High-Quality Timber Makes a Big Difference in any Home Improvement

/image:upload.wikimedia.org/

There is just something extra special about good wood. There’s nothing like the smell of a stack of fine, fresh timber ready to be used for a hardwood floor. Then there is the visual appeal, as wood is easy on the eyes. The lines and colours in natural wood are impossible to beat. Nature is the greatest artist. Even the sound of wood makes it appealing. When you walk or knock on wood, it is musical. For home improvement, plenty of fine timber gives your work a natural and cosy feel.

Also working with wood is a pleasure – the decking, the mouldings, joists and studs. There is nothing like the smell of a fresh-cut board ready to be set in its place. Wood is incredibly versatile, as it can be shaped at the work site according to need. But there is more to wood-working than just the aesthetic appeal and its versatility.

Quality Counts

When preparing to use timber for home improvement, it is important to focus first on the type and grade of the wood you plan to use. If you just go with the cheapest and softest wood, you might save some money at first. Later, though, you will regret your choice.

Things like durability and resistance to insects and rotting are very important, especially when improving your home. Do you really want to put up cheap wood siding on the exterior of your home, only to see it rot or be consumed by termites? Don’t cut corners when choosing timber for your home. Quality counts.

Wood Characteristics Differ According to Type, Species and Preparation

Let’s go back to the wood floor example. What type of wood should you choose? Of course, you want something durable, but durability has two factors involved. First is the hardness, that is, the resistance to knocks and dents. The second is stability, which is the wood’s ability to resist warping or bending. Wood’s resistance to moisture and temperature changes depends not only on the type of wood, but also on how the wood is treated and prepared after being harvested.

For example, red oak, maple and hickory are very hard woods, but they are prone to warping. Even a difference in wood species can make a difference. Black cherry wood is more stable than Brazilian cherry – but Brazilian is significantly harder.

But cost matters, you say? Of course it does. That’s why there are great alternatives like engineered hardwood. This is when a thin layer of the high-quality wood is bonded to layers of less expensive wood underneath. This actually can be more stable than using pure hickory, and you still have a layer of beautiful hickory on top to resist bumps and scratches.

A reliable timber merchant can be very helpful here in choosing wood types and combinations.

Summary

Go with wood whenever possible when refurbishing your home. The visual appeal can’t be beat. Wood is versatile, and there are many options in types, colour and preparation that can beautifully fit any home improvement need.

RESOURCE BOX

The author enjoys woodwork. He did plenty of research when putting in his hardwood floor. The best timber merchants Slough has to offer have a lot of know-how when it comes to choosing the best timber for each particular job.