Popular hardwoods available in the UK for timber boards.

The most popular hardwoods in the UK for timber boards are Oak, Ash and Beech.

Oak: Oak is a strong and durable hardwood that is popular for its attractive grain and natural resistance to rot and decay. It is often used for flooring, furniture, and cabinetry. Oak is a heavy and hard wood that is known for its strength and durability.
Ash: Ash is also a strong and durable hardwood that is known for its excellent shock resistance and flexibility. It is often used for flooring, furniture, and cabinetry. Ash is a light-coloured hardwood with a straight grain pattern.
Beech: Beech is a hard and heavy wood that is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It is often used for flooring, furniture, and cabinetry. Beech wood has a light reddish-brown colour and a fine, uniform texture.

The popular hardwoods used in the UK include cherry, maple and walnut. These woods are also known for their strength and durability and are often used in high-end furniture and cabinetry.

It's worth noting that the availability of these hardwoods may vary depending on the region and the time of year, and the cost will vary depending on the size and quality of the timber boards.

what is hardwood timber used for?

Hardwood timber is a versatile and durable material that is used in a variety of applications, both indoor and outdoor. Some of the most common uses of hardwood timber include:

Flooring: Hardwood flooring is a popular choice for both residential and commercial buildings. Hardwoods like oak, ash and beech are often used for flooring due to their strength, durability, and natural beauty.
Furniture: Hardwood timber is commonly used to make furniture, such as tables, chairs, desks, and cabinets. Hardwoods like cherry, maple and walnut are often used for high-end furniture because of their durability, beauty and can be carved or shaped in many ways.
Cabinetry: Hardwood timber is also used to make cabinetry, including kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, and built-in furniture. Hardwoods like oak, ash and beech are often used for cabinetry because of their strength, durability, and natural beauty.
Decking and Outdoor Structures: Hardwoods like Ipe, cedar and redwood are known for their natural resistance to rot and decay and are often used for outdoor decking, fences, and other structures that are exposed to the elements.
Millwork and Trim: Hardwood timber is used for millwork such as moldings, baseboards, and window and door frames. It is also used for decorative and architectural elements like mantels, staircases and balusters.
Musical instruments: Hardwood timber is used to make the soundboard of musical instruments such as pianos, guitars and violins.

In general, hardwood timber is prized for its strength, durability, and natural beauty, making it a popular choice for a wide variety of applications.

Is hardwood better than softwood?

Hardwoods and softwoods have different properties and are used for different purposes. Here are a few key differences between the two types of wood:
Hardwoods come from deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves in the fall), while softwoods come from coniferous trees (trees that have needles or cones instead of leaves).
Hardwoods are generally denser, stronger, and more durable than softwoods. They are less likely to warp or dent, and are more resistant to wear and tear. Hardwoods are also more resistant to rot and decay, making them a better choice for outdoor projects.
Hardwoods tend to be more expensive than softwoods, due in part to the fact that they are slower-growing and thus more scarce.
Hardwoods have a finer and more uniform texture than softwoods, which can make them more attractive for certain applications such as furniture and flooring.
Softwoods are less expensive than hardwoods, and they are easier to work with and are often used in construction, such as framing, and in decking. They are also often used in paper production and as fuel wood.
Hardwoods are typically used for high-end applications such as furniture, cabinetry, flooring, millwork, and decorative elements, while softwoods are used for more utilitarian purposes such as construction, packaging, and paper production.

It's worth noting that both hardwood and softwood have different characteristics, and both have their own advantages and disadvantages depending on the specific application. Choosing between the two types of wood will depend on the specific project, budget, and aesthetic preferences.

Does hardwood plane well?

Yes, hardwood generally planes well.

Hardwoods, being dense and strong, are known for their smooth and even surface after being planed, which makes them ideal for furniture and cabinetry, flooring, and other decorative applications. The density and strength of hardwoods make them less likely to chip or tear during planing, which results in a smooth and even surface.

However, some hardwoods like Teak, Ipe and some tropical hardwoods can be difficult to plane because of their high density and oil content. These woods have a tendency to dull blades faster, and may require special blades or tools to plane effectively.

It's also worth noting that the quality of the planing will depend on the quality of the tools and blades used, as well as the skill of the person doing the planing. Using sharp blades and proper techniques will help ensure a smooth surface when planing hardwoods.

In general, hardwoods are known for their good planing characteristics, making them ideal for a wide range of applications that require a smooth surface.

Which hardwoods are grown in the UK?

There are several hardwoods that are native to or commonly grown in the United Kingdom. Some of the most popular hardwoods grown in the UK include:/

Oak: Oak is one of the most popular hardwoods grown in the UK, known for its strength, durability and attractive grain. It is often used for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and other decorative applications.
Ash: Ash is another popular hardwood grown in the UK, known for its excellent shock resistance, strength and flexibility. It is often used for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and other decorative applications.
Beech: Beech is a hard and heavy wood that is known for its durability and resistance to wear and tear. It is often used for flooring, furniture, cabinetry, and other decorative applications.
Cherry: Cherry is a hardwood that is known for its fine, uniform texture and attractive colour. It is often used for furniture and cabinetry.
Elm: Elm is a hardwood that is known for its strength and durability. It is often used for furniture and cabinetry, as well as flooring and other decorative applications.
Maple: Maple is a hardwood that is known for its fine, uniform texture, and attractive colour. It is often used for furniture, cabinetry, and flooring.
Walnut: Walnut is a hardwood that is known for its attractive colour and grain patterns. It is often used for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications.
Yew: Yew is a hardwood that is known for its fine texture and attractive colour. It is often used for decorative applications such as carving and inlay work, as well as for archery bows.

These are some of the most common hardwoods grown in the UK, but other species are also grown such as sycamore, sweet chestnut, and Douglas Fir. The availability of these hardwoods may vary depending on the region and the time of year.

What are the cheapest hardwoods ?

The cost of hardwoods can vary depending on factors such as the species, the source, and the size of the lumber. In general, some of the cheapest hardwoods include:

Poplar: Poplar is a hardwood that is known for its light colour and straight grain. It is often used for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications. Poplar is relatively cheap, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious projects.
Alder: Alder is a hardwood that is known for its light colour and straight grain. It is often used for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications. Alder is relatively inexpensive, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious projects.
Aspen: Aspen is a hardwood that is known for its light colour and straight grain. It is often used for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications. Aspen is relatively inexpensive, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious projects.
Birch: Birch is a hardwood that is known for its light colour and straight grain. It is often used for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications. Birch is relatively inexpensive, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious projects.
Basswood: Basswood is a hardwood that is known for its light colour and straight grain. It is often used for furniture, cabinetry, and decorative applications. Basswood is relatively inexpensive, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious projects.

It's worth noting that these species may not be available in all regions, and the cost can vary depending on the quality of the lumber, the size of the board and the region. Also, depending on the specific application and the aesthetic desired, these woods may not be the best choice, as they are known to be softer, not as durable and not as resistant to rot and decay as other hardwoods.

UK Hardwood timber conclusions

If cost is a major concern, it is always best to check prices for the specific hardwoods that are available in your region and compare them to find the best value for your project.