Material in Focus: Silver Top Ash

Architecture, Sustainability, Sustainability, Technology

Timber
Dreams.

Australian Grown for Arkular Homes!

Often referred to as ‘Coastal Ash’ due to growing along the cooler coastal regions of the east coast, Silvertop Ash is a large, moderately durable Australian hardwood that grows in the southern and central coast and tablelands of New South Wales, eastern Victoria and north eastern Tasmania. It is also known by the common name of ‘Ironbark’ in Tasmania.

Image: Guest House

Texture & Colour.

A tall tree to 45 m with hard, deeply furrowed black to dark grey bark covers the trunk and contrasting smooth-barked branches above.

The sapwood is light brown in colour and not distinct from the heartwood, which is pale brown with occasional gum veins and flecks, sometimes with a pinkish tint.

The texture is moderately open, with growth rings sometimes visible and grain sometimes interlocked. Vessels are medium to small, solitary, tylosed, with vessel lines conspicuous. Fine rays are visible as darker flecks on radial surfaces.

Image: Bonnie Doon House

Versatile and Bushfire Approved

Durability above-ground is Class 2 with a life expectancy of 15 to 40 years, and durability in-ground is Class 3 – life with an expectancy of 5 to 15 years.

Rated hard (2 on a 6 class scale) in relation to indentation and ease of working with hand tools, Silvertop Ash also machines well.

Silvertop Ash readily accepts paint, stain and polish and is another species that provide good fire resistance. One of seven hardwood timber species that was found to be suitable by the Building Commission in Victoria for home construction in bushfire areas (provided it has a thickness greater than 18 mm)

Image: Red Hill House

Tough, Durable and Available

It is mainly used for general construction and flooring, handles, joinery, fence posts, cases, and chemical pulp.

Suitable for steam bending, Silvertop Ash is useful for furniture, high-end joinery and creative crafting. It is also woodchipped for paper production and shingles. A tough, moderately durable timber, Silvertop Ash is reasonably easy to work with and readily available.

All Information has been taken from Timber Profile – Silvertop Ash.

Image: Anglese Beach House

4 Reasons to Choose Silvertop Ash

1. Sustainable

We At Arkular always prioritise sustainability, and Silvertop ash grows east coast of Australia Australian plantations and is environmentally friendly and sourced sustainability for decades.

2. BAL Rating

Bushfire Attack Level for Silvertop Ash is (BAL) 12.5, 19 and 29. It is one of the seven hardwood species that is suitable for homes built in bushfire-prone areas, with a BAL 29 rating.

3. Durability

Silvertop Ash has a durability level of 2, meaning will last around 15-40 years for external cladding, the second best rating a cladding can receive. It is also naturally resistant to termites and Lyctid borer. It takes on oils beautifully, with only basic level care needed most of the time to elongate the life even further.

4. Customisable

Silver top ash has a beige complexion, which is ideal for many potential colour schemes and can easily be painted over.

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Nothing can compare to what a good tree-change lifestyle offers. We at Arkular know that every client has different wants and needs, and we at Arkular aim to achieve them for the client. Strong communication, Critical thinking, keeping the client informed, and being there from start to finish. It’s the Arkular way!

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