The Use of Wood In Boxes

Publish date: June 18, 2011 1:29 pm

Wood Introduction

Wooden boxes used for storage and transportation are also known as crates. They are the ideal containers for storing shipping items that have to be transported long distances. Wood is obtained from trees in different types, such as hardwoods, exotic woods, softwoods and figured woods. The bark of the trees is removed and then the log is cut into flat pieces to form wooden boards. These boards are pressed to produce the lumber. The work involves, cutting the lumber to size, joining it, assembling it and preparation of the surface and finishing it, if necessary.

Many sizes of wooden crates are available for packing purposes. Plywood is cut with saws to form the different sides of the box, according to the measurements required. Pine boards can be used on the sides of the board but not for the bottom. The sides are nailed together to form an open container, with nails along the sides. After the crate or wooden box is packed with the required material, the top plywood piece is also nailed in. For heavy duty storage containers, you can even attach hinges on the packing crate. You can also attach a lock in order to give greater security to the material inside.

Why Wood is used for Boxes

Wood has many qualities, such as strength, stiffness and hardness and hence is the ideal material for making boxes. It has several other virtues, such as being attractive, being easily available and it is also very easy to work with, unlike metals. If you take proper care of it, it will also last forever. Boxes can be made with oak, pine or particle board. Even if you drop the box, it will not break or dented. Sometimes, the wood can get chipped off, but this can also be repaired with the use of fillers. It is a natural material and you can also have engravings done on it very easily. It is used when people move to new houses to transport their goods from one place to another. It is also used in industries for storing and transporting goods, through ships and also by road. Wooden boxes are also useful for just storing things at home or in the office.

Wood Strength

Less energy is required to make wooden boxes and it is very versatile. The strength of wood or its ability to resist loads is quite high and it is considered reasonably strong, but this is dependent on the knots and splits in the wood. It is a natural polymer and the long chains of cellulose fibers make it very strong. The cellulose is very tough and it is easier to split the board along the line of the grain than across the grain. Hence the boxes are made in such a manner that the fibers support the load and the parts are cut so that the grain continuously running throughout the length of the board. They can support a heavy load.

However, wood is more expensive than plastic and should also be kept away from moisture, as water can damage it to the extent that it cannot be repaired. Additionally, you cannot see anything through wooden boxes, unlike glass boxes.

Types of Wooden Boxes

Wooden boxes are made from timber or lumber and plywood depending on the use. There are many types of wooden boxes used for shipping and transportation, such as a nailed wooden box, a cleated box, a skid box and a wire bound box. A nailed box consists of pieces of lumber attached with nails and other fasteners, having a bottom and four sides with a removable top which is attached after placing the goods inside. Cleated boxes are made of plywood or corrugated fiberboard and have five to six strips attached to each other. In wire bound boxes, the wood cleats are stapled together with wires and these are lighter than the crates but very strong. Boxes made of corrugated fiberboard and attached to a platform which has a skid are known as skid boxes. Apart from these general wooden boxes, there are also decorative boxes and chests.

Storage and Use Recommendations

Wooden boxes used for jewelry or as a gift box should be protected well. You can varnish them periodically so that they do not get affected by pest and changing weather conditions, especially moisture. If you are storing valuable items in it, you need to use termite control to protect it from rotting. Wooden boxes should be dusted regularly; otherwise the particles can build up and become a permanent part of the wood. Crates and other utility boxes should be stored away from moisture and must be left covered for storing. It should also be kept away from sunlight or any other sudden temperature changes, as it might contract or expand. Wood shrinks and swells due to moisture changes and so the environment needs to be consistent. You must not place wooden boxes near fireplaces, radiators or near any air conditioners.