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Green oak is the buzz word in the timber industry. It describes timber that has been newly cut and also timber which has been rested for a short period. Newly felled timber has a high water content. Green oak that has been allowed to air dry for a while will have lost some of its water and will show to have approximately 40% moisture content. Should the oak be left for longer, it will naturally air dry, reducing the moisture content to some 18%. Kiln drying the timber reduces this figure even further. The timber may then be described as ‘seasoned’.
Some people are wary of using green oak in building projects as the wood can shrink somewhat as it dries and is known to distort. All timber shrinks and swells in reaction to its surroundings, so a degree of movement should be expected within the wood. With prudent selection, green oak can be used with impunity in construction schemes because a joiner or craftsman can assess fairly accurately how the timber will behave during the drying process.
A leading attribute of green oak, is that it is easily sourced and will be less expensive than seasoned or kiln dried oak. Green oak is a good choice for beams and timber frames because of its durability and benefits from a level straight grain. This makes it amazingly strong and perfect for creating foundation structures. Green oak may also be employed in its raw state with only minor industrial processing. This makes it a very cost effective and energy efficient material to utilize in house construction. Oak is a very beautiful wood that ages elegantly and which is capable of providing a rich depth of character to any home. Oak beams are the classic addition to all period properties and are often used during property renovation projects and barn conversions.
Britain was once populated by ancient woodlands. Over time, and because of extensive land clearance, along with man’s insatiable demand for timber, many of our natural timber resources have been stripped. Modern times are witnessing the introduction of effective forest management, and conservation has rescued many a wooded area while at the same time, creating new timber stocks to take us well into the future. British oak is today harvested from sustainable woodlands that are prudently managed and shielded from exploitation. A happy consequence being that you can purchase British oak from accredited sources without being concerned about any negative effects on our woodlands.
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- ‘Sustainable’ timber is not always what it seems (newscientist.com)
- Tulalip Tribes practice selective logging (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- How To Sound Proof A Timber Joist? Good Questions (apartmenttherapy.com)
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