Timber Quality

As far as humanly possible Scotts Country Ltd, will always try to use timber that carries the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. 

The Trademark of the Forest Stewardship Council is a label on timber and wood products which indicates that the wood comes from a  well-managed forest. It guarantees that the forest of origin has been independently inspected and evaluated to comply with an internationally agreed set of strict environmental, social and economic standards. The FSC Trademark enables companies to choose timber with the confidence that they are not contributing to the destruction of the world's forests. By buying from certified sources they provide an incentive in the marketplace for good forestry practice.

Timber Expansion & Contraction

As wood loses its moisture, the cells collapse and shrink and the wood itself starts to shrink. If the same piece of wood then starts to pick up moisture, it will expand in size. All wood continues this natural expansion and contraction process based on the changing humidity content of its environment.

Expansion & contraction of timber may cause the timber to show splits or cracks. This is nothing to worry about and as long as the length of the splits/cracks don't take up more that a quarter of the length, then this will not affect the stability of your purchase.

Pressure Treated Timber

Pressure treatment is a preservative process that enhances the timber's protection. The process includes placing the timber in vacuum chamber, which removes all of the air from the cells in the timbers. Once this has been completed, the vacuum will force chemical preservatives deep into the wood.

Kiln Dried Timber

Kiln drying is a procedure where timber moisture levels are dried down to a workable condition. Kilning timber is most effective for moisture removal, being a quick process and obliterating fungi and insect infestations.

Green Marks On Timber

This is typically caused by the copper based preservative used in the treatment process. As wood dries and reacts to the Sun's ultraviolet rays, the green colour will gradually fade. If you would like to remove the green tint quicker then you can mix a solution of one part bleach to four parts water. Apply it to the affected area with a brush. Then scrub the area until the stain is gone and then rinse with clean water.

Timber appears moist, wet or showing signs of mildew

Impregnated timber will appear moist or wet to the touch. This very common and is nothing to worry about. As the timber naturally dries is may show signs of mildew on the surface. Again this is very common. The mildew is easy to get rid of, just by washing off the affected areas.

We recommend that when your goods arrive, you remove them from there packaging straight away.

Discolouration

When the timber is in the timber yards drying out, several pieces will be exposed to the natural light. This will cause discolouration on the timber. Over a short period of time, all the wood in your product will discolour.

Knots

This is a natural characteristic in timber. A knot is caused in timber when a tree grows branches. When the timber is processed after being cut down the branches are removed and you are left with a Knot. A knot in timber is not a concern and does not affect the stability of your product. In fact in our opinion is give the timber more character. 

Resins and Bleeding

It is a natural process where softwood timber produces resin. This cannot be helped. However during warm weather these resin pockets may bleed and weep. They may also crystalise. This natural reaction does not affect the use of your product. And bleeds of resin can be removed with the back of a stiff knife.

Splinters/Fluffing

It is a fact that all timber that has been treated when cut will produce splinters. Although we try to control the amount of timber sent out with exposed splinters, some will and do get through the system. This is a natural process and easy to deal with, with a light rubbing of sandpaper over the affected area.

The process of 'fluffing' on the ends of timber occurs when the moist timber has been sanded and the ends naturally produce timber fluff. Again this is something that can be easy to remove with a light sanding.

Rough Spots

Rough spots are usually visible around the natural beauty of knots. No matter how much sanding takes place these rough spots will still be visible. Again this is a natural process of the timber.

Maintenance

Although all our outside products are protected by either being tanalised pressure treated or kiln dried treated, we strongly recommend that your outdoor products are protected as part of a annually maintenance routine. We are not name droppers or recommending, but there are many products out there which would help prolong the life of your product.