LJN Blog Posts

Most customers at McVeigh Parker spend time deciding what specification of wire to buy and what labour to use when planning their fence requirements. Whilst this tends to form the main expenditure of their project, the timber stakes are an afterthought with their cost usually the main issue prior to purchasing. Stakes are as important if not more important to the longevity of the fence and time should be taken to fully consider the options available before commencing. This very competitive market has numerous variants and knowing exactly what they are is complex. We have listed some of the options available to you with a brief description on their make up and their expected longevity, which we believe will help you avoid the disappointment of having to prematurely replace your fence. Ideally any timber in ground contact needs to have the very best form of treatment, where as rails (out of ground contact) do not need treatment to the same degree. Cleft, although rustic looking, is the strongest form of fencing as it is taken from the natural grain of the timber. However market demands and price dictate that peeled, machine full round, half round and sawn timbers are the preferred options in both stakes and rails.


Merchantable Quality

Treatment may vary, dependant on Winter cut or Summer cut timber, and these tend to be air dried to a moisture content of 28% or below, then treated to European legislation Class 4. However it is important to note that the moisture content reading is formed from an average selection of the products to be treated. Only Kiln-dried products can guarantee moisture content of 28% or below. A merchantable quality is a mixed species of white or redwood selected and treated to the above principles. Whilst every care is taken to comply with the class 4 regulations, without the costly exercise of Kiln Drying it is not possible to offer a guarantee on longevity of this product. The new EEC regulations have taken out arsenic from the treatment and chrome is currently under investigation. However, new chemicals have been introduced that are safer, and under the correct application are still able to satisfy the Class 4 regulation. Due to market demands and competitive pressures this type of timber tends to be price sensitive and although will suit most situations, any
doubt to its longevity or application then Class 4 Kiln dried should be purchased.

Appearance: A straight timber with a peeled semi-rough surface or sawn finish, light green in colour.
Source: Home grown and imported.


Class 4, Kiln Dried Redwood

Timber kiln dried to a moisture content of less than 28%. Selected redwood are used and pressure treated in accordance with the European regulations.

Kiln drying the timber prior to treatment is essential; it enables the treatment plant to monitor all aspects of the treatment process including the essential moisture content prior to the fixation process. This form of treatment carries a desired life expectancy similar to that of the Highways specification and should give a service life in excess of 15 to 20 years. This is a more recognized form of quality, selected kiln dried timber, then a controlled treatment process providing the ideal in-ground post products to give you a durable, long lasting fence.

Appearance: A straight timber with a peeled semi-rough surface or sawn finish, light green in colour.
Source: Home grown and imported.

Creosoted Pressure Treated

Selected suitable softwoods, dried then pressure creosoted, this age old process has long been the choice of many orchards and equestrian establishments. The life expectancy of these exceeds 20 years.

Appearance: A straight timber with a peeled semi-rough surface or sawn finish, dark brown in colour.
Source: Home grown and imported.



Chestnut Timber

English coppiced woodlands provide an annual source of fencing timbers. Chestnut coppiced in the winter will give the longest life, ideally sitting for a year then tar dipped; however, todays are cut green then used. The life expectancy of green chestnut exceeds 10 years.

Appearance: A semi-rough surface in cleft or sawn rustic appearance, irregular and sometimes deformed looking with a light golden colour appearance when new fading to a silvery grey.
Source: English home grown.

FSC and PEFC timber is also available from McVeigh Parker Fencing, Farming and Equestrian Supplies.