Rough Sawn Joinery
Gilmour and Aitken offer a full range of both tropical and temperate hardwood timbers. *Species list below.
Tropical Timbers
Rough sawn joinery timbers are sourced from Malaysia and Central Africa in the main from well managed forests. We have FSC® and PEFC certification for nearly all our joinery timbers so please do request certified upon order.
We audit our suppliers frequently, tracking back to the stump to check chain of custody.
Responsibly sourced timbers help to contribute to maintain these precious forests while at the same time providing employment in fragile areas. There is no clearfell in tropical forestry, reduced impact logging is standard across all responsible tropical forestry nations and the canopy is maintained for the future.
Responsibly Logged Forest in Malaysia. Credit PEFC
Temperate Timbers are sourced from both Central Europe and North America and where possible from the UK. Certified timber is available.
UK timbers tend to be Larch and Douglas Fir and we often work with local estates to evaluate logs on site. Oak is available in the UK but similar to the Larch and Douglas Fir, not to the same commercial volume. Our Sawmill on site can process large and wide logs which allow us to process logs which are typically too large for production mills.
Ayous Thermowood: Ayous’ thermal modification process consists of drying, heating and cooling the timber in a controlled atmosphere. This produces chemical changes to the cell structure of the Ayous that not only alters its appearance, but increases its durability — again, performing similarly to cedar when used outdoors.
Thermal heat treatment limits shrinking and swelling which provides the wood with additional dimensional stability, guarding the wood against warping as a result of changes in moisture. The process also provides the timber with enhanced resistance to a range of microorganisms and insects — suited for outdoor application and exposure to the elements.
Ayous is a tropical hardwood tree native to the forests of Central and West Africa. With the botanical name Triplochiton scleroxylon, Ayous is also known as African whitewood, Obeche, Samba, Abachi and Wawa. These trees typically grow to around 50m in height. They have traditionally been sold into the Mediterranean which has a warmer climate, but have been lesser known species in the UK market until the Thermal Modification process has allowed the timber to meet the counties climatic conditions and market needs.
G&A hand-pick only prime grade timbers in a wide range of lengths and sizes. Our timbers provide an exceptional base for dressing and we can offer expert advice on which products are suitable for your project. For more information on our range, please refer to our Rough Sawn Timber range below.
For a quote please contact our sales team on sales@gilmouraitken.com or 01389 752 333 01389 752 333
NAME | IMAGE | LATIN NAME | COUNTRY | DENSITY | MOVEMENT IN SERVICE |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AGBA | Gossweilerodendron balwsamiferum | West Africa | 510kg/m3 | Low | |
WHITE ASH | Fraxinus excelsior | North America | 710kg/m3 | Medium | |
BEECH | Gogus sylvatica | European | 720 kg/m3 | Medium | |
BRAZILIAN CEDAR | Cedrela spp. | Brazil | 480kg/m3 | Low | |
CHERRY | Prunus serotina | American | 580kg/m3 | Medium | |
DOUGLAS FIR | Pseudotsuga menziesii | N.America and UK | 530kg/m3 | Medium | |
HEMLOCK | Tsuga heterophylla | North America | 590kg/m3 | Medium | |
IDIGBO/ EMERY | Terminalia ivorensis | West Africa | 560kg/m3 | Low/Medium | |
IROKO | Milicia excelsa | West Africa | 660kg/m3 | Low/Medium | |
AFRICAN MAHOGANY | Khaya spp | West Africa | 530kg/m3 | Low/Medium | |
MAPLE | Acer saccharum | North American | 740kg/m3 | Medium | |
MAJAU | Shorea spp | Sabah | 710kg/m3 | Low | |
MERANTI | Shorea spp | SE Asia | 710kg/m3 | Low | |
AMERICAN RED OAK | Quercus rubra | North America | 790kg/m3 | Med/High | |
WHITE OAK | Quercus alba | North America | 770kg/m3 | Med/High | |
EUROPEAN OAK | Quercus robur | European | 720kg/m3 | Medium | |
PARANA PINE | Araucaria angustifolia | South America | 550kg/m3 | Medium | |
PITCH PINE | pinus caribaea | Honduras | 675kg/m3 | Medium | |
SAPELE | Entandrophragma cylindricum | Cameroon | 640kg/m3 | Medium | |
TEAK | Tectona grandis | Burma, Thailand | 660kg/m3 | Low | |
TULIPWOOD | liriodendron tulipifera | North America | 510kg/m3 | Medium | |
UTILE | Entandrophragma utile | West Africa | 660kg/m3 | Low/Medium | |
BLACK WALNUT | Juglans nigra | American | 660kg/m3 | Medium | |
WESTERN RED CEDAR | Thuja plicata | North America | 390kg/m3 | Medium | |
SOUTHERN YELLOW PINE | Pinus palustris | North America | 450kg/m3 | Medium | |
QUEBEC PINE | Pinus strobus | North America | 390kg/m3 | Low/Medium | |
Here to help
Please see our services page for our sawmilling value add services. If you would like to discuss your project or your specific requirements, please call us on 01389 752333 or send an email to sales@gilmouraitken.com.Gilmour & Aitken Ltd
Milton Sawmills. Jamestown,
Alexandria,
Dunbartonshire, G83 9EY