Wooden Timber Windows, Doors and Stairs
High Quality, Long Life, Bespoke
Window Timber
The use of the correct type of timber is essential for the long term durability of any timber window.
There are a number of points to consider when choosing the timber.
If timber does not get wet it will not decay . So, if the coating remains intact it will not get wet. Failure of the coating is caused by poor coating, poor timber or poor window design.
History
First it is worth looking at history. Victorian and Edwardian windows were usually made from Redwood heart wood, from the Northern Baltic area. As it was slow grown and came from old trees it was durable and very stable. Many of these windows are still in service today and look as though they will last for another 100 years! Unfortunately there is none of this material left. The only similar product is Siberian Larch, but this is very difficult to obtain in a constant supply and from sustainable sources.
Redwood
Joinery grade Redwood which always contains sapwood and some shakes is not an ideal material.
Our windows are normally manufactured using Woodheart. This is engineered timber from Redwood heartwood and is a similar product to the original timber used by the Victorians. It has PEFC Chain of Custody and provides an excellent substrate for our coating system allowing us to give a coatings warranty of up to 25 years.
For many years research has been carried out on the acetilation of timber. It has been a difficult task to convert laboratory samples into a commercial process. This is now available as Accoya. This material is exceptionally stable, has the highest durability rating, has FSC Chain of Custody and provides the ultimate substrate for our coating system allowing us to give a coatings warranty of up to 30 years.
European Oak
In the past, high quality windows have been made from European Oak. This is durable but has a tendency to move. This can cause failure of the coating system and of the insulating glass units. We use knot free laminated European Oak which overcomes these problems and has FSC chain of Custody. Beautiful looking windows made with naturally durable timber.
Clear Douglas Fir
Clear Douglas fir is also available which provides knot free stable timber as a good substrate for our coating system. However it is difficult to obtain a constant supply of Certified timber.
Tropical Hardwoods
We also have a choice of various tropical hardwoods which can provide an excellent substrate for our coating system, have a great appearance and provide natural durability, but it is difficult to obtain a constant supply of certified timber.