Published: 11/02/26 By: Mike Bekin
Timber is becoming an increasingly popular staple in public construction. Sustainable, cost-effective and (as long as you choose the right species) low-maintenance, it is a smart choice for a multitude of projects.
While choosing a timber species, it is important to consider that specifying timber for high-traffic civic environments is not the same as choosing timber for residential builds. Public spaces face heavier use and stricter requirements, and it is worth taking some time to understand the boxes you will need to tick before diving into a purchase.
In this guide, we will walk through the essential considerations for specifying timber for parks and civic spaces.
Finalising the Application
Before selecting a timber, you need to know exactly what it will be used for and, ideally, the technical specifications of your design. This is a must for choosing a timber species which is fit for purpose and suits the environment. If, for instance, you are building decking around a park pond, any areas which will be constantly exposed to water will need to be built from a timber which handles moisture exposure with ease to prevent potential issues with rot and structural integrity.
Matching Your Application to Durability Class
Once you have finalised the details of your application, we recommend reviewing the durability classes of different timbers. These classifications make it much easier to match your project to a species which will suit the purpose, environment and traffic of your construction. Let’s take a quick look at durability classes to learn more:
| Durability Class | Suitable applications |
| 5 | Internal use where the timber will be kept permanently dry. |
| 4 | Internal use, which may be exposed to moisture. |
| 3 | External use above ground and correctly treated, such as timber cladding or window frames. |
| 2 | External use in direct contact with the ground or soil, e.g. timber decking, landscaping sleepers or fence posts. |
| 1 | External use in constant (or near constant) exposure to water, such as lock gates and marine piling. |
If you are installing timber decking, you now know to look for a durability class 2+ timber, such as Oak or Yellow Balau.
Maintenance Planning
A key consideration for public projects is maintenance. The more maintenance you need to keep your timber in good condition, the more expensive the lifetime cost of the project will be. Regular maintenance can also lead to area closures, which is not ideal for the public.
When specifying a timber, ensure you choose one which is hard-wearing. Typically, the right durability class will ensure this is the case but if in doubt, we would always recommend leaning towards a denser, more durable option.
Great, low-maintenance timbers which we supply at EcoChoice include ThermoWood, Ipe, Western Red Cedar, and Ekki.
Ensuring Sustainability and Certification
Public projects must source timber sustainably from responsibly managed forests. This is a legal requirement in the UK, so you definitely do not want to skip it! When specifying timber for public parks and civic spaces, look for
- FSC® or PEFC certification to ensure responsible forestry practices
- EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) for understanding environmental impact
- Supplier transparency around origin and harvesting standards
At EcoChoice, we make ensuring sustainability compliance easy. We only supply timber from responsibly managed woodlands which are certified by either FSC or PEFC, and can provide you with all necessary documentation (e.g. EPDs) on request.
Work With Reliable Timber Suppliers
Our final tip for specifying timbers for public works is always to team up with a reliable timber supplier, such as EcoChoice. We are used to supplying timber for both small and large public constructions, and offer easy communication, flexible delivery, and a wide range of high-quality timber products.
To learn more or start an order, reach out to our team today.
Tags: civic spaces, public spaces, Timber
Categories: Insights
