Hi,
Can someone give me some advise as what is the better timber to use for constructing window frames?
I want to get some double glazed casement windows built.
I am considering the following timbers:-
1) Western Red Cedar
2) Kiln Dried hardwood with Merbou sill
3) Baltic Pine
I'll possibly look at priming and painting the frame for low maintenance compared to varnishing or staining.
There is a window manufacturer who can produce a fully painted window for long life and low maintenance - http://www.fairoak.com.au/fair_adv_spray_finish.html
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Browse Forums Windows & Doors  25 Oct 2005 380 Auckland, New Zealand Gold Member Re: Window Frames 2Nov 28, 2007 5:57 pm Hi,
also worth looking at tilt and turn windows from Paarhammer in Balan/Victoria Re: Window Frames 3Nov 28, 2007 6:55 pm Western Red Cedar - a very soft timber and at a premium to say Meranti
Hard wood good option stay away from the pine If you intend to prime and paint then get a comparison between WRC, Hardwood and Meranti. Meranti should save you $'s and will provide the same look longtivity Where are you based? DQQ Never argue with an idiot!!!! They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience. Timber window frames 4Nov 28, 2007 9:48 pm  DuckyQuackQuackWestern Red Cedar - a very soft timber and at a premium to say Meranti Hard wood good option stay away from the pine If you intend to prime and paint then get a comparison between WRC, Hardwood and Meranti. Meranti should save you $'s and will provide the same look longtivity Where are you based? DQQ Thanks for the advise. I'm based in Coburg, Melbourne. What are the pros and cons of Meranti compared to WRC? Roughly what is the saving as a percentage? Re: Timber window frames 6Nov 29, 2007 1:10 pm Guym
In answer to your questions What are the pros and cons of Meranti compared to WRC? Roughly what is the saving as a percentage? I am not a timber expert but here goes: Meranti • It is "mostly" PROTIM™ treated which prevents insect attack, rot and decay. • It has good nailing, screwing and glueing properties. • It has an even medium to coarse texture with an interlocking grain. • Meranti is a hardwood – strong and durable. Surface Finishes – It readily accepts varnish, paint or stain. Western Red Cedar • It is naturally resistant to insect attack, rot and decay. • It has good nailing, screwing and glueing properties. • It has a fine texture with a straight grain. • Cedar is a softwood – care is needed. Surface Finishes – It readily accepts varnish, paint or stain and provides a beautiful finish. if staining You can also readily get KD Hardwood Price difference - A 20-40% saving on Meranti to WRC. Main reasons - WRC costs up to 50% more per cubic metre and the waste for WRC is significantly higher than for Meranti or KD Hardwood. Some suppliers to visit Stegbar - only WRC Trend - Meranti and WRC Canterbury - Meranti (majority) WRC and KD Hardwood Dowell - Meranti Sette Bros - Meranti & WRC The ones in green are all based in Bayswater within 5 minutes of each other If going for casement D/G windows check the hardware used. Dont skimp on this! Well maintained timber windows will last over 40 years! PS - I have no interest in any of the above businesses and the pricing may have moved since my last check. If I get time I will check some of the hardware used ( I am a windows stickybeak!!) Hope that helps DQQ Never argue with an idiot!!!! They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience. Re: Window Frames 7Nov 29, 2007 1:12 pm Yak
I have never heard of anyone using Paulownia. sorry DQQ Never argue with an idiot!!!! They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience. Re: Timber window frames 8Nov 29, 2007 3:30 pm DuckyQuackQuackGuym In answer to your questions What are the pros and cons of Meranti compared to WRC? Roughly what is the saving as a percentage? I am not a timber expert but here goes: Meranti • It is "mostly" PROTIM™ treated which prevents insect attack, rot and decay. • It has good nailing, screwing and glueing properties. • It has an even medium to coarse texture with an interlocking grain. • Meranti is a hardwood – strong and durable. Surface Finishes – It readily accepts varnish, paint or stain. Western Red Cedar • It is naturally resistant to insect attack, rot and decay. • It has good nailing, screwing and glueing properties. • It has a fine texture with a straight grain. • Cedar is a softwood – care is needed. Surface Finishes – It readily accepts varnish, paint or stain and provides a beautiful finish. if staining You can also readily get KD Hardwood Price difference - A 20-40% saving on Meranti to WRC. Main reasons - WRC costs up to 50% more per cubic metre and the waste for WRC is significantly higher than for Meranti or KD Hardwood. Some suppliers to visit Stegbar - only WRC Trend - Meranti and WRC Canterbury - Meranti (majority) WRC and KD Hardwood Dowell - Meranti Sette Bros - Meranti & WRC The ones in green are all based in Bayswater within 5 minutes of each other If going for casement D/G windows check the hardware used. Dont skimp on this! Well maintained timber windows will last over 40 years! PS - I have no interest in any of the above businesses and the pricing may have moved since my last check. If I get time I will check some of the hardware used ( I am a windows stickybeak!!) Hope that helps DQQ Thanks DQQ for a detailed reply. Why Mercanti use against using KDH? Re: Window Frames 9Nov 29, 2007 5:22 pm cost would be the main difference between meranti and KD
I have not had much experience with KD Hardwood in real situations so would be reluctant to comment further cheers DQQ Never argue with an idiot!!!! They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience. Re: Window Frames 10Dec 04, 2007 10:33 am DuckyQuackQuackWestern Red Cedar - a very soft timber and at a premium to say Meranti Hard wood good option stay away from the pine If you intend to prime and paint then get a comparison between WRC, Hardwood and Meranti. Meranti should save you $'s and will provide the same look longtivity Where are you based? DQQ You mentioned to stay away from pine (e.g. Red Baltic and European Redwood). Why? In Europe most window frames are made from it. Although it is classed as a softwood, it has the same density as Tassie Oak. Are you in the window construction business or a consumer who is interested in renovations and construction? Re: Timber window frames 11Dec 04, 2007 11:05 am DuckyQuackQuackGuym Meranti • It is "mostly" PROTIM™ treated which prevents insect attack, rot and decay. • • Meranti is a hardwood – strong and durable. DQQ Bear in mind that meranti is onlt treated to H1 levels, which is for indoor protection only. It must have a good seal on it outdoors or it will not last. Whilst meranti is a hardwood, it is a very soft hardwood. The downside to merbau sills is they will leach tannin, even if it is kiln-dried merbau. Native kiln-dried hardwood would be a waste of money IMO if you are just going to paint it. The materials would all have to be custom run to suit the application. Just a few thoughts...... Re: Window Frames 12Dec 04, 2007 11:08 am Window construction
My timber window experience is based on running a timber window business (not now) for about 5 years. Used both meranti and cedar hence the comments Limited experience with pine (some trials) and only going off feedback from others in the industry. As you indicate a number of types of pine are available and I would not be in a position to comment with any authority on it. Good luck with your project regards DQQ Never argue with an idiot!!!! They drag you down to their level then beat you with experience. Re: Window Frames 13Dec 05, 2007 1:48 am DQQ
Re Pauwlonia, The thing I liked about Paulownia was the speed it grew at (in oz it would have been even faster) and there was an already established market using it. More details here and few other oz web sites if you search for it. http://www.toadgully.com.au/articles/kiri_ptimber.php It might be available if you search around. Steve Hint Try AI and Engineering approximation diagrams LOL, you can't stop progress 3 2366  |
