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Notes from a temperate hardwood specialist supplier

19 November 2009

European Oak Hardwood Timber makes its place in the hardwood flooring market.

Smee Timber have specialised in the procurement and distribution of European oak for the better part of 30 years. To a large degree their success has been born out of making hardwood timbers available in a wide variety of species. Although they stock and supply over 60 species of tropical and temperate hardwoods including a range of clear grade softwoods, European oak has always been and still is a star player in the market.

Few would disagree that European oak timber has secured its place in the hardwood hall of fame. So what is it that sets European oak apart from the rest? Smee are of the opinion that its appeal stems from its reliability and versatility. European oak or Quercus robur to give it its Latin name is durable, aesthetically pleasing, versatile and its quality can be relied on. In short, it’s a friend you can depend on to do a good job at a reasonable price.

European oak is a durable hardwood that resists decay. Its durability is testified by the many 15th century Tudor dwellings that still stand. European Oaks' strength and resistance to decay heavily influenced its selection all those years ago. It is these qualities and its aesthetic appeal that ensure its continued popularity as a constructional hardwood timber these days.

European Oaks' aesthetic attractiveness is perhaps the timber’s most famous attribute, but what is it about its looks, that has sustained its popularity with carpenters and joiners over the centuries? Part of the answer lies in the different results that can be produced from the way it is sawn. European oak when log sawn through and through, produces timber that has little colour variation.

Generally a furniture maker does not want any colour variation in the pieces they produce, however European oak when quarter sawn produces a more exotic looking hardwood. This versatility means that the limits of creativity are only really capped by the imagination. Not only is European Oak durable and attractive, it is also ideal for a range of jobs. European Oak offers a variety of internal and external uses.

It is used in many areas from marine timbers to solid hardwood flooring; from furniture to constructional beams. Due to this versatility, sales of European Oak have held their ground even during global economic turmoil. These days, with the ever growing expectations that choice should be a right and not a luxury, we offer a wide selection of hardwood timber species.

Even with this breadth of selection, European Oak remains a hugely popular choice. Ultimately this success, in large part, can be attributed to the reliable quality you receive at a comparatively excellent price. In short, European Oaks' continued popularity over the centuries is down to its dependability, versatility and availability. 

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