Timber uses

We’re fluent in the language of wood at Ryder Services and where would we all be without timber?

It’s been everywhere and a building block of civilisation since Adam and Eve put up their first shelves. It’s versatile, sustainable, and, let's face it, looks the bee’s knees in the home and garden. It's the lifeblood of joiners, construction workers and DIYers - so of course we had to write a blog on timber uses.

Structural Timber

Let’s start with the heavy-duty stuff. Structural timber is the framework of homes, commercial buildings, and public spaces.

This is the stuff of roof trusses, floor joists, wall studs, beams and lintels, and in new buildings or house renovations, structural-grade timber has a lower carbon footprint than steel or concrete.

Engineered products like glulam and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) mean timber holds its own in large-scale projects without compromising strength. The UK’s tallest timber building is the Black & White Building in Shoreditch, London.

Joinery timber

Graded timber is excellent for finer interior work where precision matters, like on staircases, doors and windows, skirting boards, architraves, and in cabinet making or bespoke furniture.

Softwoods like redwood and whitewood are popular for internal joinery, while hardwoods like oak and ash add a premium finish. Kiln-dried joinery timber is often a breeze to work with and gives you a flawless paint-ready surface to work with.

Cladding and Facades

Timber cladding can make your property stand out or blend in with is surroundings and is a popular choice for residential as well as commercial properties. Popular choices amoung our customers include Cedar, as it's lightweight, weather-resistant, and naturally beautiful. Then there’s Larch, which is durable and full of character, and Thermowood, a heat-treated softwood with excellent stability.

Timber cladding looks the part and provides what you might call nature's own insulation layer that is low maintenance to boot.

Decking and landscaping

Timber shines outdoors too of course, and can make the difference between a meh garden or patio and one that keeps your more competitive neighbours on their toes.

Oak sleepers make terrific raised beds and edging, while we also supply composite decking for long-lasting stylish surroundings that will give your own little piece of the planet a new lease of life.

Timber fencing, like Featheredge Boards and panels can really set off a home as well as provide an extra level of security and shelter.

Pergoals and gazebos have become very popular in homes across the UK, and we deliver UK wide, so you’re in luck if you’d like something like this to the equation and add to the charm of your garden at the same time.

Flooring

There’s a very good reason people over the ages have stood on timber flooring and it’s stood the test of time: it’s classic, warm stylish. It can really set off a room in both houses and flats, and scuff, marks and imperfections only add to the character of the flooring over time. Oak often leads the pack when it comes to solid wood flooring. It’s known for its strength and elegance.

Then we have engineered wood flooring that brings stability with a real-wood finish. Softwood floorboards, meanwhile, are what you might plum for if your heart's set on painting, staining, or you're on a budget.

Roofing

Timber plays a pivotal role in roofing too. Both structurally and aesthetically, and whether rafters and battens or decorative fascias and soffits, it’s going to keep you warm and dry.

Perhaps your line of work is heritage restoration or working on listed buildings? If so, timber no doubt remains the go-to choice to match original features and satisfy planning requirements.

Timber and DIY projects

Who doesn’t love a bit of weekend woodwork! Timber and DIY are like Ant And Dec. You can cut, shape, stain, and paint timber, so it’s a brilliant choice for home projects of all sizes.

You might find that you’re a dab hand at shelving units, or storage benches, garden planters, birdhouses etc. Get those creative ideas out into the world.

Sustainable building with timber

Timber is one of the most sustainable building materials out there, as long as it's sourced responsibly (We have FSC or PEFC certification and this is what you should always look for), it’s a renewable resource that stores carbon.

So it's the smarter choice for eco-conscious people, building and renovation projects. Modern forestry practices mean that UK timber suppliers offer increasingly more responsibly sourced wood.

Treated Timber

Treated timber is your best bet to keep moisture out if it's ground-level use you're looking at. This is where pressure treatment imbues the wood with preservatives to help stop rot, fungi, and insect damage in their tracks.

There are different levels of treatment, and it's always prudent to check the treatment class to make sure it matches your project.

Need Timber? You need ryder services

We stock loads of high-quality timber for all kinds of use: structural, decorative, indoor and outdoor. Whether you’re tackling a major build or a weekend project, we’re here to help you choose the right wood for the job.

Visit our yard, or browse online, and if you're not quite sure what you need, call 01683 221082