Finding reliable and quality timber suppliers is critical for any project. From a practicality and a cost benchmarking perspective, timber merchants act as the main link between the sawmill and the end user, but their principal function is not stocking timber inventory. Hopefully the below can give you all you need in sourcing the most relevant merchants for your requirements.
What Timber Merchants Actually Do
A timber merchant’s yard is much more than a yard filled with timber for a merchant. It comprises structural softwoods, exotic hardwoods, sheet timber and treated timber, and even more. Referring to the custom prepared assortments of timber products for the Jenka and Mills system, merchants keep records of mills and importers to obtain materials timber a builder merchant will not have within a certain terrain.
The more professional merchants hire people who are aware of the moisture content of timber and its various uses. It is critical not to specify timber, which will rot, warp or cause structural problems.
For Trade Professionals
Construction companies and carpenters often seek trustworthy suppliers that can fulfil bulk orders and meeting deadlines. Trade accounts also cover credit terms, which benefits longer projects concerning cash flow. Many traders/vendors have on-site cutting, machining, and treatment facilities which save contractors time, equipment, and performing the work themselves.
Dependability is essential in business. A trader who can provide the same quality and type of material throughout the duration of a project eliminates the issue of different materials. This is especially the case for joinery shops that make fitted furniture, as colour and grain consistency is essential for the final look of the project.
There are also the Delivery logistics. Suppliers in the trade often have their own vehicles and are trained on blockages, time restraints, and the order of construction which helps with the timing of the projects.
The Domestic Customer Experience
Most homeowners have a misconception that prevents them from easily accessing timber, which is not the case. Unlike the DIY chain stores, domestic buyers are offered timber of better quality at often competitive prices.
It can be overwhelming to walk into a timber yard for the first time as there is a huge amount of timber that can be used for different purposes. It is a huge help to the employees to narrow down your options by saying that you are building a pergola, workbench, replacing floorboards etc. This helps them in suggesting the correct timber species and sizes you might need. It is always a huge addition if you have isometric sketches of the timber you need.
However, there are still several merchants that do not prescribe to this practice and have not moved to online ordering. However, the internet is a great resource for getting an idea of potential timber purchases. Particularly timber as well as hardwoods that are distinctive in colour and texture. For those timber orders that you are willing to pay a greater price for, and are slightly smaller, you are usually able to select specific timber pieces, which is a greatly welcomed practice.
Indicators of Quality
You can find grading standards for most timber pieces online and even print them if it is something you need for your timber yard. However, it is still beneficial to know excess pieces to work as efficiently as possible. Check for excessive knots, splits, or warping. For structural work, look for certification marks showing the timber meets building regulations. For outside applications, ensure the treatment corresponds with the level of exposure.
You always must pay attention to the timber moisture ratio. Most driers need a long time to dry freshly sawn timber, especially if they are set of other pieces of timber. Merchants that are considered trustworthy, whether the stock is air or kiln dried and the moisture level. If certain pieces of timber are used without proper seasoning, several different issues can arise, without consideration of what other factors are at play.
Sustainable Sourcing
The timber industry has come a long way with respect to sustainability, although this is not held equally by all merchants. The FSC and PEFC certifications of wood indicate that it comes from forests that are responsibly tended. For projects that care about origin and provenance, it is a good first step to ask about certification, which demonstrates that you care about the source of your materials.
Some merchants are timber brokers and specialise in reclaimed timber. These merchants reclaimed timber is considered as good from an environmental point of view, and it has great visual appeal. Old growth wood, for example, has attributes and qualities such as character and stability that simply cannot be found in new stock, however, be ready to pay a premium, and accept the sometimes-limited supply.