Brimstone Poplar
Brimstone poplar is a thermally modified timber-cladding made of British grown wood.
It is durable, beautiful, truly sustainable and the lowest priced specie in the Brimstone range. Brimstone uses hardwood sourced exclusively in Britain, helping support our woodland economy. It is a renewable material, responsibly harvested and Grown in Britain certified.
Being relatively free of knots, very durable and stable, Brimstone poplar is a great British grown alternative to imported Canadian cedar and slow grown tropical timbers.
The poplar grows abundantly in the UK and was traditionally used for making paper and matches. It’s been under-used since those industries declined, which is unfortunate, as this species is particularly efficient at absorbing water and carbon.
Poplar is less strong than other woods, but thermal treatment converts it into a beautiful and durable timber cladding. Poplar is the softest specie in the Brimstone range, and we recommend Brimstone Ash if a stronger material is required for decking or joinery.
Brimstone poplar is transformed by thermal modification, a chemical free process that reconfigures wood by superheating it to over 200 degrees centigrade. The result is a stable and durable material, highly resistant to pests and rot, and certified to withstand the weather for over 30 years.
Naturally beautiful with no maintenance
Brimstone poplar does not require a maintenance cycle and will naturally silver over time. Thermal modification helps the timber to weather evenly, enhancing its naturally silky appearance.
Available in a range of profiles, the clean lines of Brimstone poplar are well suited to contemporary cladding applications, and it can be fitted vertically or horizontally.
Contact us to find out more about Brimstone, or request a quote for your project.
Technical Specification
Produced to comply with the harmonised standard for construction products regulation BSEN14915:2013 and to conform with BS8605-1:2014 External timber cladding: Method for specifying.
Trade Name | Brimstone Poplar |
Base timber | English poplar |
Species | Populus (Hybrid) |
Process | Thermal modification. 210 degrees centigrade. |
Origin | Legal and well-managed forests in England and Wales. |
Intended use | External cladding |
Other uses | External joinery and furniture |
Appearance | Consistent dark chocolate brown colouring with a silky grain pattern and regular birds eye pips. The colour is further enhanced by the application of a clear oil such as Osmo UV resistant oil. |
Weathering | The modification process removes most natural extractives resulting in relatively consistent weathering largely free of staining. Weathering to a grey colour occurs more quickly than on non-modified timber. When wet Brimstone poplar returns to a walnut colour. |
Profiles | All machined profiles |
Dimensions | 20 x 70mm, 20 x 95mm, 20 x 145mm |
Lengths | Random. 1.5 – 3.0mt+ |
Moisture content | 2-4% (Moisture content is stable in exterior conditions) |
Natural durability (EN350-2) | Very durable. Class 1 |
Insect attack | Thermally modified wood is resistant to insect attack when used above ground contact. |
Desired service life (BS8417) | Occasionally wet 60 yrs Frequently wet 30 yrs |
Treatability class | Resistant |
Movement class* | Small (Negligible) |
Resistance to impact* | Low |
Resistance to fixing | High. Modified wood is brittle and should be treated with care. |
When to fix | Year round. Very stable in all conditions. |
Grading | BS1186-3 1990 Class 1. EN942:2007. J20. CE grade A. Clean with a few small sound knots. |
Working properties | Thermally modified woods are more brittle than untreated wood. Care should be taken when cutting and nailing to prevent chipping and break out. Pre-drilling is advised. Test glues before large-scale use. Water based glues do not work well. PU glues have tested well. Otherwise treat as a normal hardwood. |
Extractives | The modification process involves no chemicals and any natural chemicals in the wood are removed during the process. Thermally modified wood can be treated as inert. |
Emission of formaldehyde (EN14915) | E1 (Not significant) |
Reaction to fire (EN14915) | Euroclass F (Untested). D-s2, d0 |
Fire treatment | Untested |
CE compliant | Yes |
While the utmost care has been taken to provide accurate information, Vastern Timber shall not be held responsible for any consequences arising from any errors or omissions on this website nor for any damages resulting from the use of the information. |