VASTERN TIMBER
TIME TO CONSIDER BRITISH- GROWN TIMBER
THIS YEAR TIMBER HAS BEEN HARD TO OBTAIN , BUT THE ANSWER IS CLOSE BY , SAYS TOM BARNES
Timber products , including roof battens , structural timber and timber cladding , are in high demand this year , and it is well known that supplies are not keeping up . Long and short term factors are at play . This year global demand hit a record high in a postlockdown housing boom , resulting in many construction materials becoming extremely difficult to obtain . Added to that , over 80 % of the timber used in the UK is imported , and these supply chains have been impacted by Brexit , covid and a changing climate . In the years to come , an increased focus on the carbon footprint of construction will surely lead architects to specify more sustainable materials , leading to yet more demand for wood .
For all these reasons , finding external cladding timber can be challenging at present . Favourites like Canadian cedar and Siberian larch are in very short supply , while prices for these products have risen by 50 – 100 % so far this year . But the good news is that many locally grown timber species are well suited to external cladding , and these are often cheaper , and more readily available , than imported alternatives .
BRITISH-GROWN TIMBER CLADDING
There are many timber species grown in the UK that are suited to exterior applications . Native western red cedar , larch , oak and sweet chestnut make excellent cladding due to their natural durability . Modern modification processes , such as thermal modification can be used to transform locally grown ash , poplar and sycamore - which wouldn ’ t normally be suitable for cladding - into a durable cladding that we call Brimstone . This is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to imported hardwoods .
It ’ s gratifying that many customers are choosing our locally-grown , thermally-modified timber for its environmental credentials . Thermal modification is a non-toxic process that heats timber in controlled conditions , producing a stable , durable material that resists rot . Modified timbers have their own characteristics , for example our product Brimstone , which is made of thermally- modified , British-grown ash , sycamore and poplar , is lightweight and durable , but it can be a little brittle so requires more care during installation .
BRIMSTONE ® CLADDING
Thermal modification is a toxin-free process resulting in a very stable and durable cladding material . Since 2016 we have used this process to transform our locally grown hardwoods into an innovative product called Brimstone ®. Beautiful and long-lasting , Brimstone is perfect for external cladding , but best of all , it ’ s grown here in our own woodlands . The range includes Brimstone ash , Brimstone poplar and Brimstone sycamore .
BIOBASED MATERIALS
Minimising the use of carbon-intensive materials such as concrete and steel and using bio-based materials like timber could be key to a low-carbon economy . With these pressures affecting the whole planet , we in the UK cannot rely on importing 80 % of the timber we use . I believe that we must aim to be more self-sufficient , which means planting more trees and using more locally grown wood . Let ’ s use these timber shortages as an opportunity to start making the switch .
CASE STUDY Much Wenlock , Shropshire
Recently named one of ‘ Britain ’ s Greenest Streets ,’ this development for a local housing association comprises twelve homes of various sizes , all clad in Brimstone poplar , the thermally modified , British grown timber cladding .
Timber homes in Shropshire are nothing new , but this exemplary development of energy efficient , affordable homes uses locally sourced , natural materials combined with passivhaus principles and modern processes to excellent effect .
The housing association commissioned leading Passivhaus and sustainable architects , Archetype , for the project . UK sourced natural materials were used , including locally quarried clay roof tiles , local lime render and locally grown cladding .
Treehugger called the project ‘ radical simplicity ’ but we call it common sense .
Find out more about our range of locally sourced timber products at Vastern . co . uk
* Tom Barnes is MD of Vastern Timber , which produces timber cladding , flooring , structural timbers and sawn hardwoods from timber grown in Britain .
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