Author Tom Barnes

Tom Barnes is the Managing Director of Vastern Timber and has over twenty years experience in the timber trade. He is passionate about increasing the use of British wood in the built environment.

The Real Benefits Of English Oak – The Most Iconic Of British Woods

Oak remains perhaps the most iconic of British hardwoods, but how does English oak fare against imported oak, and do designers and specifiers fully understand and appreciate the available choices and advantages of English oak over imported timber? Tom Barnes… Continue Reading →

Timber Cladding – Getting It Right

While timber cladding is a technique that has been used for millennia, its use has boomed in recent decades, driven largely by a push for more sustainability in building, as well as a renewed appreciation of its aesthetic benefits. In… Continue Reading →

Wood Cladding – A Guide For Self-Build Projects

While timber cladding has boomed in recent decades, it has become particularly popular in the self-build market, and for good reason. Wood is one of the easiest ways to give a design that ‘something special’. The range of textures and… Continue Reading →

The Challenge To Make Timber Truly Sustainable

It seems ridiculous to suggest that timber is in anyway not a sustainable material. Surely timber represents one of the most sustainable materials known? After all, it has served humanity well since the dawn of history and the ability of… Continue Reading →

Truly sustainable timber

Sustainability has been a dominant theme in construction for many years. We all want the houses we build to be energy efficient and have a minimum environmental impact, and that sentiment extends to the specific materials we use in construction…. Continue Reading →

Timber Cladding – The Lessons Learned

For many architects, designers and self-builders, timber is a material they often have less familiarity with when used as an exterior feature. But as timber cladding installations mature it’s time to reflect on what has and hasn’t worked. Tom Barnes… Continue Reading →

Tom Barnes Becomes MD Of Vastern Timber

Stronger management structure prepares for growth Tom Barnes has assumed the role of Managing Director at Vastern Timber in a move which sees the family owned company adopt a stronger and more formal management structure ready for anticipated growth. Based… Continue Reading →

The Resurgence Of British Hardwood – Closing The Sustainability Loop

As a nation we have become overly reliant on imported hardwoods to the detriment of not only the UK hardwood industry, but also our own native woodlands. There is a long held belief amongst architects and designers that the UK… Continue Reading →

British Hardwood Enjoys A Resurgence

The UK timber industry is beginning to flourish as architects and designers stop relying on imports and look to become more sustainable by choosing hardwood from our native woodlands says Tom Barnes of Vastern Timber  Wood is one of the… Continue Reading →

English Oak Stands Proud At The Tower Of London

  Royal Wootton Bassett based Vastern Timber, has supplied premium English oak to the restoration work at the Tower of London.   The Sawmill has supplied wood for the reinstatement of the drawbridge which dates back to 1834, as well for… Continue Reading →

« Older posts Newer posts »

© 2024 Tom Barnes Blog — Powered by WordPress

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑