FSC Certified timber - the sustainable construction solution

The impact that the building and construction trade has on the environment is becoming more and more of a concern as we become increasingly aware of the pressures that society can have on the world we live in. Silva Timber understand the impact that forestry has on the environment and ensures that all of our timber is legally sourced from well managed forests, protecting both biodiversity and the indigenous people's rights.

Increasingly, customers are specifying sustainable products due to ethical and environmental concerns, Silva Timber are committed to the pursuit of best practice in the sourcing of our timber. By specifying sustainable timber such as decking, wall cladding or roofing shingles, homeowners can help make their home less carbon reliant, enhance energy efficiency and help protect the natural environment.

Supported by leading environmental & social organisations including WWF, Greenpeace & Nature Conservancy, one way to guarantee the safeguarding of our forests is to specify FSC Certified timber for construction projects and builds wherever possible.

We're proud of our links with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and are pleased that a host of our timber products are available with FSC Certification.


The FSC label provides a credible link between responsible production and consumption of forest products, enabling consumers and businesses to make purchasing decisions that benefit people and the environment as well as providing ongoing business value.

FSC is the fastest growing certification system in the world, with 280 million acres of FSC forests now worldwide.

One of the underlying principles for FSC Certification is to reduce the environmental impact of logging activities and maintenance of the ecological functions and integrity of the forest. By specifying FSC timber, customers help protect the natural forests for the future, providing continuous, sustainable timber supplies.

Not only does FSC protect the forest’s future, but also the indigenous people living in and around the forest. Aboriginal peoples control the forest management on their lands and territories, which never threatens or diminishes their resources or tenure rights. FSC promotes strong, healthy communities and provides sustainable economies in those areas.

The FSC Chain of Custody allows timber purchase to be tracked the production process - from the forest to the consumer, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution. This transparent and independent verification of the source of forest products allows for supreme confidence that timber has originated from sustainable, responsible forest management.

While all timber from Silva is legally sourced from well managed forests, we recognise the importance that the FSC certification holds in the construction industry and are increasing our stocks of certified timber. Our current FSC product range includes Western Red Cedar decking, cladding, shingles and fencing; Sucupira hardwood decking, Eastern White Cedar shingles and Siberian Larch cladding.

Silva Timber are committed to providing the highest quality timber in the UK from the world’s sustainable forests. For more information on FSC certification or our product range visit http://www.silvatimber.co.uk

Why Western Red Cedar is the natural choice for decking

Creating beautiful gardens is becoming increasingly popular for homeowners in the UK, who are looking to make more of their outdoor space and add areas to entertain guests, relax and spend time in their homes. One simple way of transforming a garden can be by installing a deck, but with such an array of choice for decking, finding which material to use can be a daunting prospect. Western Red Cedar offers an ideal option for decking, with several benefits making it the natural choice.

For centuries, Western Red Cedar has been the timber of choice for North America, from the Native Americans using it for canoes and totem poles, right through the modern day architects for contemporary home builds. With just one look at the beautiful appearance it’s easy to see why. Every Western Red Cedar board has its own distinct colour range, from a warm palette of rich amber tones, making your deck truly unique. Available in either a clean, clear grain with virtually no knots or a characterful select tight knot for a rustic charm, Western Red Cedar offers an inviting, natural decking solution.

The appearance is merely scratching the surface of what makes Western Red Cedar perfect for decking. Western Red Cedar is excellent to work with, being light in weight for transportation, however very durable in nature. Western Red Cedar has twice the stability of most common softwoods, the vertical grain means it is easy to sand, plain, saw and nail and the timber lies flat and straight, holding fastenings tightly and resisting warping, twisting or cupping.

Another appeal of Western Red Cedar is its resistance to decay. Containing natural preservatives that resist moisture, decay and insect damage, Western Red Cedar will provide a deck which will stand the test of time and weather to a stunning silver-grey colour if left untreated. As Western Red Cedar is free from pitch and resin, it will accept a wide range of finishes, allowing users to maintain and protect their natural like-new appearance for decades.

Using Western Red Cedar offers a sustainable option for the environmentally conscious developer. Due to reforestation and regeneration initiatives, there are more trees in North America now than 100 years ago. British Columbia in particular place strict regulations on timber harvesting that balance the environmental, recreational and economic values of their forests for the long term. Western Red Cedar has a low impact on the environment throughout its life cycle. It requires significantly less energy to produce man-made alternatives and is biodegradable, so creating a beautiful deck with Western Red Cedar will only have a positive effect on the environment.

Initially it may seem that shipping timber long distances must be a significant negative factor in the overall carbon footprint of wood products from North America to the UK. Research studies have however determined wood from anywhere in Canada, east or west coast, still has much more carbon stored in it than was emitted in its transportation to the UK, creating a better than carbon neutral building material.

As you can see, Western Red Cedar’s properties make it the ideal choice for decking. To complete a deck, Western Red Cedar is also available as balusters, posts, railings and caps. Any surplus timber can also be used to make attractive planters or benches.

Silva Timber Products are the UK’s leading supplier of high quality timber products, wood care finishes and fixings including Western Red Cedar decking, cladding, shingles & shakes, fencing and trellis. Silva supplies to a wide range of clients ranging from landscapers, building contractors, gardeners and designers to DIY enthusiasts and self builders. Combining traditional values with excellent customer service, Silva can offer the customer a positive experience from the initial order through to delivery. Every product is carefully selected and the company takes pride in sourcing the highest quality timber, carrying out rigorous testing, high stock levels and a flexible approach. For more information on the products available from Silva Timber, visit www.silvatimber.co.uk or email enquiries@silvatimber.co.uk