Thanks to its versatility and range of benefits, Timber’s popularity is soaring across the UK. Being the only carbon-neutral building material, it is perfect for any construction job you might have. Here at Integrated Timber Solutions, we are here to ensure you know what to look for to ensure you are buying the best quality to suit your project.
What to look for in good quality timber
Good-quality timber boasts a range of characteristics that you can check when shopping around.
- Elasticity – a sign of strength, good-quality timber should be slightly elastic
- Weight – it should be as heavy as it looks, lightweight timber is a sign of weakness
- Structure – it will have an even structure with straight, firm fibres
- Appearance – it should be free from visible defects and appears shiny when cut
- Colour – a darker colour is a sign of strength
- Workability – it should be easily sawed and not damage the teeth of the saw.
- Permeability – it should not absorb more than 8-12% of water by its weight when placed in water.
Visible defects to look out for
As mentioned before, good-quality timber will be free from visible defects. Here are some things you should be looking out for when choosing the right materials for your project.
- Knots – Knots are the most common defect due to their natural occurrence. Knots are a sign of weakness in the timber
- Water Stains – Water stains damage the colour of the timber and affect its appearance
- Chemical Stains – Similar to water stains, chemical stains can also damage the colour of the timber and affect its appearance
- Shakes – Shakes are cracks in the wood that separates the fibres, weakening the strength and durability of the timber
- Dry Rot – This is a type of fungus that eats the wood, again weakening its strength and stability
- Wet Rot – This type of fungus thrives in wet conditions, decomposing the timber into a grey/brown powder, unfit for anything
How it is dried
One of the most important things to consider when buying timber is how it’s dried, either by air or by kiln. Air dried timber is easy to use however due to its higher moisture content, it requires constant drying to avoid shrinking. Kiln dried timber boasts a range of benefits and can be used without any acclimatisation. By drying it in a kiln, you minimise the chance of fungus and pest affecting the wood, increasing its shelf life. Kiln drying also reduces the moisture content of your wood, minimising shrinkage in the future.
With over 25 years in the industry, our team at Integrated Timber Solutions have a wide range of expertise and knowledge, specialising in kiln dried timber for pallets, crates and other timber products you might need. By following all regulations strictly we ensure that our timber is heat treated for 30 minutes at 56°C.
Contact us today to chat to our team of experts about ordering the timber you need or any further queries you may have.
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