What type of timber do I need?
When deciding what type of timber you need for your construction project, there are various rules and recommendations on which types work best for different projects. Different woods offer different properties and come at different costs, so it is worth doing a good amount of research when deciding on the right one for you. Here, we explain a little more about the different types of timber and which will work best for your individual work:
Oak
An extremely popular wood used centuries ago throughout Europe for furniture building, oak remains to this day one of the most popular choices of timber. Available in either red or white, oak is extremely resistant to moisture, making it a great choice for those rooms affected by steam or even for the construction of outdoor furniture.
Cedar
A relatively inexpensive choice of wood, cedar is extremely resistant to moisture, meaning there is no danger of rot in a variety of damp environments and even outside. As a wood, it is fairly straight grained, as well as soft, so it provides an attractive look and feel without costing the earth.
Andrew Beierle http://www.freeimages.com/photo/cedar-shake-shingles-1172579
Pine
Pine is readily available in two main varieties; Cypress and Hoop pine. Effective in its anti-termite properties, pine is particularly popular in warmer climes including parts of Australia. Pine is also fairly inexpensive, making it a good choice for those on a tighter budget with their timber project.
Fir
Fir, or Oregon, is imported from North America and is reddish brown in colour. With a straight grain and fairly soft properties, fir has a particularly high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an extremely popular choice for many construction projects. Although slightly more expensive than some other woods, fir is a cost effective choice promising higher durability than some other, cheaper options.
Mahogany
With a deep, rich colour, mahogany is one of the more sumptuous woods available on the market. Although it tends to be more common in antique pieces, mahogany can be sourced for modern projects though it is not sustainably grown, making it difficult to come by. With a straight grain and medium hardness, it is easy for joiners and carpenters to work with.
Michael & Christa Richert http://www.freeimages.com/photo/mahogani-wood-structure-1189643
Here at Hitchcock and King, we are proud to be one of the UK’s leading suppliers of building materials to customers throughout the country. We have built our business on the principles of stock availability, quality products at competitive prices, fast delivery and great customer service, all of which set us apart from our competitors. For more information on any of our products or services, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team today – we’ll be happy to help with any enquiry, whatever the scale of your project.