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| Selecting Timber |
| Rebecca meets Alan Gray, author of Forest Friendly Building Timbers, a book which suggests alternatives to using native timbers. |
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When you are building or renovating there are obviously numerous decisions to make. A lot of choices come down to personal taste, however being fully informed about all procedures and products makes the process easier. Following are Alan Gray's preference when it comes to buying timbers:-
Recycled Timber
If you prefer to use native timbers, go for the recycled variety.
Recycled timber is often more expensive however it is well seasoned and because a lot of the newer timbers are cut when they're young, recycled timber will have more depth to its colour.
Plantation Timbers
Plantation timber grows quickly and is a great alternative to cutting down native timber. Listed below are plantation timbers on the market:
- Radiata pine makes up about 75% of plantation timber in Australia and is used mainly structurally, for framing and roofs.
- Hoop pine is used as an alternative to a native hardwood, Brushbox. It is grown in Queensland and has a deeper and warmer tone than radiata. Hoop pine can be used to make doors and with two coats of floor-hardening varnish, it becomes a hardwearing floor.
- Plantation Blue Gum is grown in Western Australia and Tasmania. It can be used for flooring and furniture.
- Oregon is often used for studs, beams or formwork. The more commonly used Canadian Oregon comes from native forests.
Other alternative timber products
Laminated beams, otherwise known as LVL (laminated veneer lumber), can be used instead of large native beams. Timber offcuts, usually pine, are laminated to create beams that are said to be as strong as steel. |
More Info
"Forest-Friendly Building Timbers" by Alan Gray is published by Earth Garden Books. The book is available from books shops or The Good Life Book Club for $9.95 + $4 postage.
Contact The Good Life Book Club:17 Falls Rd, Trentham VIC 3458 Ph: (03) 5424 1814
If you would like to locate recycled timber Look under "Second hand building materials" in the yellow pages.
NZ Plantation Douglas Fir available through:
Independent Timber Importers Ph: (02) 9623 0800 Fax: (02) 9623 0533.
Tasmanian Douglas Fir available through:
Timber World, PO Box 82 Meander TAS 7304 Ph: (03) 6369 5288.
Joinex available through Canterbury Windows.
VIC — Ph: 03 9549 7333 Fax: 03 9548 2915
NSW — Ph: 02 9756 4544 Fax: 02 9756 6388
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