Groundworker looking for advice!

[fred_j]

Little bit about us, we do groundworks (footings, drainage, landscaping etc) and seem to have more and more landscaping as well. Retaining walls, fencing, decking etc. I don't mind at all as it varies the work. We are not chippies or carpenters by any means but can do a good true deck or fence no problem.

We have been asked a couple times to put up this new fashion redwood batten fencing like the photo below. Building this isnt a problem but I cant seem to source the timber from our builder merchants for anything other than astronomical prices.

I am looking for your advice on this, would we be better looking at purchasing it in larger sizes say 12 x 2 lengths and then ripping it down ourselves somehow ? Are there althernative woods to look at that would give a near enough effect ? Any suppliers or sawmills around the cheltenham / stratford area that would be a good source ?

thanks!

Fred

 

[Billy_wizz]

Quality ceder logs cost sawmills a premium and the stringy bark means that high speed mills don't really like it! Larch or Douglas would be a good option but again high quality logs of these types can again be sold for a premium! Your best bet would be finding a small mill that uses fencing grade timber as it's usually cheaper but we still get some top grade come in but in small volumes that wasn't worth separating you will have more wastage due to knots but should be offset by the cost difference

 

[Jameshow]

You should be able to find a mill to the west of you.

Cheers James

 

[shed9]

There are a lot of one man saw mill operators these days, especially with COVID causing and enabling a lot of career changes. Check your local FB marketplace and Gumtree as well.

 

[RobinBHM]

Building this isnt a problem but I cant seem to source the timber from our builder merchants for anything other than astronomical prices.

You need to go to a specialist softwood merchant.

Silva timber -they do slatted screen cedar battens
https://www.silvatimber.co.uk/western-red-cedar-slatted-screen-battens
or siberian larch
https://www.silvatimber.co.uk/silvalarchtm-siberian-larch-slatted-screen-boards

or try this company:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Siberian...295385?hash=item3dae101819:g:k2sAAOSw65FbYdmA

 

[fred_j]

Thanks for the replies.

are those the same as redwood in colour and finish ?

 

[Sean Hellman]

Remember that all wood will go grey with age. The woods will be either western red cedar (which is not a cedar) or sequoias, either will work.

 

[OrangeFive]

Western red cedar is unfortunately very expensive and you will probably find that when you tell most clients the price they will change their mind and want it making out of something different.
try these -Spahaus Timber | High Grade Cedar, Larch & Speciality Timber Merchant
I have used them several times.