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September 23, 2013

The ‘Australian Summer’

Timber — Booker Timber @ 3:55 pm

It is fair to say that we have enjoyed quite a unique summer in the UK this year. Indeed, some people have labelled the summer of 2013 as being the ‘Australian Summer’ as Britain didn’t just bask in soaring temperatures; it also basked in supreme Aussie-like sporting success. Along with great performances by the British and Irish Lions rugby team, the England cricket team and Chris Froome in the Tour De France; who could forget that magical moment when Andy Murray won Wimbledon in the searing heat back in early July?

The label of ‘Australian summer’ is actually quite apt when you think about it as the consistency of the hot weather gave many of us Brits the chance to enjoy our outdoor spaces in the way that many Australians take for granted. For sure, millions of residents took full advantage of the hot weather by using their gardens as outdoor rooms rather than merely somewhere to play Swingball and burn meat for fleeting periods.

Savvy residents who took the time to listen to the Met Office’s predictions invested in things like timber decking, outdoor furniture and wall mounted canopies as these highly functional additions enabled them to effectively decamp into their gardens and comfortably enjoy the fine weather for much longer periods of time than they normally would.

If you’re in the business of supplying things like wooden decking to the general public then you will certainly have noticed the effects of this Australian summer for yourself. Indeed, you may well already think of the summer of 2013 as being one of the most memorable summers in your trading history!

However, it could be that there is still more to come.

The reason for this is that, although the summer holidays are at an end, the legacy of the summer carries on. Quite simply, many people in Britain have ‘seen the light’ with regard to outdoor rooms and as such they are looking to make the most of outdoor living much more. Indeed, there are lots of residents now who are not only keen to invest in decking and furniture to help them enjoy an nice al-fresco autumn but also to get in early for the good weather when it comes round again (hopefully) next year.

Of course, if you’re going to be able to meet this increase in consumer demand then you will need to ensure you are set up to source high quality timber from a timber merchant you can really rely on. Fortunately we here at Booker Timber fit the bill perfectly in this respect as we are widely regarded as being one of the finest suppliers of top of the range timber in the UK. As well as supplying the very best of everything from of cut to size chipboard and plywood sheets, we also provide exemplary cutting services too. Indeed, we are able to cut to within 0.1mm accuracy so you can have complete confidence in the dimensions of the wood you source from us.

September 13, 2013

Sourcing High Quality Timber For Self Build Home Extensions

Timber — Booker Timber @ 3:51 pm

Whilst there have been some signs that things are getting better, it is fair to say the UK property market is still far from rosy at the moment. Indeed, most homeowners these days are of a mindset that staying put in their current abode makes more sense than trying to find a new place.

You may be one of them

However, whilst this strategy may make sense financially, it can be problematic when space is an issue. Young families and parents-to-be are most likely to be affected by this as they invariably need more living space to accommodate their children as they grow.

So what is the answer?

Well, many more homeowners are now deciding that – as moving is not an option – extending their home is the best way forward. There are three main reasons why extensions are particularly good options:

  • They can be built to exact specifications so residents can be sure they will get all the extra space they need;
  • They enable homeowners to avoid all the hassle that goes with relocating to a new home i.e. moving furniture, sorting out new schools for kids, re-mortgaging, etc;
  • They can be built by homeowners who are suitably skilled or who are fortunate enough to have friends in the trades.

So, if you’re at a stage in your life where living space is at a premium yet moving home is not an option, building an extension of your own may well be the way to go.

If you decide to go down the self-build route then you will need to find a reliable timber merchant that is capable of supplying you with high quality wood to form the basis of your build. Working with poor quality wood or having to wait around for ages to get your hands on the materials you need is of course likely to be detrimental to any project so it is vital you locate a supplier that will meet your needs entirely.

Fortunately for you, you have already come to the right place as we here at Booker Timber specialise in providing superb quality cut-to-size timber to public and trade customers at truly competitive prices. Indeed, the quality of our plywood sheets and associated offerings really is second to none so you can rest assured any items you source from us will be of the very highest standards.

And it’s not just in terms of quality where we excel; we also lead the field when it comes to cutting too. To be sure, we are able to 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; therefore you can rest assured your requests for cut to size chipboard – or anything else for that matter – will turn out exactly as you need them to be – perfect.

To find out more simply take a few moments to browse our pages further.

August 22, 2013

Quality timber as and when you need it

Timber — Booker Timber @ 1:47 pm

When you source products for your business, whether you’re after cut to size MDF, plywood sheets or anything else, you’ll want to know you’re getting the very best. After all, you’re spending your hard-earned money on the resources, so it’s important that they meet your expectations.

Here at Booker Timber we’re aware of the importance of offering top-quality wood that is accurately cut and we might have just what you’re looking for.

Rising demand

It seems as though demand for timber may be up among small businesses in the UK. According to figures provided by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), confidence is high among such organisations and many are planning to expand.

During periods of growth, having quick and reliable access to accurately cut timber can be particularly important.

Some stats

The FSB revealed that during the second quarter of 2013, its Small Business Index, which measures confidence, hit 15.9 points. This was the second highest reading since the index began in 2010. Small manufacturers were among the businesses feeling more optimistic about their prospects, suggesting conditions within the sector are improving.

Meanwhile, more firms expect turnover to increase during the third quarter of 2013 and more companies anticipate growth in the coming year. It was also noted that a larger number of enterprises expect to increase staffing levels over coming months. Export growth is expected to pick up this quarter too.

The right direction

Responding to the figures, FSB national chairman John Allan said: “After five consecutive quarters of year-on-year growth, confidence is moving in the right direction. Small firms want to employ more people and grow their business. They want to export and expect turnover levels to increase. This is all good news.”

However, in a note of caution, he added: “We know inflation is likely to remain high for the coming 12 months, largely due to rising energy costs. This is why reform of the sector is so important and why it must provide transparency for small firms to choose the best tariff for them.”

Peace of mind

If you’re firm is enjoying a period of growth, you’ll no doubt be thrilled. However, let’s face it, dealing with more orders and an expanding business isn’t easy. There are plenty of logistical issues to contend with and you might often feel as though there simply aren’t enough hours in the day.

This is why it’s so important to find reliable suppliers to provide you with the resources you need when you need them. If you come to us for your timber, you can rest assured you’ll benefit from top-quality and precisely cut wood that ticks all of your boxes. This means you’ll be able to enjoy peace of mind over this particular issue.

Find out more

If you’d like to find out more about our sheet cutting services, just take a look around our website or get in touch with our friendly and professional team by phone or email. We’re on hand to answer any queries you may have.

August 6, 2013

Planning DIY projects

Uncategorized — Booker Timber @ 1:43 pm

If you’re in search of timber for a DIY project, you’ve come to the right place. Here at Booker Timber we offer cut to size chipboard, MDF sheets and much more.

However, successfully completing home and garden improvements requires more than simply getting your hands on the necessary timber. To achieve the best results, it’s important to follow some basic principles.

Set a budget

For example, it’s a good idea to set a spending limit at the start of your project. This will help ensure you don’t end up splashing too much cash. By costing the various materials, tools and other resources you’ll need, you’ll know what’s possible.

The good news is, as long as you’re savvy concerning where you source the products from, you should be able to benefit from impressive deals, meaning your budget may stretch further than you think.

Have everything to hand

Also, before you get started on the task, make sure you have all your materials and equipment to hand. DIY projects can be messy and so the last thing you’ll want is to leave them half-finished while you wait for items to arrive.

Meanwhile, getting all the resources you need from the outset means you won’t be tempted to improvise using unsuitable tools or materials. Ultimately, this will help ensure the standard of your work is higher.

Quality

The quality of the supplies you choose will have a major impact on the finished results too. For example, if you use us as your timber merchant, you can rest assured you’ll get exactly what you order. We cut timber to an accuracy of within 0.1mm, meaning you won’t have to waste your time adjusting the wood you receive.

Know your limits

When it comes to any home or garden improvements, know your limits. If you are overly ambitious and attempt tasks that exceed your skills and experience, all sorts of problems can arise. At best, the end results will be substandard and at worst, you risk doing damage to your property and even to yourself.

There’s no shame in bringing in the experts to complete more complex tasks and this could save you a lot of stress and hassle.

Don’t let it drag on

Life these days is hectic and it’s all too easy to start DIY projects and then get distracted and let them drag on and on. Living among unfinished home improvements can be stressful and it may lead to arguments with your loved ones.

To avoid these issues, set yourself a timeframe to complete the task in. It helps if you break the project down into sections. This way you’ll get an accurate idea of what you can achieve and how quickly you can do it.

Take a look

If you’re interested in the timber we have to offer, just take a look around the rest of our website. We sell an impressive variety of materials and our cutting services are second to none. With us as your timber merchant, you should find your DIY project that bit easier.

July 8, 2013

Everything You Need To Know About Our Products & Services Here At Booker Timber

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

As one of the UK’s leading timber merchants, we here at Booker Timber know how hard it can be for individuals to find good quality timber AND bespoke sheet cutting of the highest order. If you yourself are looking to source these vital ingredients for your own projects then you will be pleased to learn that you have now found a supplier that is able to provide you with essential products and services of the very highest order.

Indeed, we here at Booker Timber don’t just have unrivalled experience regarding all aspects of medium density fibreboard (MDF) cutting and sheet cutting; we also have high-end technology machinery which enables us to carry out computer numerically controlled (CNC) cutting and routing for all manner of small and large orders.

Cutting & Routing

CNC cutting and routing are two of our most versatile services. In essence, these supremely accurate cutting options rely on automated engineering tools and cutting equipment which are fed with specific pieces of information. Because these cutting services operate at such phenomenal speeds, we are able to deliver high quality results while all the while maintaining very competitive prices. Moreover, the fact that we have some of the biggest beam saws in the UK means that we can work with sheets up to six metres long and nearly four metres wide! Plywood, plastic and MDF are some of the most common materials that we make use of in this way.

A Little More About MDF

MDF is an engineered wood which is made by breaking down elements of hardwood and softwood into fibres and then mixing it with wax and resin to bind it together. MDF sheets and panels are created by applying high temperatures and pressure. Because it is denser than plywood and contains no knots or similar impurities, MDF is a very widely used material in the building industry. Moreover, the internal structure of cut-to-size MDF allows it to withstand heat and moisture without distorting (unlike hardboard). As well as being highly valued in the building trade, the overall versatility and functionality of MDF makes it very much the material of choice for engineers who need to make cheap prototypes of inventions.

You will not be surprised to hear that we here at Booker Timber have the equipment, expertise and experience required to cut MDF with extreme accuracy. To be sure, our computer equipment is able to work with sheets up to 90mm thick.

A Word on the Environment

We are of course living in an age where we all have to consider the effects of our actions on the environment at large. As a merchant we are completely aware of the responsible of sourcing raw materials and that is why we have endeavoured to obtain Chain of Custody certification, as this shows customers that they can use our services without fear of contributing to the destruction of the planet’s natural forests.

July 2, 2013

Aspects To Consider When Selecting Suitable Timber

MDF,Sheets — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 9:14 am

Regardless of whether you’re after wood for industrial, trade or personal needs it is vital to remember that selecting suitable timber is of the utmost importance. Indeed, it is fair to say that any building project or DIY task can be jeopardised completely if you rush into your purchasing decision and buy wood which turns out to be unsuitable.

Therefore you may like to bear the following aspects in mind:

‘Horses for Courses’

The first thing you need to consider when selecting a type of wood is what you will be using it for. Think about it: will your chosen timber be used for a construction build, a carpentry project, a prototype build or merely as an ingredient for a bit of DIY? Considering how it will be used will help you to determine the species of wood you’ll need, so make sure you ascertain which wood will live up to your expectations beforehand.

Know about ‘Drying’

Knowing a bit about ‘drying’ will enable you to make a more informed decision when selecting timber. The main thing you need to remember is that air dried wood is better for working by hand (although it is sometimes the case that it has a higher moisture content than kiln-dried timbers). Whilst this may not seem overly important in the grand scheme of things, knowing about the drying method of timber can make all the difference to the usability and ease of handling.

Make the Grade

As you will most probably know, woods come in a variety of different grades (the grade being indicative of the quality). In general, higher grades of timber have fewer knots and are a lot clearer, while lower grades feature more knots (although this can be a good thing if you are looking for wood that has character). The ‘horses for courses’ approach will once again be beneficial when it comes to choosing a suitable grade for your needs.

Eco-Friendly?

Like many other consumers these days, you may well be concerned about the environment and whether or not your choice of wood will contribute in any way to global deforestation. With this in mind you will want to ensure the timber you source comes complete with full environmental certification. Therefore you should only do business with a timber merchant that is fully Chain of Custody certified, as this will give you peace of mind that you’re getting your wood from truly renewable and responsible sources.

These are just a few of the aspects you need to consider when selecting wood to suit your particular job. Fortunately you can address all of these considerations (and many more besides) quite comprehensively when you come to us here at Booker Timber as we are able to provide customers in every field and industry with timber, plywood sheets and cut-to-size MDF to suit any and all needs.

To find out more and take advantage of our expert advice either browse our pages further or call 0333 123 1290.

June 24, 2013

Timber cutting services you can rely on

Sheets,Timber — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 9:42 am

It’s often said that only a bad workman blames his tools, but this isn’t strictly true. If you’re about to embark on a building project, whether it’s a small-scale DIY job or a major commercial operation, it’s vital that you have all the equipment and materials you need.

For example, if you fail to get hold of the right plywood sheets and any other wood you need, you progress might be thwarted. Trying to make do without certain materials or with substandard versions can get you into serious difficulty.

Past frustrations

In the past, you’re bound to have encountered scenarios like this. Perhaps you ordered certain lengths and styles of timber only to receive something different, or maybe you under-estimated the amount of wood you required.

Whatever the cause of your lack of suitable timber, this might have been really frustrating. It’s impossible to demonstrate your skill and achieve the results you’re aiming for when you’re lacking vital building elements.

Looking forward

However, these problems could now be a thing of the past. Here at Booker Timber we know how important it is for our customers to access top-quality wood in the right quantities and cut to the perfect dimensions. As a timber merchant, we go out of our way to offer products that conform to all these criteria.

If you come to us to get hold of your building materials, you can rest assured they’ll be of the very highest standard. As well as helping to ensure your construction project goes according to plan, this can also give you peace of mind.

The best facilities

Our CNC beam saws are amongst the largest in the UK, allowing us to handle and cut sheets up to six metres long and four metres wide, with board thicknesses of up to 90mm. Meanwhile, thanks to the quality and precision of our equipment, and the skill of our operators, we can cut to within 0.1mm accuracy.

It’s worth noting that we deal with all of the following products:

  • MDF
  • Chipboard
  • Plywood
  • OSB (orientated strand board)
  • Hardboard
  • MFC (melamine faced chipboard)

We can even cut plasterboard and most types of plastic panels.

Saving you cash

Of course, cost is likely to be a major issue in your build project. Whether you’re making something for your own home or on behalf of a paying client, it’s important that you keep your expenses down to a minimum.

With this in mind, you might be pleased to note that our optimisation software will calculate the most efficient way to cut the boards where different sizes are required. This helps to reduce waste and minimise the number of boards needed.

The full low down

If you’re intrigued by our offerings and want to find out more, just take a look around the rest of our website or get in touch with our friendly and professional team. Sourcing the perfect cut to size MDF and other timbers is easy when you come to us. Ultimately, this may help ensure your building projects are a big success.

June 10, 2013

Getting the perfect timber for your construction projects

Sheets — Tags: , — Booker Timber @ 9:30 am

If you’re involved in any form of construction project, you’ll know how important it is to source the right materials. Completing building work is hard enough without having to deal with complications caused by a lack of resources.

The good news is, as long as you know where to look, it’s now easy to get your hands on superb construction supplies. For example, here at Booker Timber we offer an impressive range of timbers, including cut to size chipboard and much more. If you’re on the lookout for good quality, accurately cut and shaped wood, we’re the go-to provider.

Demand on the rise?

It seems as though demand for resources like this may be on the rise among construction firms in the UK. According to recent figures, activity in the sector is picking up.

The Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 49.4 in April from 47.2 in March. Although this was slightly below the 50 level that divides growth from contraction, it was well above economists’ expectations of 48.

Also, Markit stated that employment levels were “broadly stable” in April and added that a rise in optimism about the year ahead helped to steady overall staffing levels. Of course, if conditions continue to improve within the industry, more personnel may be taken on.

A bounce back

Responding to the findings, senior economist at Markit Tim Moore stated that the industry bounced back following the disruption to work caused by freezing weather earlier in 2013. He added that higher levels of residential house building also contributed to the increase in activity.

The expert went on to note: “UK construction sector output was closer to stabilisation than at any time since October 2012. The overall survey findings are an early indication that construction will act as less of a drag on UK GDP over the second quarter of 2013.”

Caution

Adding a note of caution however, senior economist at IHS Global Insight Howard Archer said: “The sector undeniably still faces significant headwinds, notably including limited public investment and spending, a still weak economy, comparatively limited housing market activity and problems in getting funding for large-scale projects.

“The construction sector will be fervently hoping that both the economy and the housing market see sustained improvement over the coming months, even if only limited, and that this stimulates building work.”

Make your life easier

If you’re firm needs timber for a construction project, whether it’s large or small, you’ve come to the right place. By taking a look around our website, you can see all the various products we have to offer and you should be able to find exactly what you’re after.

We cut timber to an accuracy of within 0.1mm and can handle sheets up to six metres long, four metres wide and 90mm thick.

Our sheet cutting, routering and machining services could help make your life that little bit easier, and you might be pleasantly surprised by our competitive prices. When it comes to cut to size plywood and other timbers, you can see us as your one-stop-shop.

May 20, 2013

How to Ensure your Business Capitalises on British People’s Passion for Wooden Garden Products

Timber — Booker Timber @ 9:22 am

If you are in the business of selling wooden garden products then you will not have failed to notice that interest in these items has risen significantly over the last decade or so. Indeed, it is now very common for residential gardens and outdoor areas to feature an array of things like raised beds and decking, as well as sheds and other outdoor buildings.

Of course, this increased interest in wooden products should really come as no surprise. After all, residents in the UK have always been keen to get optimum usage out of their gardens and investing in things like wooden furniture, ornamental beds and decking enables them to achieve this. Items like this can also be highly functional too as they can make outdoor spaces far easier to maintain. Naturally, this can be a boon for house-proud residents who don’t have much time to spare as they can rest assured their garden will always be ready to enjoy whenever they do get a spare moment to appreciate it.

From your point of view, this gentle and consistent surge of interest is naturally a very welcome phenomenon. After all, the greater demand there is for your products, the more your business will profit. However, your business will only be able to capitalise on this market fully if you are able to consistently produce enough high quality wooden garden products to meet demand.

Quite simply, you won’t make much of a profit if you don’t have the products available – and you won’t have the products available if you don’t have access to timber merchants that are able to provide high quality wood.

So, the situation really is very clear: if you want to make the most of the nation’s passion for wooden garden products then you need to make sure you source your timber from the best timber merchants in the business

And that is where we here at Booker Timber come in.

As one of the UK’s most highly regarded timber merchant operations, we here at Booker Timber are leading experts when it comes to wood and wood cutting services. We appreciate that vendors like yourself don’t just need the finest woods available to manufacture your wares; you also need that wood to be cut to your exact specifications. We cut to within 0.1mm accuracy; therefore you can be sure that the dimensions of the wood you source from us will be 100 per cent ‘on the money’. We also have some of the some of the largest beam saws in the country so you really can rest assured that – when it comes to accurate chipboard, MDF or plywood cutting – our services are unrivalled.

And that’s not all.

All of our products and services offer unparalleled value for money; therefore you can not only look forward to getting the best high quality timber available – you can also save your business money as well!

May 6, 2013

How to Source the Finest Cut Timber to Complete your Overdue DIY Projects

Sheets — Booker Timber @ 9:21 am

Now is the time of year when all of the DIY jobs you put off doing over the winter suddenly become viable again. Indeed, the longer evenings and milder temperatures now make it something of a pleasure to get outside and take on those building projects that have been gathering dust for too long.

Of course, any project you undertake that requires cut-to-size timber will invariably involve sourcing wood from your local timber merchant. After all, accurate measurements are of paramount importance when it comes to making constructions out of wood and so you will want to ensure the wood you use will be cut to your exact specifications.

However, it is a sad fact that not all timber merchants are made equal so there is no guarantee that your local merchant will be able to cut your wood exactly how you want it cutting. Certainly there are few things more demoralising to a DIY project than getting your materials home only to find that they need cutting again or – even worse – are simply unusable.

Fortunately, this is not an issue that you need to worry about when you come to us here at Booker Timber.

So what’s so special about Booker Timber then?

Well, we believe there are a number of things which make us stand out from the crowd. For instance, we don’t just have the very latest CNC machinery; we also have the finest state-of-the-art software to go with it; therefore we are able to deliver accurate and efficient cutting solutions in no time at all. Another thing which makes us stand out from the crowd is the fact that Our CNC Beam saws are amongst the largest of their kind in the entire country. Indeed, we have the capability (and the skill) to cut sheets up to six metres long and four metres wide, with board thicknesses of up to 90mm – all to within 0.1mm accuracy.

Now that’s pretty special!

And it’s not just in terms of precision and cutting ability where we stand out from the crowd; it’s also in our impressive variety too. To be sure, the range of materials and services we offer really is very comprehensive as we can cut or router chipboard, plywood, orientated strand board, hardboard and MDF sheets with consummate ease. Furthermore, our saws can also be configured to cut plasterboard as well as most types of plastic panels so it is far to say that we really are a ‘one-stop shop’ when it comes to getting materials cut for any and all types of DIY projects.

So, if you want to make sure the timber your source for your overdue DIY projects is cut to your exact specifications, look no further than us here at Booker Timber.

To find out more, simply take a look around our website or get in touch with our friendly and helpful customer advisors by phone or email.

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