The furniture industry is one of the largest consumers of tropical hardwood in the world. At Heirloom, we made a decision in 2011 that would change how we source every piece of timber we use.
What FSC certification means. The Forest Stewardship Council certifies forests that are managed responsibly: trees are replanted at least at the rate they're harvested, workers are treated fairly, and local communities benefit from the forest's existence.
We also work extensively with reclaimed timber — beams from decommissioned Victorian factories, offcuts from heritage building renovation — processed in our own mill in Northamptonshire.
Why it costs more. Certified and reclaimed timber costs 20–40% more than uncertified wood. We absorb much of this cost rather than passing it fully to customers. We believe it's the cost of doing business responsibly.
We're proud that 100% of the timber in every piece we make carries FSC certification or a verified reclaimed provenance. This is non-negotiable — and it always will be.
