Trust C16 Timber Campaign

At the heart of their campaign is C16 graded timber. C16 and C24 are the two main strength classes of structural softwood timber available in the UK. C24 timber is often stocked, specified and recommended by default, but homegrown, C16 timber is suitable for use in many general construction applications. 

Here in the UK, coniferous trees like spruce grow very fast, coming to maturity in around 40 years. This makes excellent structural timber at strength class C16, suitable for most general construction applications like structural framing and cut roof timbers. Coniferous trees in colder climates like the Nordic countries or the central European Alps grow more slowly, coming to maturity in 60 years or more. They produce a higher proportion of timber meeting the properties of strength class C24 – which makes great longer-span floor joists or rafters.

-Nick Boulton, Head of Technical and Trade Policy, TDUK

The “C” in C16 (or C24) stands for “coniferous”, indicating that this is softwood structural timber. Over the past 5 years, 79-84% of softwood removals from UK forests have been certified (1), making is easy to specify FSC-certified, UK-grown, C16 timber.

Architect Peter Smith and timber engineer Louise Rogers recently lent their weight to the campaign, presenting the case for homegrown timber on the ACAN (Architects Climate Action Network) stage, at last month’s Futurebuild conference. The campaign has also been supported by leading trade bodies Confor (Confederation of Forest Industries) and TDUK (Timber Development UK). 

To make the most efficient use of wood resources we need to use the whole range of wood products available. And that means fully utilising both C16 and C24 timbers. Not only is this great for the planet but it is also cost-effective for your construction budget.

-Nick Boulton, Head of Technical and Trade Policy, TDUK