Timber is a versatile material used in a range of industries and construction projects. It is wood that has been prepared or treated for building and carpentry projects. As a naturally occurring material, timber is readily available and relatively easy to source. It has a multitude of benefits that make it easy to work with and cost effective. Not to mention its versatility and aesthetic value too.

Finding good quality timber can be a challenge for many individuals. Whether you need landscaping supplies or a specific kind of wood for your next carpenting project, finding the right supplier can make all the difference. To find out more about timber, and why you should consider buying from a timber merchant, keep reading!

What Is A Timber Merchant?

Timber merchants offer an extensive range of wood and timber materials, typically for construction trades or a potential DIY buff. Homeware and DIY stores often have a wide selection of timber and wooden materials, but visiting a specialist timber merchant can potentially offer better choices.

There are two main types of timber that you will usually find from a timber merchant:

• Sawn Timber – This is timber that is still rough, generally being used in places that it won’t be seen and for structural supports, underneath flooring for example. It can still be used in exposed places such as decking garden structures or even windows and doors. Sawn timber can be treated to prevent it from decaying and help protect it.
• Planed Timber – Planed timber is quite the opposite. It is smooth, and is typically used in areas that will be visible at the end of a project. This could be anything from floorboards to wooden furniture in your home.

The timber that comes from a timber merchant can often be of a higher quality, as the timber has most definitely come from reputable sources. Here in the UK, timber merchants will often supply a range of products that are needed for construction, repairs and maintenance projects. If you’re looking for a reliable place to source your timber for your next project, it could be worth visiting a timber merchant rather than a DIY store.

Benefits Of Buying From A Timber Merchant

There are a multitude of benefits that come with choosing to buy your landscaping supplies from a timber merchant.

Wider Selection

Your general DIY stores and run of the mill hardware stores may have a good selection of products, however, choosing to shop from a timber merchant can be even better when it comes to choice!

You may be after an unusual type of timber that can’t be found in general stores which is where timber merchants have the advantage. They will have a larger selection of more specialised timbers, and with the help and advice of industry experts, you have a much better chance of finding the products you’re after. This is a preferable option if you’re looking for a specific kind of timber, or seeking some expert knowledge.

Quality

It’s likely that the timber sold by a timber merchant is going to be of a higher quality than what you might find in other stores. Because of their localised knowledge, it is also likely that they will have more in depth knowledge about a range of higher quality products.

No matter the nature of your project, having reliable and high quality materials can make a world of difference

Specialist Knowledge

Another great benefit of shopping from a timber merchant rather than your regular DIY store is the localised knowledge and experience that you may lack from other stores. They will have extensive knowledge about the range of products they sell, different timber treatments and more knowledge about where the timber was sourced.

Depending on the type of project you are carrying out, you may be looking for a very specific or niche type of timber, and industry experts will be able to help you find these products as well as offer other alternatives.

Personal Service

You might find with timber specialists that the delivery of service is friendly and more personal! Because they have more industry knowledge, they will be able to discuss options, alternatives and solutions with you. Buying from a friendly and informed store can enhance your shopping experience.

You may want to discuss your project with staff to hear what they have to say and use their advice to ensure your project runs to the best of its ability.

Timber Uses & Products

Timber can be applied and used in a plethora of ways and industries. These are just a few examples of where timber can be used and the kind of products it can create.

Garden Sheds

Garden sheds are just one example of garden builds that can benefit from timber. Anything from sheds to summerhouses, outdoor bars or other garden builds can be a great project to get stuck into. Timber is extremely versatile and if it is treated correctly, its lifespan could be 15 years or even more.

Bespoke Gates

If you’re thinking about getting a new gate for your home, you may want to consider timber as your material of choice. As mentioned, if you have our timber treated, its lifespan could extend over a decade.

Additionally, timber is an easy material to handle and cut, meaning you can afford to get creative with your bespoke design choices. This doesn’t need to be limited to your gate, and many structures made with timber should be customisable.

Construction Materials

It’s no secret that timber is often used as a construction material in a range of industries. From landscaping and building trades to supporting the structure of your home, timber products are versatile and multifunctional. These are some examples of where you might spot timber in your home:

• Rafters
• Beams
• Firebreaks
• Supports

Timber can also be used in structurally engineered wood products which might be used in more intense work environments. If timber needs to sustain a high weight load or capacity, it can be fabricated into a stronger material to cope with the needs of a business.

Furniture

Timber can contribute to so many pieces of your furniture, including anything from cabinets and wardrobes to laminate flooring and tables. There are so many options when it comes to timber furniture.

Not only is timber furniture likely to be high quality, it is often built to last and will have a long lifespan. Buying quality furniture can prevent it breaking and stop you needing to replace your furniture every few years.

Paper & Pulp

You may not know this, but a lot of paper products are actually created using ‘Pulpwood’ from timber. Anything from books, magazines, newspapers and other printed items all come from timber.

Scrap & Waste

A lot of scrap and waste material from timber, such as wood shavings and sawdust are often combined with different adhesives to create new products. This includes things like chipboard, light and medium density fibreboards and other inexpensive wood products. These materials are then used in low-expense furniture items or for furniture parts!

Hales Sawmills

Here at Hales Sawmills, we offer a range of landscaping and construction materials from gates and fencing to tools and hardware. We are one of the UK’s leading timber merchants supplying quality timber at extremely competitive prices.

All of our timber products are pressure treated as a standard procedure, meaning your timber will have a low maintenance requirement and a longer life! We offer both green and brown treated timber, and if you’re unsure of what you need for your project, our team will be happy to help and point you in the right direction! We stock a range of products outside of our timber range too. If it’s decking cleaner or animal houses you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered.

In addition, we pride ourselves on accommodating any order size. Whether it be a couple of items or a bulk order, we are happy to help with delivery running Monday to Friday.

Contact Us

For further enquiries about our range of products or how we can help you, feel free to get in touch with us today! Our team will be happy to speak to you and answer any questions you might have.