Monthly Archives: April 2026

Top-rated Power Tools for Cutting and Shaping Timber

Posted: April 30, 2026

What is Tanalised Timber and How is It Made?

Posted: April 30, 2026

Have you ever purchased timber with a green tinge? That means you’ve already bought tanalised timber, which is wood pressure-treated with Tanalith E, a preservative forcing protective chemicals deep into the grain to guard against rot, insects, and fungi.

It’s a brilliant choice for outdoor timber in the UK. Here’s why in a bit more detail…

What is Tanalised Timber?

Tanalised timber is softwood that has been treated to extend its lifespan outdoors; typically, the specific softwood is Scots pine or spruce.

When untreated timber is exposed to the Midlands' weather conditions, it will typically rot within a few years. Tanalised timber can last for decades.

It gets its name from Tanalith E, the preservative used in the process; it’s a copper-based compound that binds to the wood fibres and creates a hostile environment for the fungi and insects that can decay the wood.

Ever wondered what that green you see on fencing, decking, and structural posts is? That’s the Tanalith E, a.k.a the reason

What Is Sawn Carcassing Timber and What Is It Used For?

Posted: April 30, 2026

Sawn carcassing timber is rough-sawn structural softwood sold in nominal sizes, used as the hidden framework of buildings. Think roof rafters, floor joists, stud walls, and general structural framing. It's one of the most widely used materials on any UK building site, yet it's rarely seen in the finished structure because it lives behind plasterboard, under floorboards, and within roof voids.

Unlike finished timber products, carcassing isn't planed or smoothed. It comes straight from the sawmill with a rough surface and slight variation in dimensions. That's completely fine for East Midlands structural applications where the timber is concealed, because aesthetics don't matter here, strength and reliability do.

How Is It Different From Regularised Timber and PSE?

It helps to understand where sawn carcassing sits alongside other timber types:

Sawn Carcassing

Rough-sawn, sold to nominal dimensions (e.g. 47x150mm), with slight size variation between pieces. The go-to for most structural