How to choose the ideal Timber Merchant

Posted on May 23, 2013 by admin

Finding the right materials when you embark on any new construction is half the battle won. Whether it is the timber or the fittings inside the building, whether it is the windows or the flooring, a lot of research needs to be done before finalising the choice of materials. The choice of merchants who supply these materials is the first and one of the most important steps that will set the trend for the rest of the project.

Here at Border Hardwood we can provide a professional and experienced service, helping us to become one of the premier timber merchants in the region.

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Posted in Border Hardwood

How Hardwood Flooring Can Transform Your Home

Posted on April 23, 2013 by admin

The flooring in your home is a very important factor for you to consider. It can not only transform the look and feel of your home, but it can also have a number of other effects. You need to consider what type of flooring you want carefully as it’s something you won’t want to change for a while. Here at Border Hardwood we can help. Continue reading →

Posted in Hardwood

Helping You to Help The Environment

Posted on March 28, 2013 by admin

Just because you need a lot of wood to complete a project doesn’t mean you can’t be responsible about it. There are a number of ways you can make the whole process better for the environment and a number of choices you can make. We here at Border Hardwood are one of those choices. Continue reading →

Posted in Timber Merchants

Supplying Only The Best European Oak

Posted on February 13, 2013 by admin

As the cold of winter begins to ascend it makes way for the rejuvenating blossom of spring, it is around this time of year that many people look to what 2013 has in store for them. From exciting challenges to new ventures, the rebirth of spring provides the greatest of platforms.

So if you’re in need of quality oak and hardwood supplies for your projects, look no further than us here at Border Hardwood. High quality European Oak really is our specialty as we strive to maintain our reputation that spans over a century.

Supplying a range of hardwoods to the construction and restoration industries, our experience and expertise in the supply and preparation of our renowned hardwoods is complimented by our bespoke service tailored to you. Our freshly sawn beams are stocked and treated ready to serve a whole host of purposes.

Quality European Oak Suppliers

What really makes us stand out against our competitors is the quality of our European Oak. We have developed strong relationships and associations with our suppliers in Europe meaning that we can source only the best European Oak around. Whether you’re looking for air dried oak beams, kiln dried oak or joinery grade oak, we will process and deliver your timber nationwide.

European Oak is often the first choice to fulfil a number of uses due to a number of contributing attributes. It is remarkably strong and durable meaning it can function for a considerably long time. From timber beams to wooden flooring, the choice to use European Oak is one that combines longevity and strength with a spectrum of attractive tones and longstanding traditional heritage.

We are proud to offer such a range of the finest quality European Oak. If you’re in need of a specific hardwood, sawn-to-size requirements or are simply enquiring about our products, be sure to check out our website and see how we can help you this 2013.

Posted in Timber Merchants

What Factors Affect Timber Strength?

Posted on January 10, 2013 by admin

We are proud to provide an in-house structural grading service ensuring that our timber meets the performance levels that are demanded from them. Whether you’re in the construction and restoration industry, craftsman and joinery sector or a DIY fanatic, with the help of Border Hardwood, you will be able to find the timber you need for the right job.

As timber merchants in Liverpool, Birmingham and Stoke as well as nationwide, you can have faith in the vast array of our Tropical, American and European timbers as well as Traditional English and European oak.
With the facilities and equipment to properly store, supply and saw our hardwood, it is no surprise we are the first choice when it comes to timber supply.

Hardwood and timber grading can be a confusing prospect which is why we pride ourselves on ensuring simple and effective grading’s that are clear to understand. With strength an important factor to consider when dealing with timber, what factors can affect its overall strength?

1. Sloping Grain

This is the direction at which the timbers grain is located. Any load that is not applied in this direction will be resisted by lower strength and stiffness characteristics which must be considered when designing. An algebraic equation can quickly provide the reduction in strength resulting from a sloping grain.

2. Moisture

The timbers mechanical properties can begin to become affected when confronted with high levels of moisture as its cell walls become less compact. In order to have comparable results, correction factors are used to adjust moisture content to certain standards.

3. Density

This is the measure of the wood’s substance contained in a given volume. Wood floats on water suggesting that it must contain numerous cell cavities and pores providing a good indicator as to the strength of the wood.

4. Temperature

The reversible effects of temperature on timber means that the wood’s mechanical properties decrease when heated and increase when cooled, if the change is rapid. At high temperatures however, there is a permanent degradation of the woods substance due to a loss of weight and strength.

With these factors in mind, you can have a clearer understanding of what to bear in mind when designing, constructed or restoration. For more information, be sure to check out our website and contact us.

Posted in Timber Merchants

Supplying For Timber For Your 2013 Projects

Posted on December 11, 2012 by admin

With the turn of the new year almost upon us, you may have planned or be in the process of planning your projects for 2013. One thing you should have no questions about is where you are going to get your graded timber from.

Here at Border Harwood, we take pride in the quality of our graded timber and strive to maintain this high standard. A professional and reputable outfit, our timber is professionally processed through kiln drying, machining and sawing and can be prepared to meet your own requirements. Our association with European suppliers means that you will receive the finest timber and oak around.

Reputable Timber Merchant

Our qualified and exceptionally skilled team are there to offer you honest and friendly advice on our in-house structural grading service. We pride ourselves in the fact that we are one of the leading timber merchant in Liverpool, Birmingham, Stoke and the surrounding areas, as well as delivering nationwide.

At Border Hardwood, we understand the importance of looking after our environment in an eco-efficient way. Our PEFC certification means that our Oak and Timber is renewably sourced meaning that we are in support of tree replantation.

We Meet Your Requirements

Your needs are always our main concern which is why we provide Sawn-to-Size and Machining services ensuring that you receive the timber you want. By submitting a list of requirements, you can require the timber you want with no wastage and a fixed timber cost. This can save you time, labour and money meaning that you will be able to utilise your skills in creating a finished product.

Whatever projects you have planned for the New Year, be sure to call on Border Hardwood to supply you with your timber, safe in the knowledge that it will be of the finest quality and cut-to-size ready for use. For more information on our timber, oak and hardwoods, check out our website or call one our regional numbers.

Posted in Uncategorized

Timber Grading’s Explained: A Guide to Grading Hardwood

Posted on November 29, 2012 by admin

The grading of a hardwood is a way of classifying its thickness, moisture content and strength – all important factors when choosing which materials to use for a project. It is a matter of durability, efficiency and most importantly, safety.

At Border Hardwood, we pride ourselves in the quality of our hardwoods and our attention to timber classification. Whilst providing hardwood for the Stoke, Liverpool and Birmingham regions, we also operate nationwide ensuring that our range of timber is available for supply wherever you may be.

Upon inspection, these grading’s scribbled on our timber may look confusing. But they do in fact follow a strict and essential set of guidelines with regards to the properties of the Hardwood in question.

Thickness

This can be categorised into HS, TH1, TH2, THA and THB.

HS is only available to tropical hardwoods such as Balue and Greenheart

TH1 and TH2 relate to timber that has a thickness of less than 100mm and a cross-sectional thickness that is less than 20,000mm2. These tend to be general structure hardwoods. TH1 is a higher grade than TH2.

THA and THB refer to timber than has a thickness greater than 100mm and a cross-sectional thickness greater than 20,000mm2. These tend to be heavy structural temperature hardwoods. In conjunction with the above, THA is a higher grade than THB

Moisture Content

Dry graded timber with an average moisture content of 20% or less is marked DRY, or KD if kiln-dried. If the average moisture content exceeds 20% then the timber will be marked WET.

In concurrence with the above, the next set of grading refers to the humidity of surrounding air set at a temperature of 20oC. It exceeds 65% for a few weeks of the year, it can be graded as Service Class 1. If this exceeds 85%, then the hardwood falls into the Service Class 2 category. Any percentage higher is regarded as Service Class 3.

Strength Classes

The strength of the hardwood falls into a D30, D40, D50, D60 and D70 categories, each with their own specific technical requirements and properties from tension, to elasticity, to strength, to grain compression. Upon reference to a table, you will be able to see which hardwood is best suited for your project.

Without these grading’s, joinery, restoration and construction would be inefficient, unsafe and unpredictable. If you are an architect or work in construction, you can be sure to trust Border Hardwood to provide the right wood for the right job.

Posted in Timber Merchants

Top 3 Benefits of Oak Flooring

Posted on September 19, 2012 by admin

There are a multitude of ingredients that go into making the perfectly designed home, from wallpaper to furniture, but one aspect you may have overlooked as being important is your flooring. Here at Border Hardwood we understand that a great floor needs to do more than just look great, and as one of the premier timber suppliers in Liverpool we have years of experience in providing households with fantastic oak wood that is ideal for families of all kinds.

So why should you choose oak wood over the various other alternatives?

A Diverse and Dynamic Aesthetic

To achieve a consistent decor it is essential that you choose a flooring that is suitable for the rest of your space, but with oak wood flooring you have a solution that looks great in all environments. From subtle, minimalist aesthetics to homely and traditional rooms, oak provides a traditional and truly sophisticated look.

At Border Hardwood we can also supply you with gorgeous moulded architraves, door linings, beams and trusses to help you develop a consistent aesthetic theme.

Durable and Built to Last

Regardless of where in your home it is, your flooring has to take a lot of punishment from daily foot traffic. Fortunately, we only use the very best timber to ensure you receive an oak wood floor that will stand the test of time. One of the best features of our solid wood flooring is how easy it is to maintain, and it is considerably easier to keep clean than carpet or linoleum, making it the safest and most hygienic option for those families with young children who often play on the floor.

Adding Value to Your Home

As homeowners we are always on the lookout for ways to increase the value of our property, and the installation of a high quality oak wood flooring is a great way to do this. Strong and durable solid wood flooring is a much sought-after feature of home decor, so if your property already has this in place it is a massive attraction for prospective buyers if you ever wish to sell in the future.

If you’d like to find out more about the oak flooring we have here at Border Hardwood, or any of the other timber products we can supply, get in touch with us on 01939 235 550, alternatively complete our online contact form.

Posted in Timber Merchants

Timber Merchants That Care About the Environment

Posted on August 21, 2012 by admin

No matter what industry you work in, you will no doubt have heard lots of talk about protecting the environment and doing your bit to safeguard the planet we live in; it’s vitally important to protect this for our future generations. If you’re a business owner, you have a responsibility to do all you can to ensure your practices are environmentally friendly, which is exactly what we at Border Hardwood do. As a family run team of timber merchants who have been established for many years, we fully understand this importance and pride ourselves on providing a high quality service, combined with equally high quality products to match your individual needs perfectly. With the extensive range of timber that we provide, it doesn’t matter whether you work in joinery, restoration or the construction trade, you’re sure to find something suitable here.

There is currently a strain being put on the environment by many businesses and trades, specifically irresponsible timber merchants who are sourcing their timber form anywhere and everywhere, taking no care at all for the planet. We, however, only source our timber from renewable sources, meaning we are doing all we can to protect the environment and safeguard the planet for the future.

We have been PEFC certified for many years (we’re a company that promotes sustainable forest management) and if requested, we are able to supply our oak with a chain of custody certificate, so you’ll know exactly where your timber has come from. Furthermore, we are also committed to support the work of those that strive to continue replanting trees, as this way we can put back into the environment once we have taken out.

Whether you’re a team of builders or a small construction company that works in the countryside, you’re sure to find all you need here at Border Hardwood. We have an extensive range of timber and with 4 generations of timber merchants in our family, timber is in our blood; we will be on hand to support and advise you with any queries you have regarding your order. Browse our website today to find out more.

Posted in Timber Merchants

What is Hardwood Used For?

Posted on July 24, 2012 by admin

Hardwood is used in a variety of different applications because of its unique and somewhat versatile characteristics; to give you a glimpse into what the hardwood in Liverpool can be used we here at Border Hardwood have devised the following guide.

Hardwood originates from deciduous trees, like Walnut, Mahogany, Cheery, Oak and Teak, and they are defined by their fine, compact grain, heavy weight and longevity. Due to this, hardwood can be used for a variety of different things, including furniture making, flooring, and structural beams in a construction project.

Hardwood Flooring

Perfect for homeowners and commercial property owners, the look and feel of hardwood flooring emits a sense of luxurious warmth, complementing many different interior designs and creating a striking interior design which is practical. The floor, due to the compact grain can withstand heavy foot traffic, and because it is wood you can simply sand the immediate surface off should it begin to look worn.

Making Furniture

The sturdy structure of hardwood makes it ideal for making furniture, such as tables and chairs which are used frequently, and which need to be able to take varying weights. Here at Border Hardwood we stock a variety of different hardwoods, and because of this you are sure to find the look, colouring and style you are looking for.

Hardwood Beams

Often in period property’s hardwood beams are preferred over RSJ which are unsympathetic to the traditional design and construction of the property. As such, oak beams are commonly used due to their strength and longevity, and subsequently they can be sourced from us here at Border Hardwood.

For more information on the hardwood species we stock here at Border Hardwood and their varied uses and applications be sure to get in touch with us. To speak to a member of our team, simply call us today on 01614 523 524.

Posted in Timber Merchants