The power of piling

Piling is an essential part of many construction projects. Timber piling is used to provide a structure with deep, solid support in cases where traditional foundations are not an option. 

It’s commonly used where the water table is high and on marine construction projects like jetties and groynes for sea defence. Piling allows builders to create strong, safe structures in locations that would otherwise be difficult to develop. This has made them a very popular construction tool in several countries. 

If you’re planning a marine construction project, or want to build on a floodplain, river estuary or other waterlogged areas, timber piling could well be the solution. 

Keep reading to find out more. 

Marine construction 

Timber is often the most appropriate material for marine piling. As @MarineConstNews says, “Wood pilings are used to build long-lasting foundational structures on land and in water. You just have to ensure that these are the best solution for your project after reviewing the environment and soil conditions.” 

This is because submerged wood is incredibly durable. The lack of oxygen under the water prevents the growth of fungi and helps to preserve the timber for years to come while steel and concrete alternatives are costly, heavy and susceptible to corrosion. 

In some cases, wood that is totally submerged in water can last for centuries. Using piling in marine construction can help to provide a strong, solid, and long-lasting base for structures like jetties, piers and boardwalks. 

Cloeziana 

There are many different timbers used to make piling. Some of the most common species used for this type of construction are FSC Certified Greenheart and Ekki. Recently, we have also introduced a fantastic species called Cloeziana to our timber piling range. 

A type of Eucalyptus, the tree is evergreen and can grow up to 55 metres tall. The tree is native to Australia and grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature is in the range 16 – 27°C.

There are a number of qualities that make Cloeziana ideal for use as timber piling. Some of its key benefits are: 

• FSC 100% certified

• Straight trunk

• Very small taper, approx. 20 mm per metre

• Durability class 1 = extremely durable

• Resistant to marine borers 

• Easy to saw, especially if the wood is fresh

• Good glueing

• Good surface finish

• Minimum bending

These benefits make Cloeziana well-suited for use as piling and we’ve already started using the timber on a number of our projects. 

Most recently, we used FSC Certified Cloeziana piling to rebuild the jetty of The Windermere Jetty Museum to give boats somewhere convenient to dock whilst creating a new attraction for the Lake District. As Cloeziana is ideal for projects like marine piling, we recommended it for the 148, 11 meter long, timber piles used on the Windermere Jetty project.

Other potential uses of Cloeziana include:

• Mooring poles

• Substructures for bridges

• Piling

• Breakwater constructions

• Culvert works

• Retaining walls

If you’re planning a marine construction project, or are looking for an innovative and practical way to provide a structure with strong, stable foundations, timber piling could be the answer. 

Find out more by exploring our site or getting in touch with a member of our team.