The specifier's checklist for durable timber in hospitality settings

When it comes to hospitality design, timber brings warmth, character and a sense of luxury. It is the perfect choice for everything from cladding on eco-hotel exteriors to exposed beams in cosy pubs, and suits a wide range of brand images. But hospitality settings are demanding, and choosing the right timber species for your building is a must.

To help you specify with confidence, our EcoChoice timber experts have put together this handy checklist for choosing the right timber every time.

1. Pay Attention to Durability Class

For long-lasting, low-maintenance timber, you need a species with a high natural durability. These are timbers which will hold up well against moisture exposure and insects, so that you do not have to worry about rotting wood in your hospitality setting.

When specifying timber, we recommend getting to grips with durability classes. These are classifications given to timber species based on their durability, with class 5 being the least durable and class 1 being the most durable.

Read our guide on durability classes to learn more.

2. Consider Your Environment

The right timber species will vary depending on the environment in which it sits. For instance, any timber used externally and exposed to the weather will typically need to be durability class 3 or above, depending on use class, detailing and exposure.If timber is in ground contact, it should be suitable for Use Class 4 applications, either through high natural durability (e.g.Ekki or Greenheart) or appropriate preservative treatment.

Indoor timber can typically be less hardy, and you will have the pick of the bunch from Pine to Oak and everything in between. Just be cautious of using rot-prone timbers in humid environments, e.g. hotel bathrooms.

3. Follow Fire Regulations

Fire regulations are important in hospitality, and timber can occasionally pose an issue. Fire performance is governed by reaction-to-fire classification and overall system design, rather than timber density alone. If you are concerned about following fire regulations, speak to our team and we will be happy to help you choose the right timber species to meet UK standards.

4. Prioritise Longevity Over Cost

For most hospitality projects, we would advise you always to consider longevity over upfront cost. This is because cheaper timbers, such as Pine, tend to be higher maintenance, which is not ideal when you are running a business. By choosing performance and specification over upfront cost, you will be doing your future finances a favour and ensuring your timber is a low-maintenance feature.

5. Do not Forget About Sustainability

More than 80% of consumers are willing to pay a sustainable premium (a higher price for eco-friendly products or services). Choosing environmentally conscious materials is not just good for the planet, but also good for your business. That is why it is so important you use sustainably sourced timber from FSC and PEFC-certified woodlands, where conservation is always a priority. The good news? We have plenty of sustainable timber at EcoChoice.

Buy Sustainable Timber for Hospitality and Commercial Settings

From decking to exterior furniture, we supply a wide range of FSC and PEFC-certified timber products to hospitality businesses around the UK. With plenty of species to choose from and an expert team at your side, we will make finding the right timber for your project a whole lot easier.

Start an order of sustainable timber.