European Hardwoods

Variety of species

Hardwoods from Europe are well accepted as being some of the highest quality in the world. Users can enjoy the best there is when it comes to the attention to detail given to the growing of, right through to the packaging and delivery of our signature species. From the rich colour of European Oak, Elm, and chestnut, to the lustrous sheen of French Walnut, there is specie’s out there for everyone and every application. The true degree of skill applied to the drying, kilning, and grading of these timbers ensures that when converted it will provide the user with a pleasurable hassle free experience and a product that can be enjoyed for many years to come

Standard of Grading

European grading systems are put in place to ensure transparency in the timber trade. They are strict, well accepted guidelines that will provide accurate information to the user so as an informed decision can be made on what grade of timber is suitable for the application it is being used for. 

An example of grading can be well defined in European oak. Grades are stipulated by the presence, size and/or frequency of knots and splits on the ‘best face’ of the plank or board. The characteristics of the worst face are taken into account if they are likely to affect the performance of the timber in its intended use. Letters indicate the specie and form of the timber e.g. QB1 (Quercus, Boule), and the number denotes the grade

Q = Oak (Quercus is the Latin for oak)

B = Waney edged boards

F = Square edged boards            

P = Beams

This link will provide a more in depth explanation with regards to the grading systems.

www.forestry.gov.uk

Sustainability

Most European timber exported to the united kingdom, conforms to the strict criteria set out by a world recognized organization PEFC, An international non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable forest management. PEFC is an abbreviation of: PROGRAM for the ENDORSMENT of FOREST CERTIFICATION. When a timber merchant gains rights to use the PEFC logo, they have proven to the organization that timber imported, stocked and sold with the PEFC logo can be traced back to the forest from where it had grown to ensure the timber was from a sustainable source.