The UK arm of international timber product specialist, West Fraser has identified some interesting trends of late in sales of its CaberMDF range which appear to reflect some very British activity across its wider customer base.
The manufacturer’s UK Marketing Manager, David Connacher, comments: “The high number of smaller orders for our CaberMDF being reported through our merchant stockists is, perhaps linked to DIY improvements, and in turn reflects the fact it is expensive to move house: due to the stamp duty and legal costs. Many homeowners are instead therefore deciding to improve or extend their existing properties; and they’re collectively buying a lot more MDF for a variety of tasks.”
The West Fraser range of high performance board products covers every aspect of the typical building project: from erecting a hoarding around a site using PrimedPlus, through to sheathing timber frame extensions or garden rooms with SterlingOSB Zero, and tackling flooring or flat-roofing work using CaberFloor and CaberDek. However, for the final fitting-out, the CaberMDF range really comes into its own to help DIY enthusiasts raise their game and achieve a professional quality finish.
There are five grades of CaberMDF, these being Trade (Light), Pro (Standard), Trade Moisture Resistant, Pro Moisture Resistant and Industrial. While the characteristics vary, the whole CaberMDF selection offers the benefit for the job in hand of being easy to cut, drill, shape and rout cleanly, without splintering or chipping; the latter being a common problem with plain boards or plywood. Plus, CaberMDF is suitable for use with woodworking machinery as well as hand tools, thus providing complete flexibility for the DIY customer with a limited tool bag.
David Connacher continues: “Our stockists do a great job providing point of sale information and their general experience to customers who might be buying Caber MDF for the first time, while also, our technical advisory team is easily accessible via our website or on the phone. They are increasingly assisting in explaining which board is best for the job, offering advice on installation; or providing info on project specific challenges.”
For the amateur builder, then, the highly engineered boards will help achieve more accurate results, with the quality and consistency of CaberMDF’s selected fibres and internal bond strength facilitating a higher standard of workmanship. And when it comes to assembling or installing fitted furniture such as wardrobes or kitchen units, screws and other types of fixing will hold more firmly, with no fear of working loose and causing irritating squeaking or seeing unsightly joints open up.
When it comes to completing the project, CaberMDF’s smooth surface is ideal for painting and accepting alternative surface finishes – so from initial build to the final flourish of paint brush, the whole scheme will look more professional, even if done by a budding builder – thus reducing the risk of a DIY project becoming a BIY (bodge it yourself) disaster.
All West Fraser panel products produced in the UK are net carbon negative and manufactured in mills that have obtained the coveted environmental ISO 14001 accreditation. Responsibly sourced, the panels are FSC® (C012533) certified and created from locally grown timber, cutting embodied carbon from transportation.
For further information, call 01786 812 921 or visit Uk.westfraser.com