Did you know there are two types of softwood timber used extensively to make the UK’s outdoor picnic tables?
1. Pine, commonly referred to as “Redwood”
2. Spruce, commonly referred to as “Whitewood”
They look similar, and carry some similar properties, but subtle differences make redwood distinctly better for producing fine quality outdoor furniture.
Here’s some key differences:
Seasoning
Before your furniture arrives it has been seasoned. Both redwood and whitewood season well, but whitewood is more likely to distort.
Fixings
Redwood takes fixings well, whereas whitewood takes them only satisfactorily.
Common uses
Redwood is used for all kinds of construction work, with better grades being employed for furniture. In contrast, whitewood is commonly used for boxes, crates or carcassing with a lot going into the manufacture of pulp and paper.
Both species grow throughout Europe, but generally speaking, the further north the timber is grown, the slower the growth. Slow-grown timber is denser and better for joinery and furniture, so Woodberry source their softwood timber from the northerly European regions of Scandinavia to ensure you get only the best quality.You can check out our range of quality picnic tables on our website which are made using FSC® certified redwood timber and treated in Woodberry’s unique spirit-based immersion treatment for maximum lifespan. Guaranteed to last for years in busy commercial environments.
Interested? Get in touch with our friendly, helpful team on 01926 889922.
SOURCE: Taken from: The Handbook of Softwoods 2nd edition, 1977