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If you have a project that requires plenty of wood then you will need to arrange a delivery of timber supplies from your local dealer, such as Hayter's Timber & Paving. When considering which wood to purchase it will help if you have a clear idea of exactly what your project will look like and how you will use all of the wood before you commit to buying it.

Isn't all timber the same?

For the uninitiated one piece of timber may look very much like another piece of timber but in truth they could be vastly different. Different species of tree produce timber which possesses different strength qualities. The way the timber is cut also affects the properties of the timber. The strength of each piece will depend on factors, such as, its thickness, width, and span. When deciding which timber supplies to purchase you must pick the wood that is best suited for your job. Start by considering whether your project is going to be indoors or outdoors.

Outdoors projects

If your project is based outdoors then you will need to look for hard woods, or alternatively you could choose softer woods that have been appropriately treated to prevent decay. Treating wood is common but it can make your timber supplies more expensive. It is usually better to look for species such as, Cedar, Iroko, and Oak, which possess a higher natural resistance to decay. In addition to the hardness of the wood you will also need to think about factors such as:

• The amount of rain the wood will experience

• The amount of direct sunlight to which it will be exposed

• The amount of direct contact it will have with the ground

Each of these factors will affect the life expectancy of the timber project and the amount of maintenance the wood will require.

Indoors projects

Timber projects that will be based indoors will not have to cope with extremes of the weather but you will still need to think about how much strength you require from your timber supplies. If sturdiness is important then Beech or Oak is always a good choice, but if you want to build something lighter, such as a cupboard or a wardrobe, then Pine or a similar soft wood would be suitable for the task.

Whatever your requirements for timber supplies talk to your timber merchant today. They will have the knowledge and experience to suggest the wood that will be most suitable for your project. Choosing the right wood is essential to the success of your project so make sure that you consult an expert who can guide you to the timber that is right for you.