Blog & Inspiration
Tips, how-tos and inspiration for your timber project.
EPDM substrate: roof boarding or panel?
Roof boarding gives an attractive ceiling, a panel gives a flatter roof. How to choose the substrate under EPDM, with prices and a worked ex...
Timber merchant range: what you need for building and garden
What makes a timber merchant range complete for building materials and garden timber - and how do you compare fairly?...
What is sheeting? Bank protection explained
Sheeting protects the banks of ponds, ditches and canals. Learn how Azobe hardwood (25–40+ years) and Prolock plastic (50+ years) compare....
What is hardwood? Species, durability and uses
Hardwood such as Okan, Azobe and Tali lasts for decades outdoors without treatment, even in the ground or in water. Species, uses and care e...
What is sheet piling (damwand)?
Sheet piling is a heavier, interlocking wall that retains soil and holds back water. Compare Azobe hardwood and Prolock plastic on lifespan ...
What is Douglas timber? Properties, lifespan and uses
Douglas timber is a strong, warm red-brown softwood in durability class 3. Untreated, it lasts 10 to 15 years above ground, but it should no...
What is EPDM? Rubber roofing for flat roofs
EPDM is a synthetic rubber roofing membrane laid in one seamless sheet. Learn why it suits the flat roof of a canopy, garden house or verand...
What is Okan wood? Class 1 hardwood for ground contact
Okan is a very strong tropical hardwood with class 1 heartwood. It lasts more than 25 years without treatment, even with its feet in the gro...
What is rabat? Overlapping timber cladding explained
Rabat is timber cladding with an overlap that keeps rain out. Learn about Swedish rabat and overlapping boards in Douglas, their uses and ca...
What is Tali wood?
Tali is a tropical hardwood whose heartwood is durability class 1 under EN 350 and lasts 25 years or more untreated, even in the ground or f...
What is Azobe? A guide to tropical hardwood for dam walls & more
Azobe is hardwood from Africa in class 1. It is very hard and very heavy, and correctly installed it commonly lasts 25 to 40 years or more, ...
Hardwood needed, or will Douglas fir or pressure-treated pine do?
Hardwood is only needed when wood sits in the ground or in water, or carries heavy loads such as a busy terrace or a retaining wall along th...
Roof batten dimensions: which batten and counter batten size?
How to choose roof batten dimensions and counter battens for a tiled roof....
Choosing PIR thickness: 20mm, 30mm or 40mm?
Which PIR insulation board fits your renovation? Differences between 20, 30 and 40 mm, and when mineral wool is better....
Knots and timber movement: what is normal?
Knots, colour shifts and a bit of move belong to garden timber. You only claim when it falls outside trade grade....
FSC and PEFC for tropical hardwood: what do the labels mean?
Explanation of FSC and PEFC as signals for tropical hardwood — next to EN 350 and yard advice on the right use....
Pine vs Douglas fir: what is the difference?
Pine vs Douglas compare: class, look, treat, price and when to pick which — including pressure-treated pine....
What is pine timber (grenenhout)?
Pine timber (grenen) is softwood from Scots pine. This guide explains the tree, the traits, why it is not hardwood, and outdoor use....
How long does spruce timber last outdoors?
Spruce with no treat is not for lasting outdoor use. Life with treat, with a coat, and when Douglas is a better pick....
Raised bed from timber: which wood and how to build one?
Build a raised veg bed from Douglas or treated timber. Sizes, life span and the proper fixings in one guide....