Mill & Merchant Editorial

Features, buying notes and the long read on timber.

Written for self-builders, makers and trade buyers. Practical guides to choosing species, sourcing timber from independent UK suppliers, and getting the most from every board.

Full archive →Timber guides →Species library →

Maker's Guide

Why Timber Moves — and What to Do About It

Every cracked tabletop, jammed drawer, and split door panel has the same root cause: wood movement wasn't accounted for. This isn't a defect — it's physics. Here's what every maker needs to understand before cutting anything to final size.

5 min read

Species Guide

The Complete UK Timber Species Guide: What to Use When

Short version: There’s no single “best” timber in the UK — the right choice depends on whether you’re building for outside vs inside, structural vs furniture, and how much movement, durability, and workability you can tolerate.

5 min read

Maker's Guides

See all maker's guides →

Maker's Guide

Why Timber Moves — and What to Do About It

5 min read

Species Guides

See all species guides →

Species Guide

The Complete UK Timber Species Guide: What to Use When

5 min read

Get the Timber Buying Companion

An 8-page practical guide to choosing better boards, avoiding waste and spotting common timber problems before you buy.