We source only joinery-grade pressure-treated Swedish Redwood Timber from one family Mill in Sweden and bring it direct to our workshop here in Dorset. On arrival it is put 'in stick' to air-dry in lovely Dorset wind and sunshine for a few weeks until it is ready to be crafted into one of our designs. Any plywood used on floors is a hardwood exterior grade ply and is equally carefully sourced and scrutinised for quality. The Resin Coated Board used with our Rabbit Houses has a tough phenolic coating to make cleaning very easy. Our suppliers are PEFC & FSC Certified.
We then weave our workshop magic on the timber to bend it into the shapely curves and arches used in the Framebow designs and, with our special wood-bending techniques, this can take several weeks to achieve.
On leaving the workshop, the roofs of all Framebow Houses are given two coats of a Timber Water Repellent Treatment to ensure weather resistance. We take pride in making sure the timber is finished well, with all corners rounded and sanded. This is important as it prevents the edges of the timber from splitting and the sharp edges harming your pets (and it looks so much nicer too).
For the roofs, depending on model, we use either 19mm or 25mm thick tongue and groove shiplap timber; for the walls we use 19mm tongue and groove cladding. This will make sure they are well insulated and built to last. The frames are either 38mm x 38mm or 38mm x 50mm timber. The floors are 9mm thick coated exterior hardwood plywood.
Equally, all fixings need to be for long life, too. We use stainless steel nails and double plated screws during construction as well as supply these screws and zinc plated bolts when being self-assembled. All furniture, like hinges and turn buttons, are galvanised and the half inch by one inch weldmesh is an18-gauge weldmesh (galvanised after manufacture because this is the best). This is further plastic-coated in green to maintain its good looks and longevity. We use weldmesh on our runs because foxes can chew through old-fashioned softer fencing wires.
By using pressure treated timber we can guarantee the wood against rot and fungal attack for 15 years (under our
Fair Care Warranty). We further offer warranty on all our units for two years against manufacturing defects so that if you feel the timber and build quality is not what you expect we will repair, replace or refund without quibble.
Please remember; timber will move, expand and contract throughout the seasons therefore hairline cracks often appear over time. This is not faulty; it is simply how timber behaves. For more information see
Caring for Pressure Treated Timber.