Short answer: Looking for all timber species or simply the right wood species for your project? Start with the use case (outdoors, ground contact, structure or visible finish), then pick the durability class, then order. At Houthandel Jan Sok in Meppel we list the species we actually stock - not a catalogue of names we cannot deliver.
This page is the hub. For outdoor use: timber species for outdoors. For ground contact: durability classes and ground contact.
Species in our range
| Species | Typical use | Durability | More |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas fir | Fencing, canopy, decking, cladding | Class 3 (above ground) | Buy Douglas · Shop |
| Impregnated pine | Fencing, posts, budget garden timber | After impregnation ~class 3 / UC4 | Pine & spruce · Shop |
| Spruce | Structure, roof, indoor work | Class 4–5 (not permanent outdoors) | Shop spruce |
| Oak | Beams, boards, visible work, long life | Class 2 (heartwood) | Oak · Shop |
| Azobé | Sheet piling, heavy ground contact | Class 1 | What is azobé? · Hardwood |
| Okan | Decking, terraces, sheet piling | Class 1 | What is okan? |
| Tali | Decking / structural hardwood | Class 1 | What is tali? |
| Cumaru | Premium decking | Class 1 | What is cumaru? |
Tropical hardwood needs honest information on origin and use. See tropical hardwood and sustainability.
How to choose the right species
- Define the location - indoor, outdoor above ground, or permanent in soil/waterline.
- Pick durability - class 1–2 for heavy outdoor work; class 3 (Douglas) for many garden projects; impregnated for budget posts.
- Look at appearance and machining - fine-sawn or planed, colour, greying, oil/stain.
- Calculate quantities - or let us help via material calculation.
Comparing two species? Popular guides: Douglas vs impregnated, hardwood vs Douglas, okan vs tali.
Species by project
- Fence - Douglas or impregnated; see buy garden timber and fence costs.
- Deck / terrace - hardwood, Douglas or composite; decking comparison.
- Canopy / carport - usually Douglas; material advice.
- Sheet piling - azobé/okan or Prolock.
- Cladding / weatherboard - Douglas; cladding.
Common mistakes
- Douglas in permanent ground contact - class 3 is not class 1. Use post bases or impregnated/hardwood posts.
- Buying on price alone - the cheapest board gets expensive if you rebuild in five years.
- Skipping the species name - “hardwood” is not a species. Ask for okan, azobé, tali or cumaru.
- Wrong fasteners - oak and many hardwoods need stainless steel, or you get stains.
What we deliberately do not promise
We do not publish an endless list of “every species on earth”. If a species appears here, it belongs to our range or to a guide we maintain. That keeps advice usable: you can order it, collect in Meppel, or have it delivered.
From overview to order: filter here, then open the shop category or a guide. Unsure? Attach photos or a sketch to your quote request. Garden projects: garden timber. Trade: timber for contractors. Phone: 0522 851 551.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find an overview of all timber species?
This page lists the species Houthandel Jan Sok stocks and advises on, with links to the shop and deeper guides. For outdoor-only use, see timber species for outdoors.
Which species lasts longest outdoors?
Tropical hardwood in class 1 (azobé, okan, tali, cumaru) lasts longest, including ground contact. Douglas (class 3) is the standard choice above ground without chemical impregnation.
What is the difference between a species and a product?
The species is the material (Douglas, oak, okan). The product is the form: board, post, weatherboard, decking board. Choose species first, then dimensions in the shop.
Can I combine species in one project?
Yes - for example hardwood posts in the ground with Douglas panels above. Mind colour differences and stainless fasteners for hardwood/oak.