American Black Walnut
A beautiful dark timber with lighter shading throughout the grain, walnut looks fantastic alone but can also create distinctive contrast products when mixed with lighter timbers such as Ash.
Common Uses: Staircases, furniture, gunstocks, small turned items, paneling & veneers.
Rot Resistance: Very durable in regards of decay but can be susceptible to insect attacks.
Colour: Colour ranges from light pale brown up to a much darker brown with a purple cast to it.
American White Ash
The timber has a high character grain and is extremely durable for use on interior products. The light colouration means that Ash can easily be graded to much darker shades without losing any of it’s appeal.
Common Uses: Staircases, flooring, boxes/crates, baseball bats and tool handles.
Resistance to Rot: Ash is classified as a perishable timber, with only slight durability and is vulnerable to insect attach.
Appearance: Light to medium brown colour, usually with a straight and regular grain which can sometimes have curly or wiry boards.
American White Oak
Distinct from it’s European counterpart and a little less durable, white oak is not suitable for exterior exposure. However, it is an excellent timber for interior joinery and stains well.
Common Uses: Staircases, furniture, barrels, boatbuilding and veneers.]
Resistance to Rot: Very durable to rot, it is frequently used in boat building and cooperage applications. However it will react badly with iron, especially when it is wet causing discolouration leading to a black stain to emerge.
Colour: light to medium brown with a slight orange overcast.
Oak StaircasesBeach
Generally sourced from Germany, Beech is usually a light orange in colour with an attractive grain and is best suited for internal joinery.
Common Uses: Flooring, boatbuilding, musical instruments and small turned objects.
Rot Resistance: Rated as a nom durable timber or perishable. Also it is acceptable to insect attack.
Colour: Pale beige colour, sometimes with a pink or brown overcast.
European White Oak
Sourced from France, Germany, Belgium and a small amount from the United Kingdom, European Oak is one of the most durable species and is therefore suitable for external products. It’s natural colour and attractive grain makes this Oak extremely appealing. However, due to it’s lighter shade, over exposure to the elements without regular coatings can see areas of this timber turn black.
Common Uses: Staircases, furniture, barrels, boatbuilding and veneers.
Resistance to Rot: Very durable to rot, it is frequently used in boat building and cooperage applications. However it will react badly with iron, especially when it is wet causing discolouration leading to a black stain to emerge.
Colour: light to medium brown with a slight orange overcast.
Oak StaircasesIdigbo
A highly durable West African hardwood which is light in colour. Idigbo is generally used for external products that require a paint finish. Although, by adding a light Oak stain the timber gives a strong likeness in colour to real Oak at a far more affordable cost.
Common Uses: Decking, external furniture, decorative paneling.
Rot Resistance: Little shrinkage or absorbance of moisture, resist to most insect attacks.
Colour: Light brown to yellow colour.
Iroko
Iroko is similar in appearance and has the same properties as Teak. Iroko is one of the most durable timbers available because it contains natural oils and actually needs no preservative whatsoever. It’s colour is initially dark yellow but deepens to a rich brown. A beautiful exterior timber which shows it’s best character with a clear sealant.
Common Uses: Windows, gates, boatbuilding, decking.
Resistance to Rot: Very durable, resistant to both rot as well as insect attack.
Colour: Yellow up to a golden or medium brown, which will gradually darken over time. Texture is coarse to the touch.
Sapele Mahogany
Sourced from central and western Africa, Sapele mahogany is a rich red/brown colour and is suitable for interior and exterior joinery due to it’s character and density.
Common Uses: Veneers, furniture, boatbuilding, musical instruments and flooring.
Resistance to Rot: Resistance can range from moderate to high in regards to rot resistance. insect resistance is moderate.
Colour: Dark reddish brown which will gradually get darker with age. Grain is interlocked as can be wavy.
Scandinavian Redwood
A durable and cost effective softwood, light in colour with knots throughout it’s grain. Scandinavian redwood is a popular alternative to more expensive hardwoods and is commonly used for all interior and exterior painted products.
Common Uses: Construction lumber, paper, posts, utility poles.
Resistance to Rot: Durability can range from moderate to non-durable, regarding decay and resistance. If treated with correct preservatives it can be used in external products such as windows and doors.
Colour: Colour can range from a light reddish brown to a pale yellow.