Timber and timber products

Timber is a renewable material — but it only has a low environmental impact if the forests it comes from are carefully managed. Where possible, avoid chemical treatments.

Check that any wood you use comes from a sustainably grown and legal source — it should have one of these labels:

If timber isn’t going to come into contact with water, you don’t need chemical preservatives. Where possible try to avoid chemical treatments:

• Indoors, in the kitchen, utility room, or bathroom use durable timber such as oak — and untreated wood elsewhere.
   

• Outside, use a durable hardwood such as oak heartwood for timber that’s in contact with the ground.
   

• Choose boards with low formaldehyde content such as HDF (high density fibreboard) or oriented strand board, known as OSB or Sterling board — or use solid wood.

Association of Scottish Hardwood Sawmillers:

www.ashs.co.uk

Wood for Good – see ‘Living with wood for homeowners‘

www.woodforgood.com