Wood cupping
Wood cupping describes where a plank or piece of wood bends across it with or across its grain and is the impact of shrinkage. When wood is observed in cross secrion wood cuts normally cup in the opposite direction to the flow of growth rings.
This characteristic may be used to its advantage for example where two layers of wood planks are used as roof sarking or vertically in fencing. In a roof the outermost planks are laid to cup downwards, whilst the layers beneath are laid to cup upwards, this causes the plank curves to tighten against each other over time, thus creating a better seal for the roof face.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Carpentry.
- Facts about forestry.
- Janka hardness rating scale.
- Nails - a brief history.
- Sustainable timber.
- Staircase.
- The differences between hardwood and softwood.
- The use of timber in construction.
- Timber.
- Timber vs wood.
- Types of timber.
- Types of timber species.
- Whole life carbon assessment of timber.
- Wood around the world.
Featured articles and news
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherit assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.
The 2025 draft NPPF in brief with indicative responses
Local verses National and suitable verses sustainable: Consultation open for just over one week.
Increased vigilance on VAT Domestic Reverse Charge
HMRC bearing down with increasing force on construction consultant says.
Call for greater recognition of professional standards
Chartered bodies representing more than 1.5 million individuals have written to the UK Government.
Cutting carbon, cost and risk in estate management
Lessons from Cardiff Met’s “Halve the Half” initiative.
Inspiring the next generation to fulfil an electrified future
Technical Manager at ECA on the importance of engagement between industry and education.
Repairing historic stone and slate roofs
The need for a code of practice and technical advice note.
Environmental compliance; a checklist for 2026
Legislative changes, policy shifts, phased rollouts, and compliance updates to be aware of.
UKCW London to tackle sector’s most pressing issues
AI and skills development, ecology and the environment, policy and planning and more.
Managing building safety risks
Across an existing residential portfolio; a client's perspective.
ECA support for Gate Safe’s Safe School Gates Campaign.
Core construction skills explained
Preparing for a career in construction.
Retrofitting for resilience with the Leicester Resilience Hub
Community-serving facilities, enhanced as support and essential services for climate-related disruptions.
Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.