Which timber is right for you?

Whether buying your Garden Furniture from us or another company, we hope the following may help you choose the right timber for you & your family...

OAK
When you first take delivery of an Oak piece, the wood is a warm golden colour that over time weathers to a soft silver. The ancient Romans called oak “robur,” and they used the same word figuratively to mean “strength.” The wood of the oak tree is indeed strong, and it has other qualities as well. The oak tree grows slowly and lives for a long time. This long, slow development gives oak wood great strength. Oak wood has a greater density (i.e. mass per unit volume) than the wood of most trees. The density of the wood of the live oak (Quercus virginiana) almost equals the density of water. Oak grown in Northern Europe is much denser than that grown in Southern Europe, making it naturally more hard wearing. Oak wood is durable and resistant to decay. The oaken shrine of Edward the Confessor, an English king who died in 1066 A.D. is still well-preserved today.

WESTERN RED CEDAR
The incredibly durable nature of Western Red Cedar makes it ideal for outdoor garden furniture. Being a very stable wood and full of natural oils means it is protected against decay even without regular treatment. Western Red Cedar has a warm reddish apricot colour when new, but as with Oak , it will weather to a beautiful pewter grey colour. Western Red Cedar (Thuja Plicata) is a lightweight softwood of the Cypress Family and is renowned for its natural durability. Like all woods, Western Red Cedar is hygroscopic and will absorb or discharge moisture to attain equilibrium with the surrounding atmosphere. However, it has a very low shrinkage factor and is superior to all other coniferous woods in its resistance to warping, twisting and checking. Western Red Cedar is also naturally durable and requires no external treatment. It is used extensively in the use of wooden roof tiles called shingles.

CHESTNUT
Native to the deciduous woodlands of southern Europe, western Asia and north Africa, and a member of the same family as oak and beech, the sweet chestnut is thought to have been introduced to the British Isles by the Romans. As with Oak its wood contains many tannins, this renders Chestnut very durable, gives it an excellent natural outdoor resistance and saves the need for other protective treatment. Like Oak and Western Red Cedar, over time it mellows to a beautiful silver hue and requires no external treatment.

ACCOYA ®
Accoya® wood is the result of decades of research and development that has brought together a long-established, extensively proven wood modification technique and leading-edge patented technology – acetylation to create a high performance wood, ideal for outdoor use. Accoya® offer a 25 year guarantee.

PAINTED PINE
Pine is a softwood which grows in most areas of the Northern Hemisphere. There are more than 100 species worldwide. Pine is a soft, white or pale yellow wood which is light weight and straight grained. It resists shrinking and swelling. Knotty pine is often used for decorative effect. Pine is often used for country or provincial furniture. Pine will need to be preservative treated when being used outdoors. Pickled, whitened, painted and oil finishes are often used on this wood. Many people like the way the painting will fade over time and that small shakes and cracks may appear, giving it a “shabby chic” feel as it takes on a more weathered appearance.