each is used?