13
Jan

Using Oak Building Elements Externally

At Seaton Joinery Ltd, we specialize in the manufacture of high-quality bespoke joinery products using oak, meranti, mahogany and other soft/hardwood species. While Oak is a popular species of wood known for its durability, strength and traditional aesthetic, it is not suitable for external products due to its natural properties. Therefore we do not recommend the use of oak externally nor do we supply external oak products.

  1. Weather Resistance: Oak is not as weather-resistant as other hardwood species such as meranti and mahogany. Oak wood is more susceptible to rot and decay when exposed to the elements, making it less suitable for external products that are exposed to the elements.
  2. Stability: Oak wood is less stable than other hardwood species, meaning that it is more likely to warp, bow or twist when exposed to changes in moisture or temperature. This makes it less suitable for external products that are exposed to the elements.
  3. Maintenance: Oak wood requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best. This includes regular staining, painting or oiling to protect it from the elements and preserve its natural beauty. This can be a costly and time-consuming process.
  4. Hardness: Oak wood is harder than Meranti and Mahogany, which makes it difficult to work with and can cause issues with the machinery used in the manufacturing process.
  5. Durability: Oak is not as durable as other hardwood species such as Meranti and Mahogany, which are known to be more resistant to rot and decay.

In conclusion, while Oak is a popular and traditional species of wood, it is not as suitable for external products as meranti and mahogany hardwood species. Meranti and Mahogany are known for their weather resistance, stability, low maintenance requirements, easy to work with and high durability which makes them perfect for external products.

We can however create shades to match natural and native oak species to have the aesthetic of oak but the performance of our usual hardwood mahogany or meranti sapele timber.