Large Timbers Centred at our New Cheltenham Branch

Large Section Timbers

New branch manager Warwick Weir has taken on the challenge of promoting large section timbers.

Accordingly, the Cheltenham branch will become the main branch handling big timbers for Bowens. This usually includes durable timbers such as Ironbark, Tallowwood, Spotted Gum and Blackbutt to name a few.

That said, Cheltenham will have an understanding of the various products available and the relative costs and the ability to advise an appropriate product, typically based on the criteria below.

One of the many situations, we are confronted with today is appreciating ongoing maintenance such as post and beam pergolas on high rise buildings, knowing replacement timbers cannot happen. In all probability we may advise a recycled product is a more fit for purpose than a more cheaper alternative unseasoned product.

“In all probability we may advise a recycled product is a more fit for purpose than a more cheaper alternative unseasoned product.”

I thought it appropriate I list the various products available, particularly understanding new seasoned timber is unavailable in thicknesses larger than 50 millimetres. Accordingly, all the products below, except recycled timber, are unseasoned.

Unseasoned Posts & Beams

Small post sections, say 100×100, 125×125 & even perhaps to 150×150 ideally would be free of heart centre. However, once the length goes past 3 metres as they tend to bend so straightness can be an issue.

Larger and longer posts than above will likely have to include the heart. In this case the proper requirement should read; boxed sound heart.

For larger sections, for example post & beam construction, again should be boxed sound heart.

Another governing factor is understanding the desired species durability, particularly as these type of products are invariably used outside in the weather or in-ground.

Accordingly, we have knowledge of Australian Standard AS 5604—2005 and can advise the appropriate product for most situations.

These timbers are unseasoned so over time some moisture loss/shrinkage, even some minor cracking can be expected.

Reclaimed Timber

Many mistakenly believe reclaimed is the same as recycled. Reclaimed is where a tree may have fallen or been destroyed even in a reserved forest and it is available for milling. In all likelihood it will be still unseasoned so the above criteria would still apply.

“Many mistakenly believe reclaimed is the same as recycled. Reclaimed is where a tree may have fallen or been destroyed even in a reserved forest and it is available for milling.”

Recycled Timber

Again many mistakenly believe because the material has been sourced from a demolished building it will be cheaper from a newer alternative. Nothing can be further from the truth and I will explain why:

• Firstly, a recycler will have to bid for the demolished product. I know for example when we demolished the existing building for the new Cheltenham store we were able to resurrect some 200×50 hardwood roof beams, it resulted in a return of $28000
• The recycler usually has to de-metal nails, screws or bolts, a very intensive labour exercise
• Then the machining takes place which could be very taxing on the machinery to say nothing of the possibility of waste.

The advantages of a recycled product:

• As the material could be up to 80 years to 100 years old it will reasonably dry. This is the only way of us being able to supply a seasoned product in large sections and lengths
• It was originally milled in times from old growth mature trees
• Both the above usually results in a product that is very stable
• It can display characteristics features not possible in new timber
• Sometimes an architect will specify large timbers for internal roof timbers.

Disadvantages of a recycled product:

• Cost compared to a newer unseasoned product
• Time taken to deliver. Each order is different and has to be produced accordingly.

Please direct any enquiries to Andrew Stolzenbrurg, on 0490176540 or Jeff Harvey on 0412550740.