3x2 CLS Timber

What Is 3x2 CLS Timber?

CLS 3x2 timber offers a practical, easy-to-handle solution for indoor building projects like stud walls and partitions.

CLS stands for Canadian Lumber Standard, a grading system borrowed from North America that guarantees uniform size and predictable strength.

The boards come from slow-grown spruce, pine, or fir (collectively called SPF) and are planed all round with the arrises knocked off so they’re kinder on hands, plasterboard, and vapour membranes.

Most merchants stock this section in a C16 grade. That mark tells you the timber reaches a minimum bending strength of 16 N/mm² - plenty for stud partitions, service walls, and light roof infill. 

It won’t match the higher capacity of C24, but it more than earns its keep in everyday housebuilding and keeps costs down.

Because the timber is straight, light, and easy on saw blades, carpenters turn to it for:

• Studwork and room dividers.
• Boxing-in pipe runs.
• Trimming small floor openings.
• Soffit framing and other light carcassing jobs.

Each length arrives kiln-dried for stability, which means fewer surprises after fixing. Rounded corners speed up handling in tight loft spaces, and the smooth faces take screws or nails without splitting.

Where is 3x2 CLS Timber Used? 

While CLS 3x2 supports tasks like framing and carcassing, it is not designed to bear the load of a building's structural framework. 

Instead, its primary use lies in creating practical and sturdy partitions and non-structural interior frameworks.

Whether you have your heart set on creating an en-suite in your bedroom or you simply want to partition the kitchen to create a utility room, 3x2 CLS helps to actualise your framing visions.

3x2 CLS Studwork Timber Benefits 

• Ideal for interior framing and carcassing applications
• Rounded edges and planed on all four sides - easy to handle
• Kiln dried for extra stability
• Slow grown to ensure stable composition 

Understanding the C16 Grading of 3x2 CLS

C16 grading is a classification standard for structural timber used in the UK and Europe. Timber is graded based on its strength, stiffness, and density, ensuring it is suitable for structural applications. 

Grading can be either visual or machine-based, with C16 being one of the most common grades available.

C16 timber meets specific performance criteria:

• Strength: Sufficient for use in most residential and light commercial building projects.
• Knots and Defects: C16 allows for more visible knots and imperfections compared to higher grades like C24, but these do not compromise its structural integrity when used appropriately.
• Applications: C16 is suitable for indoor and sheltered outdoor use, making it a versatile choice for general construction purposes. It should be noted that this variant is not suitable for direct ground contact due to its natural tendency to expand and contract. As a natural product, timber can be affected by changes in temperature, room conditions and humidity.