A Short Guide To Selecting The Right Timber
Purchasing timber from merchants is never a matter of lucky encounter, especially when the market is dotted with hundreds of such service providers. There are a lot of considerations when it comes to selecting the right timber merchant for fulfilling the building needs.
Known & Unknown Aspects Of Timber Grading
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Timber is the most sustainable building product which is a naturally renewable resource. UK’s 97% of timber is sourced from Europe. The timber is sourced from a area equivalent to 3 football grounds and they are increasing on daily basis as a part of the sustainable program. For guaranteeing the renewable nature of hardwood and softwood, certifications of PEFC and FSC are given. It is imperative to ask the timber merchants for these validations.
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The purposes of using timber are many, and each of them has unique characteristics. It is important to know the strength of timber and for that grading is required for ensuring the timber’s ability to do a particular job likea roof truss or a floor joist. Knowing the strength of timber thereby reduces the cost by eliminating over-speculation. Grading is undertaken either by machine or visual assumtions.
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Visual strength grading requires the grader’s experience across a variety of factors for estimating the load a specific length of timber can take. Machine strength grading is considered to be best suited for high volumes of timber in which cross section and variety are not altered frequently. For example, when a timber is cut, they are re-sawn into smaller chunks which have to be re-graded.
- Machine Grading is based on determining the strength and stiffness of the timber. This system grades individual timber pieces and stamps them with relevant markings. The rules that govern the structural uses and strength grading of timbers are set in British and European standards. A section of the low grade extracted strong species is considered equivalent to the strength of a high grade timber extracted from weak variety. For making specifying easy, the species of timber are grouped I strength-based categories. The most common grade is C16 for softwood carcassing.
Buying Timber? Do The Following!
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Check the prevailing prices of timber in the market before you buy from wood yards, retailers, or even timber merchants. Knowing the market price will prevent you from falling prey to overpaying. The market price generally depends on quantity, quality and length. Long-lasting wood proves to be economical in the long run.
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Each timber dealing business owners have certain varieties and specialties. You need to check each timber from them and decide the best for your purpose.
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Opt for logs that are measured from one end to another. This costs less and results in minimal wearing and tearing.
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The most suitable logs are thin ones. Check out for holes, mildew, cracks and lumps while checking the product. In case there is any issue, refrain from choosing that piece and look for another.
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Scrutinize for the colors of timber by placing mild scratches on them because some dealers are inclined in painting the timber for faster sell off at higher prices. This timber might pose negative impact in the long term and thus, it is advised to select the right one for carpentry or building.
- There occurs certain pieces of wood where cracks and chipped edges are filled or treated with chemicals. You have to check them by rubbing at the suspected marks by using a hard object.Around the same time, it is advised to inspect for any deformity so that you know which piece you must avoid purchasing. Opt for the advice of an expert if needed in your spree to find the right choice.
Lordans Timber is a legacy-laced timber merchant in Kent has harboured in all these years. Contact them to get hold of quality timber at affordable prices.