Global production of wood products is at its highest growth in 70 years

The global production and trade of wood products, such as sawn wood, round wood and others have reached record highs since the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) began recording forest statistics in 1947.

On the rise

In 2018, record levels of wood products were traded around the world and the value of international trade grew 11% compared to 2017 statistics. The areas that saw the most significant growth were: North America, Europe and the Asian-Pacific region.

The production of sawn wood grew by 2% in 2018 and the manufacture of both sawn timber and panels also reached new record highs, equivalent to 188 million tonnes and 66 million tonnes respectively. Over the same period, there was a rise in round wood production around the world, and its manufacture increased by 5% and reached a record output of 3.03 billion cubic metres. China also grew in prominence in this area and held a whopping 25% share of imports. New Zealand overtook the Russian Federation and became 2018’s top exporter of industrial round wood.

Senior Forestry Officer, Sven Walter, said: “The increased production of renewable forest products provides an opportunity to replace fossil-based products that have a higher carbon footprint, thereby contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals,” Sven Walter heads FAO’s forest products and statistics team.

Turning to timber

It’s fantastic that wood production is increasing and timber products are replacing less environmentally-friendly alternatives such as steel, aluminium and concrete. However, these numbers mean there is a greater need than ever to make sure the wood we source for construction and other industries is sustainably sourced from well-managed forests. Otherwise we could again be fuelling the destruction of the natural world.

The increasing global demand for low-cost timber supports the multi-million dollar illegal logging of forests across the world. This illegal logging accounts for up to 10% of the worldwide production of wood products. However, when it comes to the world’s most valuable forests, such as the Amazon, it represents between 40-50% of the logging volume in these regions.

Feeling the strain

Native forests can’t sustainably meet the current global demand for forestry products (wood, paper, etc). The Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) states that approximately 24.7 million acres of plantations exist worldwide to meet this soaring demand. While these plantations take the pressure off the native forests and help meet the high needs for timber, there are many negative impacts in converting native forests to plantations, such as loss of the natural ecosystem and habitats for wildlife.

The increase in global timber demand needs to be carefully managed so as not to destroy more of our precious natural forests.

Doing our bit

At EcoChoice, we promote and sell timber sourced sustainably from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified forests. This means that the forests are well managed and you’ll know precisely where your wood came from. FSC-managed forests meet the highest environmental and social standards. Every tree that is cut down is either replanted or allowed to regrow naturally. This protects the local environment, people and the ecosystem of the forest. When you choose FSC-certified timber from EcoChoice or any other supplier, you’re helping to support our forests.

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Growth of wood product production

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Unsure which timer is best for your project?

Our timber experts have years of experience and will be able to match the perfect species to your project, as well as provide a quote for sustainable timber at highly competitive prices.

Frequently asked questions

Do you supply timber for domestic uses?

Yes, we supply timber for domestic applications as well as commercial and public constructions. From garden decking to shed cladding, we will be happy to supply smaller deliveries for home use.

Is your timber FSC-certified?

Yes, all timber we supply is FSC or PEFC certified and sourced from independently verified responsibly managed forests. If we can’t find your request in FSC/PEFC certified timber we’ll suggest an alternative that is certified or clearly note that the offer is minimum EUTR.

Where does EcoChoice deliver to?

EcoChoice delivers to construction sites, warehouses and homes across the UK, as long as there’s access and unloading for our trucks.

What are the best timber species for exterior use?

There are many different timber species suitable for exterior use and which is the best for your project depends on your requirements. In general, though, we recommend EkkiGreenheartOpepe and Oak for heavier civil/marine uses. For intermediary external use such as decking, where the timber needs to be both strong and durable but not on the same level as civil engineering (bridgespiling, etc) we usually supply CumaruIpe, Jatoba, and Balau. And for the lighter exterior use where the timber is non-structural such as cladding, we deliver CedarLarchThermowood and others.

Which timber is the most durable?

Durability Class 1 timbers are the most durable. This of course depends on the use (hazard) class they’ll be in service for. For direct ground and water contact such as sleepers, fenders, marine piling, etc, Ekki and Greenheart are known to be the most durable timbers available. For decking and cladding where there’s no direct ground contact (use class 3) there’s a much wider range of timbers such Larch, Cedar, Thermo modified Pine or Ash and others.

What’s the best timber for internal cladding?

Internal cladding, where your timber is not in ground and not exposed to the elements can be classed as either use-class 1 or 2 – in which case most timbers will meet this durability criteria. That is not to say they’ll be the best, since internal environments have lower humidity (moisture) levels than outside. So in these cases, it’s best to go for a kiln-dried timber cladding board as these are more stable and delivered already in lower MC (moisture content) than the usual fresh sawn timbers sent to external applications. A word of caution – as timber reacts to variations in moisture, it’s best to avoid cladding any areas inside your bathroom.

How can I make decking less slippery?

The first thing is to ensure your deck boards are kept clean from leaves and other debris which will, over time, cover the surface and make it more slippery. Grooved boards can be used to improve grip if installed and used perpendicular to traffic, so especially useful in narrow passages and footbridges. Lastly, you can add our Grip-Choice strips: these are a mix of epoxy with aggregates that add gripping ridges to your deck area. Gripchoice is an easy way to make decking less slippery and safer, especially over large areas or where there’s high traffic. We can pre-install Grip-Choice strips for your decking before delivery or ship the strips separately to add to your existing deck’s grooves as a retro-fit solution.

What wood machining services do you offer?

We can offer planing, sawing, drilling and profiling of rough-sawn wood to any profile you require: from handrails to large port fenders.

Can you supply pre-drilled timber?

Yes, we will be happy to provide pre-drilled timber which is tailored to your needs for quick installation, thus saving you valuable time on site.

What cladding profiles do you supply?

We provide a wide range of cladding profiles, including tongue and groove, featheredge and shiplap. You can check the standard profiles here – but we can also match or custom make profiles to suit your specific needs.

Does timber change colour?

Yes, timber is well-known for changing colour over time. Some species can darken quickly right after installation, and like most untreated wood will eventually weather to a beautiful silver-grey. Interior timber is less likely to change colour (depending on conditions), and timber can be stained, painted or treated with UV-resistant oils to reduce colour change.

Do I need to treat exterior timber?

Some timbers such as Oak and Ekki, can withstand the strains of exterior use without any treatment. However, to extend the lifespan and maintain the aesthetic of your wood, we do recommend treating your timber with stains and oils. Pre-treated timber, such as ThermoWood and OrganoWood, are low-maintenance options which are more durable, but can have their life service extended by applying a clean and stain maintenance schedule.

Do I need to treat interior timber?

Depends on what area the timber is being used. For floor joists and timber rafters, it is common to see timber treated, or least very well kiln-dried. Other uses such as flooring may benefit from varnishing while internal timber cladding for decorative purposes shouldn’t require any treatment other than if you want to change its colour with different types of stains or oils.

Where are you based?

We’re based in Cambridge, UK, and coordinate multiple sawmills all over the world to manufacture your order. We then organise delivery with a range of hauliers so that your orders gets to your site on time.

What are the usual decking sizes?

Timber decking is usually 21x140mm or similar. For heavier applications where there’s more load and traffic, we deliver 35 or 45mm thick boards (such as Hastings Pier). Narrower boards are also possible: 95-90mm is a standard width – but we can manufacture whatever size you require.

What are the usual cladding sizes?

Typical cladding section sizes are 18×95 and 18x145mm although we can always custom make a section to suit your project’s design requirements. That includes waney edge boards in Oak or Chestnut as well as extra wide 195mm boards.

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Always helpful! One of our valued TDCA DeckMark and CladMark accredited supplier members which means their quality procedures are routinely audited and stand up to scrutiny giving you extra peace of mind.

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Having needed the supply of cladding, decking boards and other specified timbers through out the year Eco choice have been very helpful in sourcing the specified timbers and quantities required at a very competitive price.

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Always helpful! One of our valued TDCA DeckMark and CladMark accredited supplier members which means their quality procedures are routinely audited and stand up to scrutiny giving you extra peace of mind.

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