Timber Trade Topics seeks to give you a brief run down on all the need to know information about timber, from installing roof battens and cladding through to treatment, species and sourcing sustainable timber.
Created in partnership with Wood Campus, these topics draw on industry expertise to help get you up with the basics. If you have any questions about a Timber Trade Topic, please do not hesitate to contact us.
On this page:
Timber is the most sustainable mainstream building product. It is naturally renewable. Over 90% of timber used in UK construction comes from Europe, where more trees are grown than harvested. However, it is important all businesses do due diligence to ensure they are using sustainably sourced timber.
Read more on this Timber Trade Topic.
Wood is a popular material for windows offering beauty, versatility and sustainability which stands out against competing materials such as PVC. Whether using a traditional hardwood, or treated timber, it is important to get installation right to get the best life span for your window.
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Fire doors and doorsets play a critical role withstanding a fire and/or smoke for a specific period of time saving people’s lives in the process. With buildings coming under increasing scrutiny in the news for their failure to comply with fire regulations, it is important that you keep up to date on how to mitigate a fire from spreading.
One of the most essential components of timber is its strength grading, this assess each piece of timber according to rules that define the size, type and number of strength-reducing characteristics allowed in each grade.
Span tables determine the size of a timber member of a particular strength class required for a given span, as well as the maximum spacing between each section or timber member.
Roof battens are not just to provide footholds for roofers, but are an important part of the roof structure itself. They take the loads imposed by slates or tiles as well as loads from snow and wind.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a solid-wood construction panel made from at least three layers of lamella (pine or spruce) glued crosswise. CLT is one of the most popular timber materials and has experienced double-digit growth since it was introduced in early 2000 and this trend is expected to continue in the years to come.
Engineered wood products are timber products that have been engineered to remove natural weaknesses and enhance natural strengths. They provide stronger, longer, wider and more stable solutions than natural timber.
Sheet materials are structural and non-structural panels engineered from both solid timber and recycled timber using different types of adhesives.
When using a natural material, such as timber it is important to make sure it is stored properly; otherwise it can quickly ruin and would no longer be suitable for purpose.
Using timber for decking provides a unique external environment and can be used to create patterns and angles, replicating or complementing the building envelope that is capable of giving a service life of at least 15 years.
Timber cladding has become a hugely popular feature on buildings and structures across the UK, however the durability, service life, movement and strength can vary depending on the type of timber.
Timber’s natural appearance and versatility can immediately enhance any garden. It is important to choose the right timber for the job so that it will last longer. Timber garden products can last for at least years and this page provides information that will help maximise their service life.
Preservative treatment provides wood with added durability. However, it’s a mistake to assume that all pressure treated wood is the same. Whilst one piece of treated wood may look very much like any other, the level of preservative protection could be very different.
Timber is a versatile material and can be supplied in a wide range of shapes, sizes and products. When fixing wood components together, or to other materials, there are many different types to consider.
When it comes to flooring, there are few materials better than match the character and warmth of wood. Available in a range of styles, sizes and species, it is important to fit the perfect floor.
The enormous variety of available timber species makes it one of the most popular materials, but also one of the most complex as each species has different textures, colours and performance characteristics.
Coatings are applied to maximise service life and minimise maintenance costs, they can also provide stunning decorative finishes.
Timber can be used effectively in a variety of ways to improve the performance of any loft conversion. It can help to ensure compliance with Building Regulations for practical purposes such as energy-efficient thermal insulation, acoustic insulation and suitable access; and provide a pleasing aesthetic effect for any room in the roof.
