We pride ourselves on the quality of our products, and the quality control used to ensure a consistently strong, durable, and truly aesthetically pleasing structure begins with the oak we use.
Our team of experienced carpenters and timber graders will thoroughly inspect and grade all timber that arrives in our workshops before any of it is used in our manufacturing process. This process will involve ensuring the wood we are using meets a series of standards we expect of fresh green oak beams.
Fresh Green Oak Beams Standards
The following requirements must be met plus any additional ones specified on our purchase order and/or timber list:
- Sawn timber with sharp edges.
- Tolerance of small quantities of sound sapwood on two edges maximum, covering less than 30% of the width of the faces and edges.
- Sound knots accepted if diameter is below 50% of the total width for timber cross section size > 20000mm2 or 25% of the total width for timber cross section size < 20000mm2 (reduced to 20% for all timber cross section sizes if D40 grade specified on the purchase order and/or timber list). Knots accumulative if longitudinal separation is less than twice the width or 300mm (whichever is the lesser) or when the grain has not fully recovered.
- Grain angle not exceeding 1 in 4 for timber cross section size > 20000mm2 or 1 in 10 for timber cross section size < 20000mm2 (amended to 1 in 12 for all timber cross section sizes if D40 grade specified on the purchase order and/or timber list).
- Heart splits & frost accepted on ends if they are beyond the ordered length.
- Dimensions width & depth tolerance – 0mm + 5mm. Length – 0mm + mm.
- Distortion, Bow not more than 10mm over 2m in length, Spring 8mm over length of 2m, Twist not greater than 1mm per 25mm width in 2m.
- Unnatural staining from machinery is tolerated up to 10% of each face.
- Timber with the following defects will not be accepted:
- Woodworm
- Bug holes
- Heart shaking
- Soft knots
- Inner bark, black vein
- Wane
- Brown Stain
- Brown heart
- Ringshake
You can see some examples of timber defects below:
Learn More By Getting in Touch
We’re always happy to explain anything you need to know in more depth. Contact us online or on the phone to talk to an expert about your requirements for a wooden frame building of any kind. One of our friendly team will be with you in no time at all to answer your questions.
