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Materials
and Finishes Information
Timber Options and Finishes
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European
Oak Seasoning in our timber yard (and left)
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IROKO
(Chlorophora Excelsa)
Countries
of origin, and their policies
The iroko we use is not FSC and PEFC certified.
It is sourced from well established producers in Ghana and the Ivory Coast. These countries have long had a policy
of sustainable forestry management. We do not obtain supplies from South America,
where large scale rain forest destruction is occurring.
Qualities
Iroko is classified by The Timber Research and Development Association
(TRADA) as ‘very durable’, and is only used by us in kiln dried form. It is a
stable weather resistant material, which has been used extensively in the manufacture
of external furniture since about 1945. Iroko does not normally split, shake or
surface check extensively, though small splits and surface checking can occur.
Warping can sometimes occur, particularly on the boards of our steel framed seats,
which have relatively long unsupported sections. Wide colour variation, from ligh yellow to dark brownhas become more common
as producers seek to reduce waste. This colour variation can occur on a single piece of timber anywheree along its length, or as a
difference between boards on the same seat. Very small white spots caused by mineral penetration as the tree is growing can sometimes be apparent
These spots cause no harm and become invisable as the seat ages.
Applications
This timber is the commonly specified option for cast iron seats, traditional
all-timber seats, steel framed seats, picnic furniture and litter bins.
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| | Finish
and maintenance
Iroko boarded cast
iron seats, steel framed seats, picnic furniture and litter bins are finished
with two coats of microporous Cuprinol exterior wood stain. The Cuprinol slowly
degrades due to the action of ultra violet light and abrasion, and might be expected
to require additional coats after 18 - 24 months. If this is not done the iroko
will turn ash grey in colour. The iroko seats in our Traditional Range are planed
and sanded as standard, and have the timber graded to help reduce the degree of colour variation.
To enhance their appearance, and to give them a more even colour, they can be finiahed in a dark oak coloured spirit based wood stain, if required.
The wood stain enhances the appearance of these seat only for the first few months after installation, and will fade due to its exposure to sunlight and rain.
If left untreated most of the wood stain will have disappeared after
about 12 months and the seat will then be a light ash grey colour. It will remain
this colour if left untreated. If the condition of the seats is reviewed at six monthly intervals and wood stain
applied, this will help to maintain the original colour the seat had when
it was delivered.
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Iroko
finished in Cuprinol exterior wood stain | |
Iroko
finished in Cuprinol exterior wood stain after 18-24 months | |
Iroko
finished in Liberon finishing oil after 12-18 months |
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SEASONED
EUROPEAN OAK (Quercus Robur)
| Countries
of origin, and their policies
We source this wood from FSC and PEFC certified sources in France and Germany.
We currently buy 10% from France, with the balance coming from Germany. The proportion we source from each country varies
each year and depends upon availability and price. The felling of trees in each
of these countries is strictly controlled by the relevant government departments.
In both France and Germany the growing of oak for
commercial purposes is very established, and has always
been controlled and licensed.
Qualities
Seasoned European
oak is classified by TRADA as ‘durable’, and has been used externally for centuries.
We almost always purchase it green, and air and kiln dry it ourselves to obtain
a reasonable moisture gradient, and the correct moisture level of between 19%
and 21% ( plus or minus 3%). These two factors are the key to maximizing stability.
It has more knots than either iroko or American oak, and has a tendency to surface
check, split, shake and warp, particularly on the larger sections | |
of timber. These characteristics are an inherent quality of this timber, and are
beyond our control. We have invested heavily in this wood, and have more than
a hundred tons air drying. 80mm thick sections take about three years to dry.
Applications
Cast iron seats, traditional all-timber seats,
steel framed seats, Universal Bench System, picnic furniture and litter bins can
all be specified with this timber, at additional cost.
| | Finish
and maintenance
The variability in
the surface consistency and tendency to movement can effect the adhesion of high
build surface finishes, so we do not recommend the application of any high build
finish to seasoned European oak. We finish seasoned European oak in a dark oak
coloured spirit based wood stain, which cannot lift or peel. The condition of
seats and picnic units should be reviewed after approximately six months, and
any areas of raised grain briefly sanded down with fine sandpaper. If the units
are re-stained at this stage it will improve their appearance. If the finish is
not maintained oak will turn ash grey in colour.
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Seasoned
European Oak in standard finish | |
Seasoned
European Oak in standard finish
after 24-36 months |
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GREEN
EUROPEAN OAK (Quercus Robur)
| Countries
of origin, and their policies
We source this wood from FSC ans PEFC certified sources in France and Germany.
We currently buy 10% from France, with the balance coming from Germany. The proportion we source from each country varies
each year and depends upon availability and price. The felling of trees in each
of these countries is strictly controlled by the relevant government departments.
In both France and Germany the growing of oak for commercial purposes is very established, and has always
been controlled and licensed.
Qualities
Green European oak
is a hard, heavy and durable wood, which is ideal for inexpensive rustic products.
Because it is generally used green (i.e. it has not been dried), and fresh sawn,
it has a high moisture content. Some degree of surface checking, splitting , shaking
and warping will always occur, particularly if long hot periods of weather occur
soon after installation. This movement, which is beyond our control, is normally
confined to the first year, and does not look out of place in the informal locations
for which these items are intended. | |
Woodland, Ranger and Forester bins use this material partially air or kiln dried,
so these items are less prone to movement.
Applications
We
use this material for the Woodland Range, some of the items in the Junior Range,
and some other items.
| | Finish
and maintenance
We finish green European
oak in a dark oak coloured spirit based wood stain, which cannot lift or peel
and which conceals the black marking this material is prone to, if left untreated.
The condition of seats and picnic units should be reviewed after approximately
twelve to sixteen weeks, and their top surfaces briefly sanded down with coarse sandpaper,
and any sharp protrusions removed with a trimming knife. If the units are re-stained
at this stage it will considerably improve their appearance. We supply 500ml of
stain free with every seat or bench delivered (1000ml with a picnic unit), to
enable this work to be done. If the finish is not maintained oak will turn ash
grey in colour.
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Green
European oak in standard finish | |
Splitting
in green European oak after 3-4 months |
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SEASONED
AMERICAN OAK (Quercus Alba)
| Countries
of origin, and their policies
American oak is sourced from the eastern
states of North America, and all the timber we buy is FSC certified . The felling of this timber is carefully controlled by
the American government, who have had environmental legislation in place for more
than nine decades.
Qualities
American oak is classified by
TRADA as ‘durable’ and has been used for internal and external purposes for a
great many years. It is not quite as durable as seasoned European oak. It is stable,
virtually knot free, and kiln dried. It has some tendency to surface check, shake
and split, though these effects are not normally widespread.
Applications
Cast iron seats, steel framed seats, picnic furniture and litter bins can
all be specified with this timber, at additional cost. | |
| | Finish
and maintenance
We finish American oak in
three coats of microporous Cuprinol exterior wood stain. Because of the possibility
of movement, particularly surface checking, the adhesion of the surface finish
can sometimes be effected, generally on small areas of timber. The Cuprinol slowly
degrades due to the action of ultra violet light and abrasion, and might be expected
to require additional coats after 18 - 24 months. The finish on American oak should
be maintained to increase its life span. If the finish is not maintained American
oak will turn ash grey in colour.
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Seasoned
American oak in standard finish | |
Seasoned
American oak in standard finish after 18-24 months |
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TREATED
SOFTWOOD
| Countries
of origin, and their policies
All our treated softwood is from FSC and PEFC certified sources in Scandinavia
and Eastern Europe. Because it is so fast growing the environmental issues concerning
the use of this material are very different to hardwood environmental issues.
Most countries that grow softwood, and all the countries we buy it from, have
a steadily increasing amount of land given over to softwood production, which
is, in effect farmed and harvested like any other crop.
Qualities
Treated softwood used for the Woodland Range, Robin Hood bench, Cinderella
seat and Pied Piper picnic unit, which is in contact with the ground, is sent
for CCA treatment after we have cut and machined the components, so that
all the final surfaces and end grain are properly protected. Timber used for the
Goldilocks seat,suffolk bench, Aladdin bench, Cumberland picnic unit,Peter Pan picnic unit and Kent bin, which
is not in contact with the ground, is Vacsol Aqua treated. Though not as durable
as our hardwood options, both of these treatments enable the timber to last well
in external environments. All Vacsol Aqua treated softwood we | | supply
has been kiln dried before treatment, CCA treated softwood has not been kiln dried.
Applications
Treated softwood is an option for Woodland seats
and picnic furniture, an option for some items in the Junior Range, and is used
as standard for the suffolk bench, Cunberland picnic unit and Kent bin.
| | Finish
and maintenance
We finish the Woodland
Range products, Robin Hood bench, Cinderella seat and Pied Piper picnic unit in
a dark oak coloured spirit based wood stain. The suffolk bench, Cumberland picnic unit, Kent bin, Goldilocks
seat, Aladdin bench and Peter Pan picnic unit with brown boards are finished in
a light oak coloured spirit based wood stain. The Goldilocks seat, Aladdin bench
and Peter Pan picnic unit specified with blue, yellow, red or green boards are
finished in Cuprinol Premier wood stain. Treated softwood might be expected to
require additional coats after 18 - 24 months. If these finishes are not maintained
treated softwood will turn ash grey in colour.
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Treated
Softwood in standard finish | |
Treated
Softwood in standard finish after 18 - 24 months |
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