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ASHS promotes the productive use of Scottish hardwood and quality softwoods in the building industry...
In the last decade, there has been a surge of interest in building with Scottish hardwood, and there are as a result many new buildings in Scotland made from homegrown timber. The interior design potential of Scottish hardwood is also being recognized, in both commercial and domestic settings.
However, our members understand that there are sometimes obstacles that prevent Scottish hardwoods being specified at the design stage, and we know from our experience that many builders and contractors find it difficult to source Scottish hardwood and hardwood products even when they are specified by an architect. We also know that there are still many people who are unfamiliar with the qualities of homegrown hardwood.
With a little knowledge and forward planning most of the problems that architects, specifiers and builders face can be overcome. This website has useful information on Scottish hardwoods as well as links to most native hardwood suppliers in Scotland. And, below, there are notes on lead times - to help ensure that your hardwood is available when needed.
Useful Information
Lack of knowledge and easily accessible information is a barrier to specification of Scottish hardwoods. This website contains useful information and strategic links to help fill this gap, including information on the structural qualities and visual appearance of each Scottish hardwood species as well as technical information to assist with specification of structural timber, exterior cladding, flooring, and decking.
Links to Native Hardwood Suppliers
If you want to source native hardwood, you need to go to the small sawmills and timber merchants who specialise in this sector. Most are ASHS members, with pages on this website that include information about them and the products they supply. If you have any questions, you can contact your local ASHS supplier through the e-mail link on their page, or alternatively send an enquiry to the ASHS co-ordinator.
Notes on Supply Lead Times
For some Scottish hardwood products, there can be a considerable lead-time between placing an order and delivery on site. You can find a general guide to lead times on each product in the product section of the website, but be aware that these are guides only and that there are complicating factors.
1.Volume. Most ASHS members are small businesses and will struggle to supply large volumes of kilned hardwoods, but ASHS members will often work together to supply large orders. Remember that hardwood must be air dried before kiln drying. Generally, hardwood needs to be air dried for a year per inch thickness on a board. This means that if stocks of air drying and kiln dried material are inadequate, it will take between 12 and 15 months to supply more 1" planking in any particular species. Note that this is only likely to affect seriously large projects.
2. Species. Oak, elm, ash, sycamore and beech will be held in stock in greater quantities than less commonly used species such as alder, sweet chestnut, and cherry. If you want a Scottish cherry floor, you may have to order well in advance β especially if itβs a large floor.
3. Size. Different species of trees grow to different sizes. So much is obvious. What is sometimes forgotten, is that available sizes of timber correspond to the size of the tree. You will not get wide boards from homegrown birch trees, nor will you may not get wide boards from species that tend to crack up the middle when they dry. Lengths of board or beam also have their upper limits, which may be further affected by milling machinery.
4. Character. Scottish hardwood tends to have more character than either European and tropical hardwoods. This means that for certain jobs, e.g., window manufacture, which have a structural requirement for knot-free wood, available stocks of kilned Scottish hardwood may not always be suitable. Again, this is probably only going to be a problem if you need a large volume.
5. Time of Year. If you ask for fresh sawn sycamore in spring and summer, it will not be available. This is because sycamore stains if sawn when the sap is up and can only be felled during winter. Similarly there may be more demand for oak frames in spring, summer and early autumn than there would be in winter.
6. Supply and Demand. As with any industry, if demand exceeds supply, people may have to wait before their order can be delivered. This applies to almost all products β beams, floors, kitchens, furniture. Talk to your ASHS supplier as soon as possible. |
