Composite construction combines the structural and architectural features of components made from different materials. In Composite construction, various materials may work independently or act together homogeneously, but are always better than a single material. Timber can be very flexible under loads, keeping strength while bending, and is incredibly strong when compressed vertically. Timber is much weaker in compression perpendicular to the grain than in compression parallel to the grain. Timber exhibits its greatest strength in tension parallel to the grain. Steel is considered isotropic, meaning that its properties are the same in any direction.