Wood technology links
This page lists internet resources relevant to members of the WTS. If you know of other sites which could be included, please email the Society with details.
UK
British Woodworking Federation (BWF)
BWF is the trade association for the woodworking and joinery manufacturing industry in the UK. It has over 500 members drawn from manufacturers, distributors and installers of timber doors. Windows, conservatories, staircases, all forms of architectural joinery including shopfitting, timber frame buildings and engineered timber components as well as suppliers to the industry.
Building Research Establishment (BRE)
Timber Research at BRE was formely located at the Princes Risborough site where the Forest Products Research Laboratory (FPRL) was created in 1927. FPRL was absorbed onto BRE's Garston site in 1988 where the BRE Group offer a wide range of R&D services for timber, wood-based panel products and wood composites. The website contains links to projects and case studies and to BRE publications on timber. BRE is a subsidiary company of the BRE Trust, a charitable company which funds R&D via the BRE Universities Partnership. For example, timber research is part of the research portofolio of the BRE Centre for Innovative Construction Materials at the University of Bath.
Canada Wood Group (UK)
Canada Wood is a coalition of Canadian industry trade associations which represent Canada's forest sector market development, market access and technical interests in offshore markets.
Postgraduate course (MSc) in Timber Engineering: Napier is the first abd only university in the UK to offer courses in timber engineering leading the way in this dynamic and expanding area of construction. It has a reputation for academic excellence supported by excellent industry links, plus contemporary research and consultancy through the Centre for Timber Engineering, Building Performance Centre and Scottish Energy Centre.
Glued Laminated Timber Association (GLTA)
An independent trade association whose aims is to promote the awareness of glulam and its products. It represents the leading UK companies in the Glulam industry. Members of the industry provide a comprehensive design, supply and erection service for beams, arches, portal frames and trusses, together with associated materials. The majority of glulam sold through GLTA members is imported from European factories with long established third party controlled quality systems. Those members who manufacture in the UK are also working to agreed European standards. The association is represented on BSI and European technical committees.
The British Wood Preserving & Damp-Proofing Association
The TTF is a membership organisation which promotes softwoods, hardwoods and wood panel products. For non-members there are numerous lively links to information on timber including an image library and statistical publications on timber. There are product and membership search engines and access to the latest news and information. Members have access to a wide range of services including environmental support, market information, purchasing guidance, health and safety and financial information. The TTF has an area structure covering England, Scotland and Wales and links are provided to these regions.
The Timber Research and Development Association has existed for over 70 years and is a centre of excellence for the specification and end use of timber and wood-based products. In the last few years TRADA have adopted a very liberal attitude to the dissemination of information and free registration allows access to a very comprehensice and professional website. There ia a wealth of information on topics including technical issues, Eurocodes and regulations together with access to case studies, a bookshop, training, a directory of suppliers, commercial services and events. Latest developments, such as cross-laminated timber, are explained. TRADA promote exhibitions such as Timber Expo.
Trussed Rafter Association (TRA)
The TRA is the respected voice of the trussed rafter industry in the UK. It is committed to stringent standards and service and sets a professional benchmark for the industry. Members include the principal manufacturers of trussed rafters, industry suppliers and professionals involved in roof design and construction. All manufacturing members have third-party supervised Quality Assurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance.
UK Forest Products Association - UKFPA
UK Timber Frame Association (UKTFA)
The UKTFA is the trade association representing over 85% of the UK's manufacturers and also the sector's key suppliers. Its role is to:
-Be the primary source for all timber frame information for the construction industry, policy makers and the general public
-To provide up to date technical guidance and timely advice for those considering or building with timber frame
-Promote higher standards through our industry quality and SiteSafe schemes both conditional to membership, backed by tailored training schemes
-Aid the UK construction industry in exploiting the benefits of timber frame -high thermal efficiency, cost effectiveness, sustainability, acoustic excellence, durability, speed of build and design flexibility
-Be an established and authoritative voice for all our members
Wood for Good is strictly a campaign rather than an organisation with no directly employed staff, created in 2000 to promote the use of timber in the UK. The Wood Resource Centre examines issues such as building and products and supporters of the campaign. There are also free online courses on wood on offer accredited by TRADA and the RIBA. The Wood Facts link provides information on carbon neutrality, embodied energy and sustainability.
Wood Protection Association (WPA)
The WPA provides advice on:
-The selection of sustainable species for different end-uses
-Advice on selection of appropriate wood protection products
-Specifications for high quality preservative treatments for all Use Classes
-Specifications for flame retardant treatments
-Information on suppliers of coatings, preservatives, flame retardants and wood treated with these products
-Information on safe and effective use of all types of wood protection products and treated timber
International
American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC)
AHEC is the leading international association for the US hardwoos industry, representing the committed US hardwood exporters and the major US hardwood products trade asscosiations in the United States. AHEC runs a worldwide programme to promote the full range of American hardwoods in over 50 markets.
APA - The Engineered Wood Association (USA)
Architectural & Specialist Door Manufacturers (ASDMA)
Membership is composed of companies who manufacture specialist doors. They have representation on various standards writing bodies in the UK and Europe, ensuring that the products they supply comply with current and new regulations and standards safeguarding the interests of their clients.
European Forest Institute (EFI) (Finland)
European Federation of Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers (EUMABOSIS)
The site, first created in 1995, is the brainchild of Steven R Shook offering wide access to academic institutions, service providers, manufacturing industries and much else in the field of timber and forestry across the world. There is also an extensive list of weblinks. Although there is a North American bias, this site was the pioneer in disseminating wood information and is well worth exploring.
Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)
Forest Products Society (USA)
Innova Wood (Belgium)
International Academy of Wood Science (IAWS) (Germany)
International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA) (The Netherlands)
International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO)
Malaysian Timber Council (MTC)
The main objectives of the MTC is to promote the Malaysian timber industry and develop the market for timber products globally; to expand the industries manufacturing technology base by increasing value-adding in production; growing the pool of acknowlegeable workers; to provide information services to the industry and to protect and improve the Malaysian timber industry's global image.
Ontario Wood Products Export Association (OWPEA) (Canada)
Society of Wood Science and Technology (USA)
The Center for International Trade in Forest Products (CINTRAFOR) School of Forest Resources, University of Washington (USA)
The Council of Forest Industries (COFI) (Canada)
WoodBin's calculator for wood shrinkage and expansion based on changes in wood moisture content.
The Ultimate Tree-Ring Web Pages
Hneri D Grissino-Mayer from the Department of Geography at the University of Tennessee has created a visual treat dedicated to dendrochronology across the world. The content is stunning with links to institutions, software and hardware for tree ring studies and even live job advertisements. The photo galleries are fascinating.
The Wood Portal (Germany)
The Xylem Database is absolutely invaluable to anybody involved in identifying wood. Prof Fritz Schweingruber originally published this magnum opus if micrographs in a wonderful, expensive and almost unobtainable book. He has made it all available on the web at this address.
UPM-Kymmene's delightful introduction to sustainable forestry set in the forest. Interactive windows introduce forestry practise and include recreational, habitat-related and environmental themes seen through the eyes of a presenter. The production uality is so good that you feel as though you have been transported into the forest.
Western Red Cedar Export Association (WRCEA) (Canada)
Western Red Cedar Lumber Association (WRCLA) (Canada)