Structural Chestnut
Chestnut for structural work
Chestnut is a homegrown a timber at the heart of ground breaking structural engineering system that produces cutting edge buildings from a very sustainable method of forestry management.
Chestnut is not a common construction timber in this part of the world but it is the forestry practices of coppicing that make it a very feasible prospect for structural use.
The coppicing of woodland produces fast new growth of significant dimension Chestnut logs that can then be harvested for manufacture of engineered 'glulam' timber. A recent project at Shorne Wood Country Park and is a wonderful example of this, having used locally sourced Chestnut coppice for all their structural and joinery requirements and the result is an award winning building.
As far as strength and performance, Chestnut is a durable timber which has not been tested to the same degree as Oak for mechanical strength properties, it has an average density of 560kg/m³ when dry (12% moisture), with fairly good strength properties but when machined and laminated together can achieve structural strength well beyond the individual components.
As for Oak, Chestnut timber, even in glulam form, is a good insulator for heat, noise and for electricity but the engineering will change it's mechanical properties including the density and resistance to heat and fire.
Dimensions of Chestnut available in glulam for are almost infinite. Custom structural requirements will determine the section sizes and lengths of span.
Costs of Chestnut are more on a par with that of Oak and are more than that of the homegrown softwoods.
Heartwood colouring is pale orange brown with a light colour sapwood. When Fresh sawn it is a much brighter yellow but this pales with drying and can silver or grey down depending on orientation and exposure. The Tannin content of Chestnut has ramifications for leaching and staining and for corrosion when used in conjunction with Ferrous metals, please ask for more details or see our Structural Notes page.
Related Links
Structural Local Timber Products
Structural Douglas Fir
Structural Larch
Structural Oak
