Choosing African hardwood for an outdoor project requires more than selecting a species by name. Decking, exterior joinery, cladding and timber exposed to ground contact face different conditions, so the order should reflect the intended use.
Before requesting an export quotation, confirm the following specifications with your supplier.
1. State the intended application
Explain where the timber will be installed and how it will be exposed.
For example:
- Decking: boards exposed to rain, sunlight and repeated foot traffic.
- Exterior joinery: timber used for doors, window frames and similar components.
- Cladding: boards installed on an exterior wall, with exposure affected by the building design.
- Ground-contact applications: timber exposed to prolonged moisture or direct contact with soil.
These uses are not interchangeable. The required durability and performance depend on the exposure conditions and the design of the finished structure.
2. Identify the species precisely
Provide the accepted trade name and, where possible, the botanical name. Common names can vary between markets, so a trade name alone may not be sufficient for a technical specification or import documentation.
Do not choose a species solely because it is described as dense or hard. Hardness, natural durability and dimensional stability are different properties. Ask for reliable technical information relevant to the intended application.
3. Specify the finished dimensions
State the required thickness, width and length, together with any permitted tolerances.
Also clarify whether the dimensions refer to rough-sawn timber or the final machined size. This matters when boards must fit a particular decking system, frame or cladding detail.
If several lengths are acceptable, specify the minimum and maximum lengths rather than leaving the supplier to decide.
4. Confirm moisture content and machining
Moisture requirements should reflect the intended use, the destination climate and the installation method.
State whether you require air-dried or kiln-dried timber, if those options are available, and request confirmation of the target moisture content and how it will be assessed.
Also specify whether the order requires rough-sawn, planed or profiled boards. Do not assume that timber described as suitable for outdoor use has already been dried or machined to your project requirements.
5. Check the durability requirements
For outdoor timber, distinguish between exposure above ground and exposure involving ground contact or prolonged moisture. These conditions can require different durability levels.
Where your project documents specify a recognised standard or durability class, identify it in the purchase specification and ask for supporting technical evidence. A general claim that a species is “durable” is not a substitute for checking the requirement.
The ATIBT’s guide to African tropical timber structures provides technical guidance for applications including decking, exterior joinery and cladding.
6. Agree on the inspection criteria before shipment
Define the acceptable quality before the order is processed. Depending on the project, this may include:
- Species identification.
- Final dimensions and tolerances.
- Moisture content.
- Permitted defects and grading criteria.
- Surface finish and profile.
- Quantity and packing requirements.
Where visual approval is important, agree on how the timber will be documented and inspected before shipment. Photographs can help confirm appearance, but they do not independently establish moisture content, dimensions or other technical properties.
7. Put the specification into the quotation request
A useful request for quotation should identify the species, application, dimensions, grade, moisture requirements, machining, volume, destination port and delivery term.
Also state any required technical documents or import-market requirements. Confirm which documents can be supplied for the actual shipment rather than assuming that every timber order has identical requirements.
Request a quotation for your project
If you are sourcing African hardwood for an outdoor project, prepare the technical specification before comparing prices. Quotations are easier to evaluate when suppliers are pricing the same species, dimensions, quality requirements and delivery conditions.
Contact Jam Wood Export with your requirements for outdoor timber and ask for confirmation of the available product, specifications and export arrangements before placing an order.