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October 11, 2012

Rise in Self-Builds as UK Homeowners Look to Self-Sufficiency and Savings

Timber — Booker Timber @ 12:00 pm

The very first episode of Channel 4 property development show, Grand Designs, featured a thoroughly normal couple building their dream home using a wood frame kit assembled on top of a cliff top in Newhaven. Their budget was tame, even by 1999 standards, but they pulled something splendid and utterly bespoke out of the hat simply by taking the time to source the right materials, design and location for their needs.
Self-builds on a small budget are still a fairly uncommon sight in the UK. Setting aside grand mansions and luxury lodges, the typical way for the average Brit to live is still in a standard model home of brick and mortar. But with the average age of first-time buyers rising to around 34-years-old, savvy Brits are putting their money to a more creative and ultimately beneficial use – self-building homes.

 

The Market
A lot of self-build homes at the more modest end of the market are built using wood and other eco-friendly materials. As a timber merchant, we source our wood ethically and make sure you’re clear on where it’s come from, whether you’re just picking up a bit of cut to size chipboard or enough MFC to furnish a home.
• It’s estimated around 8.25% of all new homes in the UK are self-builds.
• The total number of self-builds in the UK that reached completion has risen each year. The first quarter of 2012 saw a 3.75% increase, and that covers self-builds completed over the winter months.
• Around 31% of all new, detached homes are self-builds, although many are considered high-end properties rather than budget homes.
• The average self-build typically takes around 18-24 months to complete.
• A recent survey by the Building Societies Association found 53% of consumers said they would consider building their own home if it was easier for them to do so (e.g. a healthy, low-cost self-build market existed in the UK and planning permission could be sought more effectively)
• In terms of a place in the European self-build market, the UK is still lagging. 80% of homes in Austria are self-build projects, plus 60% in Germany, France and Italy.

 

Funding
Self-build mortgages are not common in the UK. But they are growing in popularity, and are estimated to rise from £800 million in 2011 to £1.9 billion by 2015.
But how can low cost self-building become the norm in the UK? As suppliers of everything from building timber to plywood sheets, we believe the government needs to publicise the ease of self-building and set up a supportive body to aid consumers and protect their interests. For example, planning permission in the UK represents some of the strictest codes in the world, and that has a huge impact on self-build effectiveness.
A market for self-build funding could also see new opportunities for smaller niche lenders seeking to move away from the constraints of typical mortgage lending. Competition between providers could see the UK housing and mortgage market shift significantly.

September 24, 2012

Choosing the right timber for your project

Sheets,Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 10:07 am

When you’re embarking on a project that requires wood, you’ll need to ensure you have access to suitable supplies. If you can’t access timber of sufficient quality or struggle to get it on time, you will suffer delays and difficulties.

Of course, you have to choose the right wood in the first place. There are lots of different kinds of timber for you to take your pick from. Here at Booker Timber we offer a whole range. As well as marine plywood, MDF and so on, we offer hardwoods like greenheart, iroko maple, poplar and oak. The kind you opt for will depend on your budget and the effects you’re looking to achieve.

Oak is a popular choice

Oak is commonly used in a variety of settings. This wood has a range of properties that make it ideal for various projects. Writing about the material on eHow, Neal Litherland noted that it is an attractive wood and it is often used in flooring and furniture.

Indeed, lots of properties feature oak somewhere within them and the timber can look ideal in both contemporary and traditional looking spaces.

Meanwhile, the wood is also used in walking sticks and in a number of other products.

Grain

Mr Litherland pointed out that different types of oak vary, but there are certain properties they all have in common.

For example, when it comes to grain, he remarked: “Wood may often be purchased for the appearance and feel of its grain. Oak hardwood has an identifiable grain that is described as open and fairly long. The wood has occasional crotches, with swirls and burs as well. The way the boards are sawed from the wood can also make a difference as to the grain that is displayed. Plain sawed boards have a plumed grain, for instance, whereas rift sawn boards have a much tighter grain pattern.”

Colour

When it comes to colour, this depends on the particular oak in question, the writer noted. While white oak can be light brown with a pinkish tint, the heartwood is a creamy white colour. Red oak on the other hand can be tinted rose, he suggested.

Physical properties

Depending what you’re using the wood for, you might be looking for certain physical properties. Oak is hard and it has “medium bending strength”, Mr Litherland stated. He added that it has a high crushing strength, meaning it is good for holding up structures like beams.

Sourcing the best

To make the most of oak, or any other timber for that matter, it’s important you head to a specialist sheet cutting firm like us.

We offer a vast array of timber-related products and have all the experience, knowledge and equipment required to achieve the best results.

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more about our cut to size plywood and so on, just take a look around the rest of our website or get in touch with our friendly and helpful team. We should be perfectly placed to help you.

September 10, 2012

Sourcing timber for property builds

Timber,Uncategorized — Tags: — Booker Timber @ 9:51 am

If you’re currently involved in a property build and require lots of wood, you’ll need to find a reliable timber merchant that’s capable of supplying you with what you want when you want it.

Getting substandard wood or having to wait too long to get your hands on the material could prove disastrous for your project. The good news is, it’s now easy to access superb quality timber at great value prices. Here at Booker Timber we specialise in offering the very best cut-to-size wood around.

A modern statement

One residence that makes full use of wood is the New Pipers in Hertfordshire. According to a report in Homes & Property, the abode makes a “modern statement with glass and timber”. The residence was created by the Bradbury family and dad Jimmi, his wife Liz and their daughter Kim are now enjoying the space.

Mr Bradbury worked on the project with childhood friend and acclaimed modern architect Niall McLaughlin and the finished result is so striking that it is regularly in demand for use in films and TV commercials.

Simple and stunning

According to Homes & Property, the house is “simple and stunning in equal measure”. The news source added: “The house brims with ingenious design and environmentally friendly functions that, in turn, helped it past those tricky planners and persuaded local residents that it was a good thing for the village.”

Persistence paid off

Mr Bradbury had his work cut out bringing the project to life, but he always looked at the positives. About this, he remarked: “As with anything you want to do in this life, think about everything that could go right. Don’t get paralysed by the fear of everything that could go wrong.”

The natural effect

The 49-year-old went on to remark: “We used a lot of wood, rather than metal, to counterbalance the glass and to make sure the materials were in keeping with the building’s surroundings.”

He added: “We have let out our house about six times in the past two years at about �1,000 a day. It’s an unexpected supplemental income, certainly. But this is a family home first and was not built as a commercial venture. I loved building this house, I should have done it years ago.”

How we can help

If you’re on the lookout for timber to help you complete work on a property, whether it is your own home or you are carrying out the tasks on behalf of a customer, you’ll need to know you can trust your merchant.

We pride ourselves on the quality of our plywood sheets and so on and may well have exactly what you’re looking for. We supply companies and consumers alike and offer a vast range of timber-related products.

Accurate

We can cut sheet material to within 0.1mm and our boards go up to 5,400mm in length, 4,000mm in width and 90mm in thickness.

When you come to us for cut to size chipboard and so on, you can rest assured you’ll get exactly what you’re after.

August 24, 2012

Raised beds are ideal in small gardens

CNC Cutting,Sheets,Timber — Tags: , , — Booker Timber @ 10:07 am

It’s no wonder that demand for the timber used in raised beds is so high. These days, consumers are increasingly switching on to the benefits of these outdoor constructions. They are perfect for growing vegetables, herbs, fruit and so on and are easy to maintain.

Not only can g cultivating produce like this be rewarding, it can also save people money. The prices of fresh goods in supermarkets and smaller shops are rising and by becoming more self-sufficient, people can reduce their grocery bills. If you’re keen to invest in wood for this purpose, it’s important you find a timber merchant you can trust to offer you competitive prices and top-quality products.

Bijou gardens

Meanwhile, if your garden’s somewhat lacking in space, getting raised beds could be ideal. Recently, landscape architect Nilufer Danis suggested that these items are convenient and look great. He used raised beds in his display at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, Homes & Property reports.

Called Our First Home, Our First Garden, the creation had seating, raised beds and original sculpture, among other things. It won a gold medal and was identified as best in the category of low-cost, high-impact.

Expert advice

He remarked: “When creating a new garden, always settle on a budget first. With a little forward planning it is possible to create an aesthetic space without spending a lot of money.

“The point is to show how a young couple in a new home can make a great outdoor space on a small budget. This small space of 15ft by 25ft, there’s space for them to relax as well as entertain their friends. The planting is simple and easy to maintain, with evergreen shrubs and grasses among the flowers so the garden looks good all year round.”

We can help

If you’re on the lookout for raised beds, or cut to size plywood and other pieces of timber, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Booker Timber we provide many sizes of raised beds and they come in either kit form or assembled.

Our wood is the finest Scandinavian quality and it is properly treated by tannalisation against the elements, meaning it can stand the test of time. Also, the treatment gives wood a green colour that’s pleasing to the eye and it is safe for children and animals.

Your own style

Meanwhile, you might want to buy untreated timber as seen in the photos so that you can varnish or paint it a different colour to suit your own garden theme.

Raised beds can be perfect on rooftop gardens and city gardens and they are handy for wheelchair users and older people.

A clear conscience

Meanwhile, you don’t have to defy your conscience in order to take advantage of our superb products. Our timber is responsibly sourced. Indeed, we are Chain of Custody certified and can go out of our way to ensure that we obtain timber in the most sustainable way.

If you’re keen to find out more about what we have to offer, just take a look around the rest of our website.

August 10, 2012

Choosing the perfect timber for your home improvements

Cutting News,Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 8:53 am

If you’re on the lookout for cut to size chipboard or other types of timber for your DIY projects, you’ll no doubt want to source the right products at the right prices. By making sure you select the most suitable suppliers, you can help to control your costs while also ensuring you have the right materials for the job.

As long as you know where to look, you should find it easy to source the products you’re after.

Property conscious

There’s no denying the fact that UK consumers are house proud and figures produced by Everest Home Improvements drew attention to this issue. It revealed that more than eight in ten Brits polled wanted to change something about their abodes to make them better. In total, 82 per cent of respondents noted they’d like to enhance their abodes.

Meanwhile, 30 per cent stated they wanted to make the changes so that their properties would look nicer, while 16 per cent were focussing on making their houses or flats more energy efficient. Following this, 13 per cent of homeowners wanted to boost their standard of living and 11 per cent were eager to raise the value of their properties.

A gender divide

It seems as though when it comes to sourcing cut to size MDF and so on to enhance abodes, women may be leading the way. Whereas 85 per cent of female respondents said they wanted to make changes, only 76 per cent of the men questioned revealed a similar intention.

Location location location

Another factor that influenced the likelihood that people would want to improve homes was location. While 84 per cent of respondents from the Midlands and Wales wanted to invest in DIY projects like this, this figure fell to 80 per cent among respondents from the south of England. The proportion was even lower in Northern Ireland, where 75 per cent of people wanted to engage in changes.

Come to us Booker Timber

Here at Booker Timber we’re experts when it comes to MDF cutting and should have just what you need to help you get on with your DIY projects. We have a vast range of timber related products and you shouldn’t struggle to get just what you’re after at good value prices.

Accuracy is key

It’s frustrating if the wood you choose isn’t cut to the correct size. This can throw your project back and prevent you from achieving the best results. Thankfully, our wood is cut to an accuracy of within 0.1mm, meaning you can have total confidence in it.

To find out more about what we have to offer, just take a look around our website or get in touch with our friendly and helpful team. Meanwhile, if you’re keen to find out how much you would have to pay for your wood, you can fill in an online enquiry form.

Sourcing superb timber is well worth it

In order to make sure you benefit from the best results, it’s important you get the most suitable wood around. This can make DIY projects much easier and help you ensure your home is looking great.

July 16, 2012

No wonder decking is in vogue

Sheets,Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 8:50 am

If you’ve experienced an increase in demand among your customers for decking over recent months, you’re not alone. Lots of people around the UK are after products like this to help them make the most of their gardens. As long as you’re in touch with a reliable timber merchant, you shouldn’t struggle to process your orders.

It’s no surprise decking timber is highly sought after these days. After all, home and business owners are increasingly eager to make the most of their outdoor areas and special wooden spaces can help them do precisely this.

Also, decking and wooden shelters can help to make gardens more weatherproof. These days, pubs, hotels and so on need to cater for smokers who head outside come rain or shine for their nicotine fixes. Meanwhile, consumers are often reluctant to be chased in doors each time the heavens open.

This summer has been particularly stormy, highlighting the importance of sheltered outdoor areas. Wind and rain has persistently affected many areas around the UK, leading some people to suggest the country has experienced a ‘European monsoon’.

By taking advantage of decking and shelters, people can protect themselves from downpours.

If your firm’s on the lookout for wood to use in products like this, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Booker Timber we offer a range of different types of timber and should have just what you need.

Whether you’re after cut to size plywood, chipboard or anything else, we could be the perfect firm for you.

April 27, 2012

Timber supplier

Sheets,Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 9:00 am

So you’ve found your timber supplier, and got your list of what you need. Now it’s time to choose your wood. Take your time – and don’t forget your tape measure!

Use it to make sure the ends of the planks are the right size. Also check these for splits, and the direction of the growth rings. Check both sides for knots, and any twisting. Remember that bad knots could end up in your cut-offs.

Also check to see whether the wood is straight by looking down its length from one end. It should not be twisted or bowed. And look for any changes in grain that could have an effect on the finished job.

If you are pulling wood out from a pile, keep checking as you pull out. Don’t pull the timber out any further than you have to if you are not happy with it.

Obviously, if you are transporting the wood yourself, you will have to come prepared with rope, straps and a rag to put on the end of a long load so you can drive home in safety.

At Booker Timber, we have a wide range of high quality timber products, and state of the art CNC machinery together with powerful software so we can provide fast, accurate and efficient solutions to your panel requirements, wherever you are in the UK.

We can help whether you need mdf cutting or want to buy cut to size mdf, cut to size plywood or other types of wood. There’s more online.

February 26, 2012

Inspiring Youth in a Tough Jobs Market

Cutting News,Sheets,Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 9:02 am

According to the BBC, youth unemployment is a huge cause of concern in the current U.K financial climate. The recession has left a “legacy” of young unemployed people due to most companies streamlining staff and keeping on more experienced employees.
The BBC recruited economics experts to predict the future of such a “lost generation” in terms of future economic success as a nation and in individual terms. Looking back to past recessions, experts were quick to point out that the phrase “lost generation” doesn’t suit the long-term effects of youth unemployment. They pointed out that historically speaking, by the time the current youth hit forty-years-old, around one in five will still bear the scars of youth unemployment in the form of lower wages and less realised career aspirations.
We don’t just focus on sheet cutting and timber ethics here at Booker Timber HQ. We keep a pulse on everything from the latest developments in MDF sheets to the current coalition government’s stance on Health & Safety in our industry. Youth unemployment and the future of the U.K economy is something we follow with daily interest. We believe training and development are the way to make sure the next generations are prepared for their working lives.
In our industry, we stick steadfastly to the moral that peer training and skill development are the key to keeping the next generation in employment, whether that’s overseeing cut to size MDF or developing better eco-practices in our timber yard.

February 16, 2012

Experts in Product Advice – MFC

Sheets,Timber — Tags: , , — Booker Timber @ 9:00 am

The lion’s share of our client base is made up of returning customers and experienced professionals who love our exceptional service. But we know not all clients arrive on our website or at our timber merchant yard with a clear idea of the best products for the job etc. We’re happy to offer as much advice as we can. Saving you money, time and effort is what our welcoming company is all about!
So today, let’s say you’re a layman visiting us for a little information on the best products for the interior of your new small business. Maybe you’re a bookshop, a marketing company, a gadget shop or an electronics firm? In our experience, there’s one material that will offer you the most cost effective, safe solution – melamine faced chipboard (MFC)
MFC is an engineered wood product made using wood off-cuts set with a resin to form a sturdy base around which a shell of melamine veneer is fixed. MFC is typically a superb alternative where exceptional strength, durability, low cost and dexterous style are key considerations. It’s also a fairly lightweight standard compared to its strength, which is why things like shelving are typically made from MFC.
We can precisely cut to size chipboard and various other veneered chipboard product options like MFC. Veneer options include ash, beech, pine, red oak, white oak, maple, cherry, mahogany, walnut, teak, koto, sycamore, chestnut and birch.
If you’re a layman in need of sensible, expert advice, get in touch today on 0333 123 1290 or use the Contact Us tool on the right of our homepage.

January 23, 2012

High Quality Products and Services

Sheets,Timber — Tags: , , — Booker Timber @ 9:57 am

Regardless of whether you are a professional tradesman or an amateur DIY enthusiast, you will always want to make sure that your building project or DIY task is completed as successfully as possible. One of the most effective ways of ensuring this is to source important materials such as timber from experienced merchants who have an established reputation for delivering high-quality products and services.

Happily, we here at Booker Timber are one such merchant that provides timber of the very highest quality and cutting services that are second to none. Our CNC beam saws are amongst the largest of their kind in the UK and have the capacity to process large volumes of timber at any one time. Along with state-of-the-art software and highly trained operators, these incredibly accurate saws enable us to really make the most of each sheet cutting so that we can produce results of all shapes and sizes.

Whether you require cut-to-size MDF, chipboard or something a little more substantial; we can provide you with timber that is not only high in quality but also which has been sourced in the most environmentally-friendly ways. Indeed, we are very conscious of our environmental responsibilities and continually strive to do our industry proud by sourcing sustainable materials, reducing waste and actively recycling wherever we can.

To find out more about our wide range of outstanding products and services; explore our pages further or call one of our friendly advisors on 0333 123 1290.

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