European Prime Beech
Botanical Name
Overview
No. 2 Clear (Para 401). No. 4 Clear, Factory Flitch, Select Merchantable.
Cedar – Western Red
Cladding, Decking, Joinery – Exterior, Greenhouse Manufacturing
Certification
PEFC
FSC (limited)
Origin
Canada, North West USA
Density
390kg/m3
Physical Structure
Its light weight and soft timber contributes to low strength properties and compared with European redwood (Pinus sylvestris) it is some 20 to 30 per cent inferior in bending strength, and about 15 per cent less stiff. It is also much less resistant to splitting and indentation on side grain than redwood
Durability
Durable
Drying
Thin sizes dry readily with little degrade, but the timber generally tends to hold its moisture at the centre and care is needed with thick stock to avoid internal honeycombing and collapse. The timber holds its position well after drying with practically no tendency to warp.
Moisture Content
KD 13 – 19% : AD 50%+
Working Qualities
The timber works easily with both hand and machine tools, but its relatively brittle nature, which can cause splintering during some operations, and its soft character, which can lead to chip-bruising, usually means that care is needed in order to obtain the best results during mortising, planing and moulding
Storage Advice
Green stock outside, KD stock under cover
Purchasing Cycle
12 month
