Materials and construction systems

Site: Wintec Learning
Course: NZ Cert. Carpentry Level 4 - Learning
Book: Materials and construction systems
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Date: Wednesday, 10 June 2026, 10:18 AM

Construction systems

A ‘construction system’ describes the materials and methods used to construct the building – foundations, floor, walls, roof.

Three categories of construction systems:

  • Lightweight – e.g. timber, light steel frames
  • Medium – e.g solid timber
  • Heavy (high mass) – e.g. concrete block

Read this article - Construction systems
Read this Smart Guide article for an overview of the three categories of systems and details on some of the options available in each category.
Smart Guide Construction systems

Materials

Timber

Deterioration

Preservation

Grades, defects, seasoning

Knowledge check

J-Frame

J-Frame is a general purpose Structural Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) gauged Framing timber manufactured by Juken New Zealand Ltd (JNL) from Radiata Pine.

For more information: https://www.jnl.co.nz/product/framing

Steel

Alternative materials