Where to buy "hardwoods" for outdoor use?

paddy147

My girlfriend is a budding garden designer and is sick and tired of going around to builders providers and looking for hardwoods for building outdoor structures,like swings,and pergulas.

All the builders providers seem to stock is softwoods and pressure treated wood.:(

She wants to work with propper hardwoods as this will be better to use and will age nicely with the elements and weather.

Where in Dublin/Leinster area sells hardwoods for outdoor use??

Many thanks.:)

redser7

Try posting this question in Woodcraft here ...
http://boards.ie/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=530

I know I read threads on this before. Do a search on the site for hardwood, should give you plenty of info ...

redser7

btw Paddy, I hope to build a little corner pergola type structure in spring out of pressure treated wood. Have only been around B&Q and the like so far and they are not much use. Can she recommend somewhere to get it? In Dublin also, thanks

Git101

Maybe try Lisnavagh Timber Project

paddy147

redser7 wrote: »

btw Paddy, I hope to build a little corner pergola type structure in spring out of pressure treated wood. Have only been around B&Q and the like so far and they are not much use. Can she recommend somewhere to get it? In Dublin also, thanks

She wants to build this stuff herself,as she pi55ed off with the lack of propper garden products and hardwoods from the builders providers and diy shops.

Shes a woman on a mission,and theres no stopping her from doing this now.

I,ll let you know who shes gets on in the next few weeks.:)

Sonnenblumen

When it comes to timber constructional garden elements, some of the available softwoods will outperfom hardwoods. Quality pressure treated timbers are as good if not better than hardwood and being more cost effective is also an important factor.

Because it's got 'hard' in the wood does not mean it is better.

There is also the environmental concerns about using hardwoods in garden products as well as the comparative high maintenance requirements of hardwoods.

Quality timber stockists will stock a good selection.

mathepac

paddy147 wrote: »

... as she pi55ed off with the lack of propper garden products and hardwoods from the builders providers and diy shops ...

This is a bit like getting upset when the local pharmacist doesn't have the equipment or training to shoe her horse.

She needs to contact either a specialist saw-mill or a timber merchant for apple, oak, teak, beech, birch, etc. They will also guide her on the choice of hardwood depending on the application.

Remember there are hard softwoods as well as soft hardwoods. A general rule of thumb is that a deciduous broad-leaved slow-growing tree produces hardwood and an evergreen fast maturing tree produces softwood (there are exceptions)

reverenddave

most ''hard''woods are notoriously expensive, in ireland anyway

but there is a guy in macroom in cork i forget his name but i can get it off a woodcarver friend of mine if you want
but he has got all sorts of timber down there he'll cut it to size for you too if you want
last time i was down to him about 3-4 years ago i got some huge 600mmx70mmx4-5metres long lenghts of Californian Redwood and he only charged me €40 or maybe €50

Sonnenblumen wrote: »

When it comes to timber constructional garden elements, some of the available softwoods will outperfom hardwoods. Quality pressure treated timbers are as good if not better than hardwood and being more cost effective is also an important factor.

Because it's got 'hard' in the wood does not mean it is better.

There is also the environmental concerns about using hardwoods in garden products as well as the comparative high maintenance requirements of hardwoods.

Quality timber stockists will stock a good selection.

and as sunflower says just because it's hardwood doesn't make it any better
e.g. Balsa wood is a hardwood and it's used by puppet makers
even wine bottle corks are made from hardwood
so dont be fooled by the name

if i was you i would try some decking suppliers as they would have adequate sized timbers at generally good prices and normally be able to advise you too

1chippy

paddy147 wrote: »

My girlfriend is a budding garden designer and is sick and tired of going around to builders providers and looking for hardwoods for building outdoor structures,like swings,and pergulas.

All the builders providers seem to stock is softwoods and pressure treated wood.:(

She wants to work with propper hardwoods as this will be better to use and will age nicely with the elements and weather.

Where in Dublin/Leinster area sells hardwoods for outdoor use??

Many thanks.:)

morgan mcmahons or some brooks stock a good range of hardwoods. Iroko Teak is your best option for weathering and hardwearing, (make sure you use stainless steel srews and pre bore everything. Cedar or larch aren't bad options either however they dont take abuse as much cause they are that bit softer. dont try oak or ash or similar they are hard but will split take black stains and have more of a tendancy
to move. hope i've been a bit of help if your stuck to get stuff machined pm me

paddy147

Thanks very much folks.:)

We just found a sawmill and timber merchant in Dublin who can supply us with plenty of Larch,Teak and Oak and Cedar wood.

She is going for Larch wood as she wants it to age nicely and get a lovely silver/grey colour from the wood as it ages and settles in with the elements.

Thanks again.:)

paddy147

1chippy wrote: »

morgan mcmahons or some brooks stock a good range of hardwoods. Iroko Teak is your best option for weathering and hardwearing, (make sure you use stainless steel srews and pre bore everything. Cedar or larch aren't bad options either however they dont take abuse as much cause they are that bit softer. dont try oak or ash or similar they are hard but will split take black stains and have more of a tendancy
to move. hope i've been a bit of help if your stuck to get stuff machined pm me

Thanks.

Where abouts are you based and do you have your own machine and workshop facilities??

feel free to PM me if you want to.:)

Stinicker

Get on to An Coillte I remember Duncan Stewart getting some Elm from them for his TV show one time.

busman

paddy147 wrote: »

Thanks very much folks.:)

She is going for Larch wood as she wants it to age nicely and get a lovely silver/grey colour from the wood as it ages and settles in with the elements.

Thanks again.:)

So she went with a hard softwood then