Learn timber before you buy it
The independent resource for anyone who works with timber.
Three ways in
Structured tracks from buying basics to finishing and the maker's craft.
Explore →Durability, movement, workability and what each timber is actually for.
Explore →Movement, cladding, shed framing and cost — free calculators, no sign-up.
Explore →Also: Glossary · From the Cab
The curriculum
Work in order or jump to what you need — buying, moisture, species, structure, finishing and the maker's craft.
How trees become wood and what wood actually is. The absolute basics every timber buyer and maker needs.
10 guides →
How wood behaves as a material. The most important track for avoiding mistakes — covers why boards warp, cup, twist, and shrink.
10 guides →
How species differ in hardness, strength, durability, and more. Connects directly to the species library.
10 guides →
What happens between the forest and the workshop — sawing, drying, grading, storage, and buying.
10 guides →
Practical material understanding. How wood science translates into craft practice — movement, joinery, glue, outdoor use.
10 guides →
How to recognise, name, and read timber species. Complements the species library.
10 guides →
Deeper anatomy, chemistry, degradation, and engineering behaviour. For learners who want the underlying wood science.
10 guides →
Continue reading
Fresh from the library — practical, timber-aware, written for real UK conditions.
Latest in the curriculum
Timber Properties
In Guide 1, we covered density — the most informative single number about any timber species. We noted that density and hardness are strongly correlated: more cell wall material per unit volume means more resistance at the surface.
Read guide →Know your timber
A rotating selection of useful timber species, modified woods and common workshop materials — chosen for real project decisions, not just appearance.
Quercus robur
Heartwood is a light to medium brown, commonly with an olive cast, though there can b…
Profile →Entandrophragma cylindricum
Heartwood is a golden to dark reddish brown.
Profile →Milicia excelsa
Heartwood is usually a yellow to golden or medium brown, with color tending to darken…
Profile →Larix decidua
Heartwood ranges from yellow to a medium reddish brown.
Profile →Quick calculations
From the cab
Short dispatches on the wood, the places, and the people behind the trade.
Free guide + newsletter
An 8-page practical guide to choosing better boards, avoiding waste and spotting common timber problems before you buy.
