Timber Slabs
Garde Timber’s range of natural edge timber slabs are cut by portable mobile sawmills from salvaged logs obtained from rural and urban land clearing, tree loppers, storm recovery or trees deemed too dangerous in parks and recreational areas.
Full width boards are cut from bark to bark giving a unique grain pattern to provide fabulous unique feature bar top, bench top, table top, serveries, shelving or shop and café fit-outs material showing the natural character and natural feature of Mother Nature’s wonders.All Slabs are seasoned to 12 – 15 % equilibrium moisture content.(EMC)
Timber slabs will generally contain natural feature in hum vein, insect holes, cracks, splits and other rustic qualities of which can be filled if required. Slabs generally come with a natural edge down both long sides. Natural edges can be left for a rustic appeal or cut off for a square edge contemporary modern feel, still leaving a large width amazing grain pattern showing the work of nature.
Slab Processing Services available at Garde Timber
- Levelling and Sanding service by Slabmaster Levelling Machine – giving 2 flat parallel sanded faces
- Sanding and Shaping Natural Edge to smooth to touch profile and filling with epoxy fillers for food safe surfaces eg Hotel / Café / Kitchen Bar tops-
- Cutting off the natural edges to give square edge or Routing the cut edge to a pencil round profile usually 3 mm or 5 mm radius(other profile available on request)
- Cutting Slab to exact length and width including Sink / tap / waste hole and Cook top cut-outs
- Polishing Service available in:-
- 2 Pack Polyurathane for commercial grade finish – usually Satin(30 % Gloss ) or Semi Gloss (60 % Gloss)
Species Available at Garde Timber
FOREST REDGUM (Eucalyptus Tereticornis)
Forest Red Gum can grow up to 50 metres tall, with a girth of up to two metres. The timber from Forest Red Gum is, as its name suggests, predominately red. The cross-section, or heartwood, of the trees can range from cool orange to a deep red, whereas the sapwood is paler in tone, with a grey to cream red appearance. The grain of this wood is course, which complements the rich shade of timber. Forest Red Gum commonly features interlocked grain and fiddleback pattern. This is a Class 1 durability hardwood, with the sapwood not susceptible to lyctid borer attack and termites.Commonly known as Qld Bluegum.
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 3.6 m | Up to 900 mm | Sawn: 50 – 55 mm or Dressed: 40 – 45 m |
BLACKBUTT (Eucalyptis Pilaris)
Blackbutt got its name due to the trees appearance after bushfire, whereby the butt was considerably darkened. The cross-section of this timber is golden yellow to pale brown, whereas the sapwood isn’t as easy to distinguish, however generally is paler in comparison. This timber is resistant to lyctid borer. With an even grain and texture, Blackbutt is ideal for interior use.
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 3.2 m | Up to 700 mm | Sawn: 50 mm or Dressed: 40 mm |
CAMPHOR LAUREL
Native to Taiwan, southern Japan, southeast China and Indochina, the Camphor Laurel is suited for furniture projects, carving, and cabinetry. It yields a stunning, rich honey coloured timber, which is complete with a fresh scent. The cross section can generally vary, but most of the time is a pale to mid brown, with rare streaks of dark brown and red. The grain is interlocked, with an even overall texture. Camphor also has antibacterial properties prized for use in crafting handsome chopping and carving boards.
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 3.6 m | Up to 600 mm | Sawn: 50 mm or Dressed: 40 mm |
SPOTTED GUM (Corymbia Maculata)
Spotted gum timbers are available in a range of colours depending on the location of the source forest. The heartwood ranges from light brown through definite browns to deep red-brown hues. Sapwood is white to light brown in colour and can be up to 50mm wide. Spotted gum is a moderately coarse and uneven textured wood with some timbers having the additional feature of a wavy grain, giving rise to an attractive fiddleback figure.
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 3.6 m | Up to 700 mm | Sawn: 50 mm or Dressed: 40 mm |
RED CEDAR (Toona ciliata)
Red Cedar is native to the eastern coastal rainforests of Australia, as well as areas of Papua New Guinea and the Phillipines. The cross section and sapwood have distinctive shades, with the heartwood ranging from pale pink to rich, reddish brown, while the sapwood is pale pink or soft yellow. Growth rings are often visible on this type of timber and the grain is generally straight but sometimes interlocked. Red Ceder omits a characteristic odour which repels moths.
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 3.6 m | Up to 600 mm | Sawn: 40 mm or Dressed: 32 mm |
CROWS ASH (flindersia australis)
Also referred to as Australian Teak. This is a large hardwood species, native to certain areas of northern New South Wales and Queensland. If wood is dried too quickly, surface checking may occur. The heartwood is golden, with pale yellow sapwood. Those looking to work with this wood should take precaution. While it has a beautiful appearance, it can be difficult to glue and nail which limits the uses for the wood.
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 3.3 m | Up to 800 mm | Sawn: 50 mm or Dressed: 40 mm |
HOOP PINE (aracauria cunninghamii)
Hoop Pine is one of the straight grained soft woods supplied at Garde Timber. It has an even, yet fine texture. Growth rings can be present, but are not a distinctive quality. There is little differentiating between the heartwood and sapwood, both ranging from a pale to slightly darker yellow or brown. Due to its low durability, this type of softwood is best suited to fittings and fastings.
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 4.0 m | Up to 600 mm | Sawn: 50 mm or Dressed: 40 mm |
NORTHERN SILKY OAK (cardwellia sublimis)
A moderately textured and variable grained timber. Northern Silky Oak has a decorative quality, however is susceptible to lyctid borer attacks. The outer rims are dark brown, while the heartwood can range from pale pink to light brown. The sapwood usually displays shades of white.
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 2.3 m | Up to 600 mm | Sawn: 50 mm or Dressed: 40 mm |
SOUTHERN SILKY OAK (grevillia robusta)
A tall, fasting growing tree, available across the tropics of Australia. The name comes from the silky texture of freshly split wood and the prominent ray cells that gleam on the cut timber. The heartwood displays hues of reddish brown, but often has grey or light brown streaks.
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 3 m | Up to 500 mm | Sawn: 50 mm or Dressed: 40 mm |
Recycled Hardwood Slabs – Grey Ironbark
Cut from old Bridge Girders containing bolt holes, cracks and splits. Grey Ironbark is a premium native hardwood that has been well regarded as a high quality timber in Australia throughout human history. Indigenous Australians use it to make spear throwers and boil its bark for treating sores. It is a particularly hard, strong and durable timber, with a broad range of applications, due to its resistance to lyctid borers and termites.Spotted Gum also available from time to time .
| Lengths | Widths | Thickness |
| Up to 6.0 m | Up to 400 mm | Sawn: 50 mm or Dressed: 40 mm |
All subject to availability at time of enquiry – other species available from time to time.