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On the global stage of timber, Greenheart is definitely on the podium as one of the most durable hardwoods on the market. Tough and taking no nonsense, it is the perfect wood for long-lasting constructions. But Greenheart is also a tropical species, causing some of our clients to worry about the footprint for their projects. This is where recycled Greenheart comes in.

Want to learn more? Let’s dive in.

An Introduction to Greenheart

Renowned for its durability and strength, Greenheart is a hardwood which is native to South America. Its extraordinary resistance to rot along with its incredibly high density make it a favourite for marine construction projects, including timber piers and fenders, as well as civil projects, with applications including river works and sea defences.

In terms of looks, it lives up to the name with a green, olive hue cut through with darker streaks.

Why Sustainable Greenheart is a Must

While Greenheart is undoubtedly a great choice for external uses, it is important to consider the sustainability of the timber. As it comes from South America, there are concerns about deforestation and illegal logging in the acquisition of Greenheart timber, something of which we are vigilant to steer clear at EcoChoice. With FSC-certified Greenheart from sustainable forests, our timber is always sourced responsibly.

But recycled Greenheart takes sustainability a step further. By upcycling existing wood, you can avoid any potential felling issues and ensure your project carries the ultimate green credentials.

Greenheart Recycling Process

Whether you are looking for sustainable Greenheart bridges or hard wearing Greenheart benches, recycled timber is always a great option. To learn more about what recycled Greenheart is, let’s take a look at the recycling process.

In its simplest form, recycled Greenheart is salvaged wood which is re-purposed for a new application. This usually begins by carefully removing the Greenheart timber and removing any fixings before sorting/grading it based on its quality and condition. Some techniques to bring worn-out timber back to life, including milling, and sanding may be used at this point to freshen up the recycled wood and ensure it meets EcoChoice standards.

Recovered Greenheart beams

Greenheart beams recovered from a decommissioned bridge in Wales

Environmental Benefits of Recycled Greenheart

There are plenty of environmental benefits when you choose recycled Greenheart timber. By repurposing the old wood, you reduce the demand for freshly felled timber, preserving woodlands and reducing the stress on our environment. You also help cut down on waste timber heading to landfills, contributing to a circular economy which is more beneficial for everyone involved.

Recycled Greenheart Applications

Recycled Greenheart can be used for just as many applications as standard Greenheart, making it a smart choice for a range of projects! It maintains the same inherent strength and durability, and is ideal for structural applications, including timber beams, and as a timber for marine construction and civil works.

Find Recycled Greenheart at EcoChoice

As champions of sustainable timber, we are proud to supply premium recycled Greenheart to projects around the UK. For both commercial and private builds, this is one of the most reliable species you can choose and comes with our expert stamp of approval.

To learn more about recycled Greenheart timber or start an order today, get in touch with our friendly team.

Greenheart bench

Ask Joe! Expert industry advice

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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What our customers say about us

Good quality, great service, fast delivery!

5

Marinella Li

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.

5

Janet Sycamore

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.

5

Tim Saunders

Great quality, service and price. A pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend Eco Choice.

5

Emma Hurrell

Fantastic company- Mike and the team are the best in the business- worked with them for many years.

5

Prem Raja

Always reliable and quality products, easy to deal with company.

5

Stone Zone

4.9

Average rating on Google Reviews

  • 6 years ago

Great quality, service and price. A pleasure to deal with. I would highly recommend Eco Choice.

Emma Hurrell

  • 9 years ago

Wonderful guys!

Nicola Edmead

  • 1 month ago

Good quality, great service, fast delivery!

Marinella Li

  • 6 years ago

Fantastic company- Mike and the team are the best in the business- worked with them for many years.

Prem Raja

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