Frequently Asked Questions For Timber Suppliers

If timber isn’t something that you buy very often, it’s understandable that you may have a few questions about the process and the products in general. Because many of the timber suppliers that you’re likely to encounter will deal quite regularly with professionals (such as carpenters), we understand that you might be hesitant to approach them with something trivial. This is why we have covered some of the more popular questions here.

▪ How should I protect or finish the timber?

If left unprotected, most wood will eventually fade to a silver-grey colour; the degree of greying will depend on its exposure to the elements. If you want to prevent this from occurring, it’s recommended that you give the wood at least one coat of an oil based sealer.

▪ What species are available?

The answer to this question will differ depending on the timber supplier, as some will specialise in particular species and won’t stock others at all. There are, however, a few common species that you can expect to find pretty much anywhere, such as treated pine.

▪ How should the timber be stored onsite?

Once the wood has been delivered to your site, it should be kept off the ground and stored in a level position. Unseasoned products should be kept wrapped in plastic and strapped or weighted down to prevent even drying, surface checking and cupping.

▪ What moisture content is timber supplied at?

Wood can be supplied either green (unseasoned) or dry (seasoned on kiln dried). Green products will generally shrink between 5% and 10%, depending on the species. Dry products are generally seasoned to between 14% and 18% moisture content.

▪ What fixing products are recommended?

Generally, it is recommended that galvanised screws or twist shank nails be used to fix timber products. In coastal or high exposure areas, however, self drilling or countersinking stainless steel screws are recommended (as they will not stain the wood).

▪ How do I remove stains or extractives?

Despite their best efforts, timber suppliers recognise that it is normal for some woods to leach red/brown extractives during heavy rain or to stain black when it contact with metal. Many discolourations can be removed with a specialty cleaning product, such as Oxalic Acid.

▪ What should I do if I receive damaged or defective goods?

If you have received a timber delivery and you notice that it is damaged or defective, you need to notify your supplier immediately. You must prove that the damage or defect was caused prior to receiving the goods, which is why it’s a good idea to look it over straight away.

We hope that your most pressing questions have been answered in the article above; if not, we encourage you to speak with a timber supplier. It is important to remember that there is no such thing as a silly or stupid question – timber suppliers understand that you want to have all the facts before making a final decision and are more than happy to help. So, before you decide to purchase timber for your project, ask yourself if you have everything you need to know.