Roofing Timber?

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RandomRando

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Hey Folks.

So I've been chipping away at items around the house.

One of the things that needs doing, is replacing some of brandering on the eave edges and sides for verge tiles, fascias and guttering in future. Some of the wood is worse for wear with wood rot.

From what I've seen, I reckon I need

+- 4 of 38x38mm x6m battens..
6 of 38x76mm x6m planks for verge tiles. (Existing wood is a double up on 38x38 battens, some or worse for wear.)
1 of 38x76mm x3m
1 of 50x76mm x3m

so I call my local builders last week. Speak the the chap on the other end and tell him what I'm doing and what I need. He goes over the sizes with me to confirm what he has and then says "ja ja we got what you need. You want it delivered, right?" To which I agree. So I place the order with nutec fascias and specifically tell him I need timber that's not warped, buckled or bent. Must be straight so the table saw work is simple.

The plan is to remove the old rotted stuff on the edges, put new Wood, treat with carbolineum and then install the fascias, ahead of gutters being done by rainflow next year.

I go to work today and builders comes to drop off the order. When I get home, I'm greeted by this timber no more straight than goddamned wet noodle.

Wtf? I'm no carpenter but what I know of timber is once it's warped, it's warped. Forcing it to be straight on the brandering for the side verge tiles not going to work.

So, before I call this bloke in the morning, I ask two questions:

1. Is this normal, cos I don't think it is.
2. Where would I get straight timber for the roofing? 38x38 battens are relatively straight forward to work with from previous experience, it's the bigger planks that are the primary issue.

TiA.
 

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That's about what most of it looks at builders in my experience. If you don't pick it yourself you don't get any better.
 
RandomRando said:
specifically tell him I need timber that's not warped, buckled or bent. Must be straight so the table saw work is simple.
Click to expand...

Doesn't exist. I am yet to find good quality wood. So tired of the rubbish they sell us. The guys don't even have proper storage and leave the stuff in the rain.


To think that is what they build all the new developments with and it is considered okay. In fact, those are pretty straight.
 
First mistake was buying anything from Builders.
Secondly yes it is difficult to get straight pieces unless you go pick out yourself.
The wood should also come in bundles that is still tied with straps, that normally keeps them a bit straighter.
 
RandomRando said:
1. Is this normal, cos I don't think it is.
2. Where would I get straight timber for the roofing? 38x38 battens are relatively straight forward to work with from previous experience, it's the bigger plants that are the primary issue.
Click to expand...
1. It has become the norm.
2. Please tag me when you have found it.
 
RandomRando said:
Surely this can't be the stuff the roofing blokes use?
Click to expand...
Unlikely, they would use their local timber merchants and probably get discount because they are a regular..

Builders is a no go for wood unless you go pick it out yourself.. things like structural wood they love leaving outside in the rain and moisture because it's treated so it will be fine..
 
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So the same can be expected from other places such as Leroy / Chamberlain / Buco / Tiger Timbers?

I thought they are all selling the same **** so it's of little relevance as to which supplier is used.
 
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WAslayer said:
Unlikely, they would use their local timber merchants and probably get discount because they are a regular..

Builders is a no go for wood unless you go pick it out yourself.. things like structural wood they love leaving outside in the rain and moisture because it's treated so it will be fine..
Click to expand...
These guys even called me yesterday to say they postponed the delivery cos they were worried about the rain during transit.
 
RandomRando said:
Surely this can't be the stuff the roofing blokes use?
Click to expand...

Wood warps. Just pour some water on it to get it to flex a bit easier when building. Often that also straightens it. Once it's all screwed in it wont matter. Just make sure you don't leave too much space between the joists. You basically straighten it while you build.

But yeah. In the future, go to the shop and pick out what you want, put it on a pile, and then ask them to deliver.
 
RandomRando said:
So the same can be expected from other places such as Leroy / Chamberlain / Buco / Tiger Timbers?

I thought the are all selling the same **** so it's of little relevance as to which supplier is used.
Click to expand...

My local chamberlains stores it under roof and is better but the ones you got are actually pretty good by builders standards.
 
Brandering is made from cheap pine and it will warp (some more than others). Best it to go and select the pieces which looks the best.

I will not select brandering that is twisted or bend at the end because those pieces are the difficult ones to make it straight with nails/screws.

If it comes with a bit of a bend in the middle, it is still possible to get it straight because you going nail it down to straight surface.
 
PowerFactor said:
Brandering is made from cheap pine and it will warp (some more than others). Best it to go and select the pieces which looks the best.

I will not select brandering that is twisted or bend at the end because those pieces are the difficult ones to make it straight with nails/screws.

If it comes with a bit of a bend in the middle, it is still possible to get it straight because you going nail it down to straight surface.
Click to expand...

If this is the case, then I'd rather screw it down.

The 38x50 & 50x76 needs a 27 degree offset cut into it... easy enough on the table saw with a straight piece of wood and the fence. Warped though, that makes it difficult. Fortunately I have not bought the 50x76 yet.

Even the 38x76s I suppose I could muscle to be more or less straight cos once the verge tiles are on and resting on the tile edges, the wood only serves as a horizontal fastener.

But I'm amazed at this. I knew it wouldn't be perfectly straight, but I expected better than this. Guess I'm going in-store next time, cos the cost of trying to return this and handpicking replacements won't make financial sense.
 
My one build I bought saligna brandering and the builders couldn't get a nail through they were so dense and had to use screws which was uncommon back then. They were also dead straight.
Now it seems you can push a nail through the brandering by hand.

Oh crap I think I might have reached that "good old days" age.
 
B-1 said:
My one build I bought saligna brandering and the builders couldn't get a nail through they were so dense and had to use screws which was uncommon back then. They were also dead straight.
Now it seems you can push a nail through the brandering by hand.

Oh crap I think I might have reached that "good old days" age.
Click to expand...
This is why I have so much respect for the elderly. Because when the next generation renovate the house, I can get proper pre-loved timber.
 
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Do you not have a roof rack on your car? any old roof rack will do...
just load the few pieces you're not happy with and take them back and swop them out, they'll do it no problem. Since it's only a few pieces just load them back on and replace them.

If it's twisted it's a nightmare, just replace it. If it's bowed its no problem to a degree as you're nailing it down as you go. If it's crook then you also can't use it. If you decide to use these just cut them shorter.

SA wood is not very good and stable, it is not like American or European pine, we also don't have the same standards compared to them.
 
Oof, that reminds me I need to fill all the stupid carpenter bee holes again.
 
B-1 said:
My one build I bought saligna brandering and the builders couldn't get a nail through they were so dense and had to use screws which was uncommon back then. They were also dead straight.
Now it seems you can push a nail through the brandering by hand.
Click to expand...

That's why we use softwood for framing. Also doesn't split as easily.
 
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