​What's the Difference Between Green and Brown Timber?

At AVS Fencing & Landscaping Supplies we stock both green and brown timber fence panels - but what is the difference and which should you choose for your project? Here's our quick guide to timber colours and treatments.

What is green timber?

Green timber has a naturally-pale, wooden colour but you will also note a slight green tint or fleck caused by the pressure-treating process. The chemicals used in pressure treatment are copper based which react with both the sap of the timber and the air and then oxidise, creating green flecks on the surface. 

This is not intended to be a decorative finish and we recommend you  stain or paint your timber once installed, especially as shades can vary between timber batches.

What is brown timber?

Brown timber has been treated in the same way as green timber, but a brown dye has been added to the preservative to give a darker brown finish. This dye is simply for colour, it doesn't have any additional preservative quality.

• Brown pressure treated timber goes through the same treatment process as green but because of this extra colour application, brown timber tends to be slightly more expensive than green timber

• Dip treated brown timber is dipped in a tank with the preservative and then taken out to dry. Dip treated products will have a shorter lifespan than those that are pressure treated which is why we only supply dip treated panels and trellis – products that shouldn't be in direct contact with the ground.

For more information on timber treatments, such as UC4 or tanalised timber, read our article here.

Which timber colour should I choose?

Ultimately, this will come down to a combination of your personal preference but also local availability.  Our branches stock a wide range of both green and brown timber, but there are regional trends in demand and this is reflected in branch stock levels. 

We recommend you use our stock checker function which is available on every product page of our website. You can enter your postcode to find your nearest branch and see exactly how many items are available to ensure that your order can be processed as quickly as possible.

How do I care for pressure treated timber?

Over time, the colour of fencing will change firstly to a golden brown and then a silvery grey. If you want to choose your own look, both green and brown timber can be  painted or stained a different colour (this will also give it another layer of protection). 

We recommend treating both green and brown timber within six months of installation, once the timber is fully dry or seasoned, and then annually to maximise the lifespan of the wood.

For advice on choosing a colour for your fence  read our article here, and for tips on painting a fence or shed read our article here.

How do I care for dip treated timber?

Dip treated wood does not last quite as long as pressure treated wood and may require additional applications of preservative in order to give the timber the longest life possible.

Ask the fencing experts

For further advice about your fencing project don’t hesitate to speak to our fencing experts at your local AVS Fencing & Landscaping Supplies branch. Our ranges of high quality fencing materials are all available either to click and collect from your local AVS Branch or for home delivery within our AVS Branch delivery area.