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From creating homes on unlevel ground to carrying out conservation projects in remote areas, working on raw soil is always tricky. Add lots of rain and heavy machinery to the equation and your site can quickly become a swamp! Luckily, there are lots of solutions which can make the work easier.

One option is the use of timber bog mats. These super handy, sustainable products make working in natural environments easier than ever.

What Are Bog Mats?

Bog mats are a form of ground protection placed over fragile areas of construction sites. They make it easier in particular for heavy machinery to get through without churning up the soil beneath, protecting the land and making it easier to get the work done. Bog mats can also be used in other industries, including temporary events such as music festivals where heavy equipment is transported to and from the site.

These temporary structures are frequently made from timber and are lightweight and stable, providing a simple solution for a common problem.

Why Are Bog Mats Used?

There are a few main reasons why bog mats are used in construction. The first is to make it easier for important machinery to access the site. Without bog mats, any uneven ground, pooling water or muddy bogs could make it tricky for vehicles to move around the area, leading to stuck machinery and damaged equipment.

Bog mats are also vital for preventing the land from becoming troublesome to begin with. By placing timber mats on the ground, it removes the chance of wet earth being churned up by vehicles, creating a better surface to work on.

This is also crucial for ground and soil conservation purposes. By protecting the ground beneath the mats, there are fewer negative consequences for the natural landscape and once the work is done, the team can leave without having created any long-lasting problems.

Why Is Timber the Best Choice for Bog Mats?

Bog mats tend to be made from timber (though less eco-conscious building teams may use plastic, but this is becoming less popular as sustainability gains prominence in construction). Timber is a naturally durable choice which has been used for centuries to create strong, hard-wearing bog mats which effectively protect the ground beneath them.

It is also a fairly lightweight material which is really easy to work with, making it useful when the mats need to be frequently moved or adjusted to suit different sites. Strong timber species can withstand large weight loads, so huge vehicles can drive around with ease.

Do not forget that timber is a renewable resource, too! It is biodegradable, carbon sequestering, and – when supplied by EcoChoice – a responsible choice for eco-friendly building works.

Tried, tested and given the stamp of approval, timber is the unbeaten choice for effective bog mats.

Find Timber Bog Mats at EcoChoice

At EcoChoice, we can supply responsibly sourced timber bog mats to construction sites around the UK. Whatever your project and whenever you need it, we have got you covered. Get in touch to learn more about our timber bog mats or to start your order.

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Benefits of timber bog mats

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

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  • 1 month ago

Good quality, great service, fast delivery!

Marinella Li

  • 9 years ago

Wonderful guys!

Nicola Edmead

  • 6 years ago

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

Emma Hurrell

  • 9 years ago

Excellent service and outstanding product

Cindy Dicks

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