Timber is truly nature’s incredible material that humans have always used for building. It comes in wide varieties, smooth or knotted, deep red or honey-coloured, straight-grained or wavy – no two logs are the same. That’s part of the charm.

What is timber, really?

Timber is wood that has been sawn, planed or otherwise prepared for use in construction and making things; floors, fences, furniture, decking, frames, sheds… You get the idea. It is tough, strong and easy to work with. For Timber Frame House Kits, visit https://merlintimberframe.co.uk/timber-frame-kits

The quick boring version: softwood vs hardwood

Softwood (pine and spruce) is less expensive than most types, grows faster, and is often used in construction or outdoor projects.

Hardwood (oaks, etc.) grows more slowly and is most commonly dense with the intended use of product quality.

It turns out that whilst “hardwood” isn’t always harder than “softwood”, it’s not about the feel, but more about whether a tree is deciduous or evergreen.

Timber dimensionally moves (and why that is how it should be)

Wood reacts to moisture. It has room to grow, can shrink very small and even get a little bit-shaped with the seasons. Or, as is the case with good joinery development, allows for movement and therefore using timber that has been ‘seasoned’ before fitting floors or panelling is a clever move.

The best bit

Timber ages well. It can be sanded, patched up, stained down, painted over, oiled and resurrected. Take care of it, and it doesn’t just last, it gets better with age.