Softwoods are used extensively in the building industry for structural components, joinery, wood trim and many less sophisticated purposes. However, to date there has been very little detailed information published to guide those who have to specify softwoods for building. This book provides model specifications for structural, joinery and wood trim uses, referring as necessary to British Standards and Codes on sizes, stress grades, joinery grades, wood trim, glue joints, durability and preservation, including references to the latest versions of the two main codes on preservation. A second part gives background information on the properties of timber including sizes, drying, moisture content, stress grading, joinery grading, durability, preservation, performance in fire, painting and jointing. A further section deals briefly with the availability of softwoods from the Nordic area, Russia, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Portugal, Canada, Brazil and the UK. Written by an acknowledged expert on timber, this book will be welcomed by all concerned with softwoods