British timber specialists
As a traditional sawmill, M.J. Elliott's cuts a lot of home-grown timber. Oak, Ash, Yew, Sycamore, Beech, Walnut and Sweet Chestnut are all examples of British Timbers we deal in.
​
The demand for British Timbers is increasing sharply. Between 1905 and 2013, UK woodland area increased from around 4,400 to 12,000 square miles, an increase of 274% and one third of forests in the UK are owned or managed by the Forestry Commission.
​
Even though the rise of fast and cheaper global transport has caused an explosion in the use of imported timbers, there are still numerous strong benefits to use and reasons to buy British-grown timbers.
Why buy British?
-
Stimulates the UK Timber Market and helps our economy
-
Helps to create, manage and sustain UK forests
-
Creates and keeps forestry jobs in the UK
-
Does not need transporting internationally and therefore kinder to the planet
-
Gives authenticity to restoration projects and traditional products
Forests all over the UK grow sustainable timber, with many schemes replanting many more than are cut down. This not only ensures future supply, but also supports wildlife habitats.
​
Some of the longest standing buildings in the UK are made using English oak. Oak trusses have outlasted generations and are still standing firm today.
British timber species
Ash
Ash is a coarse textured, tough yet flexible timber with a typically straight grain. It is frequently used for interior joinery, furniture and flooring.
Steamed Beech
Beech is typically straight-grained with a fine and even texture. Its strength properties are similar to oak.
.jpg)
Oak
Oak is our most popular and most frequently dealt in timber. It is suitable for a wide range of applications from structural use, cladding, flooring, decking and furniture.
.jpg)
Sycamore
Sycamore is a very pale timber with a fine texture and commonly used for internal joinery. It is high in strength, with similar properties to oak.
Chestnut
Chestnut has a similar look to oak, although weaker in strength. It is a durable timber, easy to work and finishes well.
.jpg)
Walnut
Walnut is suitable for carving and turning and polishes extremely well. It is moderately durable with a coarse texture.
.jpg)
Lime
Lime has a fine, uniform texture, is similar in strength to oak and resists splitting. Lime is easy to work with and is used frequently for turning and carving.
Yew
Yew is a tough, durable and hard timber. It is good for turning and can be highly polished.
Other timber species
American Cherry
Cherry has straight, fine and quite close grain. It is moderately durable and frequently used for furniture.
Tulipwood
Tulipwood is easy to work with and finishes to a fine, smooth surface. It is used primarily in interior joinery and for furniture.
Sapele
Another African timber, sapele is close-textured with an interlocking grain. It is quite a hard timber but is fairly easy to work with. It is used frequently in joinery and furniture making.
Dark Red Meranti
The texture is coarse but even and the grain is interlocked and wavy. Meranti can be stained and polished quite well after suitable filling.
Douglas Fir (clear and better)
Douglas fir is often used for structural purposes as well as cladding and flooring. We supply it in a 'clear and better' grade.
Idigbo
An African timber with excellent strength properties. It is easy to work with and being moderately durable is used in exterior and interior joinery.
.jpg)
Elm (European)
Elm has an attractive appearance with a cross-grained character. It is around 30% the strength of oak and is mainly used for furniture.
Iroko
Iroko is a durable timber with similar strength properties to teak. It is fairly easy to work with and is used quite extensively in joinery.
For enquiries about our timber or to visit our site in Thetford call us now on 01366 728206
You can also email M. J. Elliott via the form below.