Two of the most common firewood options in the United Kingdom is Birch and Oak. When it comes to selecting the firewood for your home, these are the two options that really stand out. These kiln dried logs both offer excellent burning properties, but there are some significant differences you need to be aware of, helping you make an informed decision when it comes to heating your home.
Heat Output and Density
The density and heat output of the firewood you choose are important factors to consider. Dense wood tends to burn well, providing more heat.
- Oak – oak is dense and heavy. It offer a long lasting burn with excellent heat output. Due to the density of oak, it produces a consistent heat, making it ideal for home heating
- Birch – birch isn’t as dense as oak, therefore it tends to burn faster. It may not produce as much heat as oak, but it is a top choice for being very easy to light, or for use when you need a quick boost of heat.
Burn Time
Dense wood tends to burn for an extended period, offering you a steady and sustained heat over a longer period of time. This is beneficial if you intend having a fire to heat the home each night during winter, providing you with a prolonged burn.
- Oak – thanks to its density, oak logs tend to burn for longer, providing you with steady heat
- Birch – when compared to oak, birch logs tend to burn quickly. They do not have the same burn duration, but birch is excellent when you want a quick and intense fire.
Aroma
The logs you purchase here at Thomson Wood Fuel Ltd are Ready to Burn certified. They have all been kiln dried, that mean less smoke and a cleaner burn. At the same time, the wood will give off a slight aroma:
- Oak – oak gives off a mild aroma that is pleasant. It is a subtle fragrance
- Birch – birch has a very distinct, sweet aroma, often considered refreshing
Ready to Burn Certification
We only supply the finest quality oak and birch logs, that are kiln dried and Ready to Burn certified. Now that you know the differences between oak and birch logs, you need to ensure you are purchasing dry wood that provides an optimal burn.
The Ready to Burn scheme was introduced in the UK, helping you identify what fuels are legal to burn in your home, while complying with the Air Quality regulations. As a result, we meet strict regulations, ensuring the oak or birch logs you purchase from us have a moisture content of less than twenty percent, providing you with excellent heat output, long burn durations, and a clean burn.
Packaging
When it comes to buying birch or oak logs from us, they come packaged for your convenience, whether you only want a few logs or a large amount. We supply our logs in boxes, crates, or palettes, for your convenience, ensuring you have plenty of logs to keep your home warm this winter season.
Delivery
We provide fast and effective delivery to most areas throughout the United Kingdom, providing you with high quality, Ready to Burn certified, kiln dried birch and oak logs. We offer you free delivery on orders over £75 to most of the UK. Unfortunately we do not deliver to KW, IV, PH, DD, or TR postcodes. Contact our team if you want further information.
Conclusion
Oak and birch wood provide unique characteristics, meeting different home heating needs. While oak burns hotter for longer, birch is ideal for a quick heating solution. Understanding the difference between the two, helps you select the right option for your home heating. The Thomson Wood Fuel Ltd team are available to answer any questions and provide any recommendations based on your heating needs.