Who are Sodra?

Sodra produce quality structural sawn timber, our main purchases are for C24 joists.   One of our larger timber suppliers Sodra are a large forest industry group based primarily in Sweden.

Are they timber producers or exploiting raw materials for the greatetst profit?

They are part of the timber global market and contribute to the growth of the Swedish economy. Sodra invest in their mills to enable continued growth in global markets, a long-term approach. Whilst continuing to develop existing products they also increase their focus on further processing and innovation

What is to stop Sodra from selling out?

Sodra have a long term approach with their forestry products. They manage  seeds that grow into saplings that grow into trees that are nurtured for 60 - 70 years before harvesting.

How do we know the quality is good?

Sodra  maintain control

We typically carry an average of 6,000 products, mainly timber but a selection of building products as well.  Some products are straightford, but others need a little translation for almost everybody. We have an experienced hardcore of staff but understad the customers frustration if they have a question when we are closed and therefore unsamle to answer.   

Store closed for one day

We will be closed on Tuesday 26th August 2025 as a mark of respect and remembrance for the untimely passing of Mike Tewson, our founding Director. The 26th August will be the 1st anniversary of his passing.Mike was instrumental in shaping the company we are proud to be part of today. His leadership, vision, and care for the team continue to inspire us, and we feel it is only right to pause and reflect on his memory.

We would like to thank all our customers for their continuing support and look forward to many more years trading together.. Thankyou from everyone at Southern Timber.

We will re-open on Wednesday 27th August at 7.30am

* New style preasure treated batten is expected July/Agust

One of the pleasures in the building trade is watching the development, and introduction, of new products. They can be radically new such as the DuraPost garden fencing and metal post range. Or alternatively, the product can be simple, but visually exciting, such as planed exterior battens. 

Rise of the timber batten

Softwood timber battens are ideal for outdoor projects and sales have risen accordingly. The key raw material is our favourite slow-grown Scandinavian pine, chosen for its stability and durability. Our planed battens receive a pressure treatment to ensure a long-lasting performance.

Sawn battens can be used, but planed batten normally provides a cleaner and more contemporary appearance. Planed (aka Planed Square Edge PSE) batten is also easier to stain, or varnish, when the fence is completed.

Air Dried

Air drying is a drying process generally used on hardwoods. Usually, a hardwood log is cut into boards which are then stacked on top of each other, with pieces of wood separating the logs. This lets air flow between the boards, drying them naturally via a process that can take several years. This form of drying is useful because it reduces the moisture level in the boards by a substantial amount. Trees naturally have a great deal of moisture in them, and letting the moisture stay (unless you want it green) is often bad for the strength of the wood. This is the first stage in preparing hardwood for indoor use – for instance, making furniture.   

Application

 When you see this term used to refer to wood, it means: ‘What are you planning to use the wood for?’ Different varieties of wood work better in different scenarios, and anything from the size of the construction,

Millboard design and manufacture a wide range of decking, cladding and assocated items. Many of these products are composite - think of the practicallity and strength of engineered materials. Then combine these aesthetics with the appearance of natural products to achieve the appearance of Millboard. 

A finished Millboard decking

By careful use of materials for the sub-frame oit should be posssible to achieve support for the decking levels as and where required. Differend coloured boards can be introduced to create "mood" areas which can then be opened up into play and activity areas for a little parental supervision.

Types of decking sub-frame

Because of the longevity of millboard we should be looking further than

Featheredge boards and fencing

We have always stocked feather-edge boards in large quantities, selected lengths and a choice of widths. Now, because demand has shifted more to 150mm width, we have made additions to our range.  So, lets recap on where we are.

Featheredge width 125mm – making it simpler

The 125mm feather-edge boards are being phased out so we can focus even more on stock lengths of 150mm width.  That means our stocks of 125mm at 1.2 metre, 1.65 metre and 1.8 metre are now obsolete.

Of course, the installer can still overlap the featheredge boards by differing amounts if required. 

Featheredge width 150mm – increasing the range of lengths

This is the real winner, we can now stock even more feather-edge lengths and hopefully reduce the number of cuts that are

There is some compatability between Elka and Quick-Step Match. John Lourenco and Dan Cockram have provided the following listing

Deliveries – Hutton Garden Products

We supply a wide variety of Hutton’s products, from small wooden garden planters up to 16‘ x 16’ timber sheds.  Even though these products are made in Great Britain the transport logistics are quite daunting. We have to balance the costs of what products we keep in stock and the delivery for each item to the customer.

Garden Seating and Picnic Tables

Most of our garden seating and picnic tables are delivered to our Devon, and some of our, Cornwall customers within 5 working days. Devon is a large county, and we must optimise our delivery runs to minimise diesel costs and driving time. Our larger picnic table weigh up to 112kg and the popular WYE table weighs approx. 64kg. Other items include the Hutton Cotswold Garden Bench 5'<

One of the major changes in demand during the last few years has been the “Garden Bar”.   Garden bars have become “a thing” since the Covid pandemic and they look as though they here to stay.

Garden Bars – serving a need

Many of us are apprehensive about welcoming people back into our houses. However demand is being driven by many of us who had forgotten how refreshing the garden can be. Timber garden bars look set to provide the solution by providing a wonderful night out without even leaving the home. Each garden may be different but families are creating outdoor entertainment areas so they can host friends and family at home

Some useful additions for the garden

For a low price introduction some older items of garden furniture could be sanded down and then treated to a coat of paint.  This is a budget friendly approach and also lets the kids engage in planning