Beech (Euro)
European Beech (Fagus sylvatica) is a light-colored hardwood with a fine, even texture and subtle grain changes. The sapwood is hard to differentiate from the heartwood and the color varies from whitish to very pale brown, sometimes with a dark red heart or darker veining. It may darken to a pale pinkish-brown with steaming, and quarter-sawn surfaces may display an attractive broad ray figure. Beech is fairly plain and consistent throughout, with only slight character. It is often used for door beads, skirtings, door veneers, furniture, cabinet work, and office building reception desks and screens.
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Material Type:
Hardwood
Also Called:
English Beech, French Beech, Danish Beech, Romanian Beech.
Durability Notes:
Beech is non-durable and can be vulnerable to the common furniture beetle and the death-watch beetle plus Longhorn beetle can attack the sapwood.
Seasoning:
The drying and seasoning of Beech (Euro) is dependant on a number of factors; the speed in which it is processed after felling and logging, the method of drying and the specific kilns or location (if air dried). Generally the care taken by those processing the wood will have an impact on its drying and seasoning. As an overview; Beech (Euro) - It dries fairly quickly, but can warp, check, split and shrink. Care is needed in both air and kiln-drying. Please note that all wood is liable to move when in service plus there can be dimensional change. The extent of this will depend on; the stability of the species itself, the conditions it is exposed to, the coating, decoration and protection. You will find more information about the suitability of this wood, for any proposed application, by using our interactive system and the filters shown.
Properties:
Beech is very suitable for steam-bending and is often used for this. It has medium stiffness and high crushing strength. Beech has a tolerable blunting of cutters and tools. For nailing and screwing pre-drilling is necessary. Beech glues easily, stains and dyes well and takes an excellent finish. It is a very good wood for turning.
Typical Uses:
Solid and laminated furniture such as decks, benches and chairs (including bentwood furniture), quality joinery, kitchenware, tools, tool handles and workbenches, turnery, musical instruments, toys, bobbins, domestic flooring, decorative veneers and plywood.
Spiritual Properties:
The beech tree and its wood represent creativity, leadership and friendship.
Moisture Content:
12-18% KD
Wood Worker's Thoughts:
Nice to work with and finishes well. Grain tight and consistent although can be seen as uninteresting. Overall a very good light coloured hardwood.
Commonly asked questions about Euro Beech Wood
Is Beech a hardwood or a softwood? Beech is a hardwood. It is the same for; is Euro Beech hardwood or softwood? - Euro Beech is a hardwood.
Most groups/families of species share the same characteristics but this normally relates to their life as plants. Individual species do not always share the same characteristics as their relatives, in terms of the wood. Many factors influence how we use the wood and what we use it for, including where it grows, how it is forested, how it seasons/dries, etc. The answers to the following common questions, therefore relate to this particular species/wood and not the Beech family as a whole. Even more specific – our answers relate to the wood (as we know it) in its form as a useable resource.
What colour is Euro Beech ? Euro Beech can be described as light brown, white/cream (very light brown)
Is Euro Beech good for outdoor use? or is Euro Beech good for exterior use? Euro Beech is most suited for interior/interior use. Euro Beech can be used as an exterior/external timber (without treatment).
Whether the wood is naturally durable or not we would still recommend that it is decorated and/or coated with a suitable product to provide protection and/or maintain its appearance. This even applies when using the wood internally as, even subtle, changes in temperature or humidity will affect the wood. This will depend on the application/purpose of the wood and the user’s desired appearance. We also recommend that a recoating, care and maintenance programme is adhered to, for the life of an exterior wood. Wood cannot rot if it is kept dry – coatings and decoration can provide this protection. All of that said there are many durable timbers that are often left to weather naturally and will last for many years untreated/coated – movement and visual changes will occur but this is sometimes the desired effect. All wood is hygroscopic (it 'wants' to be in tune with its environment) it will therefore take on water from moisture in the air (or when directly exposed to or submerged in water) and ‘release it’ when dry or exposed to heat. This, inevitably, results in movement and dimensional change. For more about moisture in wood please click here - Moisture in wood
Get instant prices on Planed All Round Beech (Euro) timber boards cut to the sizes of your choice with full UK delivery.
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View product on WoodubuyIf you are looking to make something out of Beech (Euro) then visit Wooduchoose for multiple quotes tailored to your needs. Visit Wooduchoose
Get instant prices on sawn and planed Beech (Euro) timber boards cut to the sizes of your choice with full UK delivery. Visit Woodubuy
WooduWeigh is a real time calculator that uses a wood density algorithm that allows you calculate the weight of any quantity of Beech (Euro) timber. Visit Wooduweigh