Selecting Timber for Signage
Choosing the correct timber for signage can be a difficult task, from softwoods to hardwoods, oil, varnish and wax finishes, weathering and sustainability, there is a lot to think about.
At NES we ensure every timber sign performs beautifully and ages naturally to achieve the required design brief.
Timber signage combines craftsmanship, sustainability and natural beauty in one material, but to achieve the best results it’s important to understand how wood behaves, how it weathers and what to expect as it matures.
This insight explores the key considerations when specifying timber for signage, from species selection to finishes and long-term performance.
Understanding a Living Material
Timber offers warmth, depth and individuality that few materials can match, every board carries its own variations in grain, tone and texture that is unique to the log and tree species chosen, characteristics that make wooden signage both distinctive and timeless.
To design effectively with timber, it’s essential to balance:
- Performance – how the material will age and weather in situ.
- Appearance – embracing natural variation as part of its charm.
- Suitability – ensuring the right species and grade are chosen for the environment.
Hardwoods and Softwoods
Timber is typically classified into two categories, softwoods and hardwoods, the distinction refers to botanical species rather than material strength, as certain softwoods can exhibit greater durability and resilience than some hardwoods. "Coniferous" Softwoods are lighter, easier to work and often preferred for larger structures or shorter-term use, such as:
Douglas Fir
Larch
Pine
Redwood
Western Red Cedar
"Deciduous" Hardwoods are denser and more durable, ideal for external or long-term applications, such as:
Ash
Ekki
Iroko
Oak
Sapele
Sweet Chestnut
Natural Qualities and Movement
As an organic material, timber responds to its environment, it will expand and contract with changes in moisture, sometimes creating small splits or surface checks, these natural movements are part of timber’s character and rarely affect performance. How the timber is sawn also affects behaviour, the four main ways timber is sawn are:- Flat Sawn (Through and Through) The most common and cost-effective cut, flat sawn boards are sliced straight through the log revealing the familiar sweeping “cathedral” grain pattern seen in most timber, it’s efficient to produce and highlights the natural character of the wood, though it can show more movement with changes in moisture.
- Quarter Sawn The log is first divided into quarters before being cut, creating boards with a refined, straight grain and subtle figuring, quarter sawn timber is more stable and resistant to warping, making it ideal for high-quality joinery, flooring and decorative finishes where precision and appearance matter.
- Rift Sawn Rift sawn boards are cut at a consistent angle to the growth rings, producing a clean, linear grain with minimal patterning, this method offers exceptional stability and a contemporary look, perfect for modern interiors and detailed architectural applications.
- Rotary Peeled Commonly used for veneers, rotary peeling turns the log against a blade to create a continuous sheet of timber, like unrolling a roll of paper, it reveals broad, flowing grain patterns and makes highly efficient use of the log, often used in plywood and decorative panel production.
Finishes and Weathering
Finishing timber protects and defines its appearance; Left untreated, it will gradually weather to a silvery-grey patina, with oils or UVresistant
coatings its original colour and tone can be preserved for longer; Surface preparation, moisture control and regular maintenance ensure the finish matures evenly and remains visually consistent over time.
- Oil penetrates the grain, enriching colour and texture while offering natural, breathable protection, ideal for maintaining a tactile finish.
- Varnish provides a tough, weather-resistant coating suited t • o external signage or high-traffic areas.
- Lacquer delivers a smooth, consistent finish with refined sheen, often used for interior architectural features.
- Stain enhances grain definition and tone, adding depth without masking the timber’s natural beauty.
- Paint offers complete surface coverage and design flexibility, providing colour uniformity and strong environmental protection.
- Charred finishes, such as Shou Sugi Ban, create a striking aesthetic with enhanced durability and resistance to decay.
- Wax adds a soft, low-sheen protection layer, best suited to interior applications.
What to Expect from Natural Timber
Knots, grain variation, tonal shifts and fine cracking are all natural characteristics of real wood, they tell the story of the material’s growth and life, each timber sign is unique, exposure to sunlight and air continues to enrich the timber’s surface, enhancing its texture and depth over time
Sustainability and Traceability
Responsibly sourced timber supports environmental stewardship and material integrity, certification schemes such as FSC, PEFC, and Grown in Britain guarantee traceability from forest to finished product. At NES, we select and detail every timber component with sustainability, performance and natural beauty in mind, ensuring each project stands the test of time, both visually and environmentally.
