Top timber tips

Timber is a multipurpose material which is both durable and easy to work with, making it popular among tradies and DIYers.

Whether you are doing something as simple as constructing some shelves for your work shed, or designing your own timber deck as part of a garden landscaping project, it is vital to know the basics about working with this diverse material.

When embarking on any timber project it is important to have the appropriate tools on standby.

Most woodwork jobs are likely to include the following: saws, drills, sanders, router, belt sander, hammers, tape measures and planes. Visiting your local Kennards Hire store will help you get all the right equipment sorted.

To ensure your project goes off without a glitch it is a good idea to make detailed measurements of the space and the dimensions which you are working with.

Once you have this done, you can draw up a plan with a timber cutting list - just to make sure you don't make any errors!

There are a number of different types of timber so it is important to purchase the right variety for your project. If in doubt, consult a professional!

If your DIY project involves timber flooring, it is integral to leave the material to acclimatise in its new environment before starting work - this is because timber will swell and retract in different locations.