I have been developing sign manufacturing which utilises locally grown Scottish timbers to make signs with genuine ecological credentials.
According to the WWF, the UK is the third largest importer of illegally forested timbers in the world. Much of this comes in commodity sheet materials such as plywood. In 2023 imported accounted to 81% of all consumed timber, all requiring vast energy inputs to move and transport.
With this context, I am keen to avoid wherever possible the use of plywood and manufactured or imported wood products in my signs.
I work with indendent sawmills in Scotland to source locally grown and milled timbers. This is then slowly air dried, rather than using energy intensive kiln drying, to season.
From these timbers I make two main styles of sign boards: butted boards, and jointed boards.
Butted boards are where the painted timber pieces of the board are placed flush, next to one another. The joints are visible, and are a part of the look and feel of the sign.
Jointed boards are a little more complex, with a groove milled into the boards, and a floating tongue used to join them. The joints are flush, the sign becomes one smooth mass without visible joints, although it is possible to see a shadow of each board from time to time from the natural undulations of the timber grain.
All boards are planed and sanded before painting. All coach painted finishes use paints which are manufactured in Britain by a specialist supplier with an extensive colour library.
Along with traditional painted signs, I can also manufacture more contemporsry and rustic signage from local Scottish timber.
Serving Dee, Don & Feughside, Aberdeenshire and in the Scottish Highlands & Islands and further afield by appointment.
Fellow of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings
