Choosing between hardwood and softwood for your pergola isn’t just about looks - it shapes how your outdoor space will feel and last over time. From the timeless strength of oak to the clean, contemporary lines of Douglas Fir, each option brings something unique. This guide walks you through the differences in appearance, durability, maintenance and character, so you can choose the pergola that truly fits your home and lifestyle.

From rich American Black Walnut to durable Western Red Cedar, explore six exceptional North American timbers. Discover their unique strengths, workability and uses - and learn how to source sustainable timber in the UK with WL West.

Choosing between timber, plastic, and composite polo boards can be challenging. Each material has its strengths, but timber continues to lead the way for durability, tradition, and sustainability. Discover how the options compare and why timber remains the preferred choice for polo clubs across the UK.

Comparing Douglas Fir, Larch and Western Red Cedar for your cladding project? This guide explores how each softwood performs in terms of durability, stability, appearance, cost, lifespan and sustainability, helping you choose the best fit for your project.

Looking for timber that’s smooth, accurate, and ready to work with? Planed timber offers a clean, refined finish that's perfect for visible beams, detailed joinery, and outdoor structures like pergolas. Explore the benefits and see why more builders and joiners are choosing planed timber for high-quality projects.

Discover the key benefits of Yellow Balau decking - a strong, beautiful, and low-maintenance hardwood ideal for UK gardens and outdoor spaces.

Thermo Radiata Pine is a heat-treated softwood offering exceptional stability, durability, and a sleek, knot-free finish. Perfect for modern cladding projects, it combines natural beauty with chemical-free sustainability.

Solid hardwood flooring offers an unrivalled combination of natural beauty, longevity, sustainability and timeless appeal. Discover more and find out whether it’s the right choice for you.

Timber decking is sustainable, beautiful and versatile. Whether you want to deck around your home or underneath a pergola, create a new entertainment space or transform a sloping garden – read on to find out more about the benefits of hardwood decking.

West African sapele is a durable, low-maintenance hardwood with rich reddish-brown tones, making it an excellent choice for exterior cladding. Discover why sapele combines beauty, resilience, and sustainability for long-lasting outdoor projects.

Planning a new pergola? Before you start, it’s worth understanding what the UK’s planning rules actually mean for your garden. This guide breaks it down simply providing clear guidance on what you can (and can’t) build without permission. If you’re dreaming of a shaded outdoor space, here’s where to begin with confidence.

From choosing the perfect grain and colour contrast to tried-and-tested timber pairings, discover how to make your next piece truly stand out in our contrasting timbers guide.

Yellow Balau or composite decking? We compare the pros, cons, and costs to help you choose the best option for your outdoor space.

Both softwood and hardwood cladding offer unique strengths. Whether you’re drawn to the natural charm and value of Douglas Fir, or the refined durability of Oak or Sapele, this guide helps you understand the key differences and choose the right timber for your project.

Our timber buyer, Ian Booker, recently visited France to add some inventory to our oak stocks. We are often asked about how and where we source our timber, so we thought it would be helpful to explain the role of a timber buyer and how/why we source much of our oak from France.

Siberian larch was a popular choice for external cladding due to its durability and affordability, however, since 2022 we have looked to British larch as an excellent alternative.

Discover the definition of conflict timber, how to identify and avoid conflict timber, and the benefits of British larch as a replacement for Siberian larch.

Discover the benefits of green oak cladding for your project. From natural beauty and durability to sustainability and low maintenance, explore why fresh sawn oak is the perfect choice for exterior cladding.

Thinking about upgrading your outdoor space with a high-performance hardwood? Yellow Balau is a dense, durable tropical timber that’s become a go-to choice for decking, landscaping, and exterior joinery. In this FAQ guide, we answer the most common questions about Yellow Balau — from its slip resistance and maintenance needs to its sustainability credentials and how it compares with composite alternatives. Whether you're planning a garden makeover or just want to understand the benefits of this golden-toned hardwood, you’ll find everything you need to know right here.

Choosing between Red Grandis and Western Red Cedar for your cladding project? Both offer natural durability, beautiful finishes, and sustainable sourcing, but each has unique qualities. Red Grandis is a stable hardwood with a fine, uniform texture and excellent impact resistance—ideal for modern, exposed applications. Western Red Cedar is a lightweight, naturally weather-resistant softwood prized for its rich reddish hues and aromatic scent, making it the UK’s favourite for external cladding. At WL West & Sons, we stock both timbers in various profiles and sizes to suit your project needs.