Wood Types

We believe the beauty, performance, and longevity of our doors and joinery start with the timber we select. All our products are crafted from solid, sustainably sourced wood, no veneers, no shortcuts and carefully kiln dried for stability. Each wood we offer has been chosen for its distinctive look, durability, and suitability for high-end joinery.

Here’s a closer look at the woods we commonly use:

European Oak

European oak is one of the most respected and versatile hardwoods in joinery. Renowned for its strength, durability, and beautiful grain, it suits both traditional and contemporary designs. Oak’s warm golden tones and attractive grain structure make it ideal for doors, windows, flooring, and architectural joinery. With excellent resistance to moisture and decay, properly finished European oak will last for decades, maturing gracefully over time.

Key qualities:

• Durable, long-lasting hardwood

• Rich, warm colour and distinctive grain

• Excellent for both interior and exterior applications

• Takes stains and finishes beautifully

Iroko

Iroko is a highly durable tropical hardwood sometimes called “African teak” due to its resilience and stunning appearance. It naturally resists rot, insects, and decay, making it an excellent choice for external doors and heavy-use joinery. Iroko starts with a golden yellow tone that can deepen to rich amber over time. Its interlocked grain gives a distinctive, textured finish that looks superb when oiled or left to age naturally.

Key qualities:

• Very durable and weather-resistant

• Beautiful warm tones and grain texture

• Ideal for exterior joinery

• Strong and dense hardwood

Idigbo

Idigbo is a light to medium brown West African hardwood with a subtle grain that finishes beautifully. With strength and stability comparable to oak, it machines well and takes finishes easily, whether stained to enhance its natural tones or painted for a modern aesthetic. Idigbo’s consistent texture and durability make it popular for bespoke doors and interior joinery alike.

Key qualities:

• Attractive pale brown colour with a warm undertone

• Good strength and stability

• Works well with stains and paints

• Excellent for internal and external joinery

Sapele

Sapele is a classic African hardwood from the mahogany family, prized for its deep reddish-brown tones and fine interlocked grain. It’s a highly stable timber with a refined finish, perfect for premium doors and architectural details. Sapele offers a rich, luxurious look while maintaining strong performance in both internal and external joinery.

Key qualities:

• Distinctive rich colour and grain

• Excellent polish and finish

• Ideal for high-end hardwood doors and trim

• Durable and stable timber

Utile (African Utile)

Utile, another beautiful African hardwood, shines with its warm red-brown heartwood and uniform texture. It’s strong, stable, and finishes exceptionally well, giving a vivid, elegant presence to doors and joinery. Utile is often chosen for projects where a rich colour and fine texture are desired.

Key qualities:

• Warm, attractive colours

• Good stability and workability

• Excellent for stained or clear-finished woodwork

• Striking aesthetic appeal

Accoya® – Highly recommended for Black or dark paint colours

Accoya is a high-performance modified timber unlike traditional hardwoods. Produced through a patented process called acetylation, Accoya transforms softwood into an extremely stable, rot-resistant, and dimensionally stable material. It’s ideal for painted doors and joinery where longevity and low maintenance are priorities. Backed by industry-leading warranties and outstanding environmental credentials, Accoya is a smart choice when you want the performance of premium wood with minimal upkeep.

Key qualities:

• Exceptional durability and stability

• Excellent resistance to moisture and rot

• Ideal for painted finishes

• Manufactured from sustainably sourced wood

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Sustainability & Quality

All our timbers are sourced from sustainably managed forests and selected for performance, beauty, and longevity. Natural wood will vary in colour and grain — this variation is part of what makes every piece unique and timeless.

Want help choosing the right wood for your project? Get in touch — we’re always happy to advise on the best timber for your doors or joinery.

with Iroko, Idigbo and Sapele, other woods are available.

For painted products we use ACCOYA and various hardwoods – many colours are available click here for further information.

It should be noted that all samples supplied are done so as a guide only, the final colour may vary from the original sample, this is all part of the beauty of natural materials.

The images in our website are intended as representations of the timbers we offer. Every product shown has been pre-finished and therefore will not be an exact representation of the colouring of the timber. There will always be some variation between actual products and products photographed in different light conditions and wood of different ages and finish.

European Oak – click here to see or European Oak Doors page

Iroko – click here to see our Iroko Doors page

Idigbo – stained – Click here to see our Idigbo doors page

Sapele (similar to Mahogany)

Accoya – we highly recommend accoya for black or dark paint colours