WHY HOMEGROWN TIMBER SHOULD BE YOUR FIRST CHOICE IN LANDSCAPING
James Brennan, Head of Marketing for BSW Group discusses how to select the best timber for our projects.
In the UK, timber has proven to be the most suitable choice when it comes to domestic and commercial fencing, decking and sleepers. Easily workable and readily available in a variety of types, shapes and sizes, it outperforms and lasts longer than other alternative materials.
While many homeowners turn to timber for their fencing and decking needs, not all will source UK grown wood to do so. And yet, UK grown timber offers many benefits, some which will be more widely known, and others that aren’t but are just as important. Underpinning it all is the need for everyone to take action in becoming more sustainable.
Imported wood and Net Zero
The UK has a high reliance on importing wood. In fact, we import over 80% of all wood that we use each year which adds a huge carbon footprint to the domestic and commercial use of it. But UK grown timber is more than suitable for being used in fencing and decking in the UK.
Choose homegrown timber.
As the UK’s largest timber specialist, we are able to offer a large selection of homegrown timber that can be used in fencing, decking and general landscaping.
All of our responsibly sourced timber fencing products are grown, sawn and sold right here in the UK, meaning you can be assured that your new fencing is both kind to the environment and sourced from sustainably managed woodlands.
There is plenty of choice too, from staples such as feather edge and post and rail, to specialist fencing solutions such as UC4 incised products.
Benefits of incising technology
To get the very best out of wood that will be used in a garden setting, state-of-the-art incising technology provides a guaranteed minimum 15-year life span.
BSW Group’s innovative incising technology uses a bladed machine to make tiny incisions – at a minimum of 6mm – along the surface of a piece of timber. This allows for preservative treatment to penetrate further into the timber, increasing its life span without affecting its strength.
This treatment is done across the whole of BSW’s Use Class 4 range, including sleepers, posts and joists.
What is Use Class 4 (UC4)?
Use Class 4, or UC4, is a class within BS EN 335-2 that determines where timber products are, or are not, suitable for use. If a timber product meets UC4 classification, that means that it is suitable to be used in ground contact and will get frequently wet, which is a key criteria when being used outside.
BSW has several products in its range that has been classified as UC4 and are from UK timber stock. This includes:
- UC4 sleepers which are perfect for gardeners and landscapers. They can be used to create flower beds, raised areas, retaining walls, garden steps and lots more.
- UC4 incised posts can be used with different timber options to create the perfect fence.
- UC4 pine posts are treated at a high pressure and available in either green or brown.
- UC4 incised joists are manufactured in the UK from homegrown spruce. Each joist is incised on all four surfaces to ensure a deeper preservative treatment, for added peace of mind.
As well as research showing that timber can be good for our health, including reducing stress levels, it is a natural product that is 100% sustainable including at the end of its life span. Add in the benefits of sourcing from the UK, which improves its carbon footprint, timber landscaping products should be one of the go-to’s as part of any garden renovation.
