C16 Timber

C16 Structural Timber: Strength-Graded & Tanalised

Standard structural timber for general construction, internal framing, and agricultural projects.

C16 Timber Products

  • C16 4x2 Timber, Untreated4x2 C16 Untreated Timber - For Interior Building and General Purpose Use

    4×2 C16 Untreated Timber 4.8M

    £8.00

    Strength-graded C16 timber in 4.8m lengths, ideal for internal stud walls and structural framing projects across North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire.

    Perfect for internal stud walls and partition framing
    Regularised edges guarantee consistent width (±1mm)
    Kiln-dried to prevent warping after installation
    Building regulation compliant (BS EN 14081)
    Low cost delivery within 30 miles of Pickering, North Yorkshire

  • 7x3 C16 Purlins 15ft7x3 C16 Timber Purlins 15ft

    7×3 C16 Purlins 15ft

    £25.95

    Pressure-Treated Structural Timber | 175×75mm | External Use

    Perfect for agricultural building roofs and shed structures
    Pressure-treated throughout for long-term weather resistance
    Kiln-dried to prevent warping after installation
    15ft length (4.57m) suits standard roof spans
    Low cost delivery within 30 miles of Pickering, North Yorkshire

  • 8x2 Inch C16 Tanalised Timber - Pressure Treated, Strong Timber for Construction

    8×2 C16 Tanalised Timber

    Price range: £14.00 through £19.00

    Regularised Structural Grade | Pressure-Treated | External Use

    ✓ Pressure-treated for long-term outdoor durability
    ✓ C16 structural grade for certified load-bearing use
    ✓ Regularised edges for consistent width and easy installation
    ✓ Available in 3.6m and 4.8m lengths

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  • Stack of Tanalised Purlins

    9×3 Tanalised Purlins C16

    £34.00

    Pressure-Treated Structural Timber | 225×75mm | External Use

    ✓ Larger section for longer spans and heavier roof loads
    ✓ Pressure-treated for decades of outdoor durability
    ✓ C16 structural grade for certified load-bearing performance
    ✓ 15ft length suits agricultural and commercial roof structures

  • 2x2 Tanalised Timber 4.8M

    2×2 eased edges Timber Tanalised

    £5.50

    2×2 tanalised timber With EASED EDGES (easy edge) for easy handling)used for light structural and outdoor applications where treated durability is required.

  • C16 Timber available for delivery from Ryedale Timber

    4×2 C16 Tanalised Timber

    Price range: £7.00 through £9.00

    4×2 C16 tanalised structural timber used for framing and external construction where strength grading and moisture resistance are required.

    ✓ Pressure-treated for long-term outdoor durability
    ✓ C16 structural grade for certified load-bearing use
    ✓ Regularised edges for consistent width and easy installation
    ✓ Three length options for flexibility across projects

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  • C16 6x2 Timber

    6×2 C16 Tanalised Timber

    Price range: £9.50 through £13.50

    6×2 C16 tanalised structural timber used for framing and external structural applications where certified grading and moisture resistance are required.

    ✓ Pressure-treated for long-term outdoor durability
    ✓ C16 structural grade for certified load-bearing use
    ✓ Regularised edges for consistent 145mm width
    ✓ Superior depth for longer spans and heavier loads

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  • 3x2 C16 Timber

    C16 Timber 3×2 Tanalised

    £7.00

    3×2 C16 tanalised structural timber used for framing and light structural applications where certified grading and cost-effective performance are required.

    ✓ Pressure-treated (UC3) for protection against rot and insect attack
    ✓ C16 structural grade certified for load-bearing frameworks
    ✓ Regularised & Eased Edges for consistent 47mm x 75mm dimensions and splinter-free handling
    ✓ Kiln-dried to under 20% moisture to prevent warping and shrinking
    ✓ Low cost delivery within 30 miles of Pickering, North Yorkshire


C16 timber is the industry-standard choice for structural applications where loads are moderate and engineering specifications allow for a standard strength grade. It is kiln-dried to reduce moisture content and available either untreated for dry internal use or pressure-treated (tanalised) for protection against decay.

What is C16 Timber?

C16 is a strength grade for softwood timber defined by European Standard EN 338. The “16” refers to its characteristic bending strength of 16 Newtons per square millimetre.

While C24 timber is a higher grade, C16 remains the most cost-effective solution for the majority of domestic and agricultural builds where shorter spans or moderate loads are required.

Key Applications & Use Cases

C16 timber is specified for a wide range of standard structural work:

Internal Framing: Stud walls, floor joists (within span limits), wall plates, and ceiling joists.

Outbuildings: Sheds, workshops, and summerhouse frames where structural certification is needed.

Agricultural Buildings: Purlins and cladding rails in barns and lean-tos.

Decking Sub-frames: When pressure-treated, the standard choice for supporting garden decking and boardwalks.

Performance & Compliance Standards

Every piece of C16 timber we supply is strength-graded in accordance with BS EN 14081, ensuring:

Building Control compliance for projects subject to local authority inspection, structural integrity through grading for bending, tension, and compression strength, and stability from kiln-drying to 18-20% moisture content.

C16 vs. C24: Choosing the Right Grade

It is essential to select the grade specified in your architectural drawings or structural calculations. C16 and C24 are not interchangeable.

Feature C16 Timber C24 Timber
Strength Class Standard Premium
Best For Stud walls, sheds, general framing Main floor joists, long spans, high loads
Typical Span (4×2 joist at 400mm centres) ~2.5m ~2.9m
Cost More economical Higher price point

Important: If your plans specify C24, C16 must not be used as a substitute.

For detailed span comparisons, read our article: C16 vs. C24 Timber: Making the Right Structural Choice

Treatment Options: Untreated vs. Tanalised

Untreated (White Wood): For dry, internal applications like partition walls, ceiling joists, and protected roof structures. Kiln-dried but no chemical preservative.

Tanalised (Pressure-Treated): Required for timber exposed to the elements or ground moisture. Our tanalised treatment protects against rot and insect attack. Essential for decking frames, garden buildings, and agricultural structures.

Simple rule: If it sees moisture, use tanalised. If it’s internal and permanently dry, untreated is sufficient.

Why Trade & DIY Choose Ryedale Timber

No Silent Substitution: You get the exact grade you ordered, every time. We don’t supply C16 when you’ve ordered C24, or vice versa.

Straight & Square: We manage our own yard in Pickering to ensure stock is stored correctly and remains usable.

Local Expertise: Deal directly with people who understand construction and agricultural requirements across North Yorkshire.

C16 Structural Timber: Local Expertise & Quality

C16 timber is the industry standard for domestic and agricultural framing. At Ryedale Timber, we manage our own yard in Pickering to ensure every length is stored correctly, remains straight, and meets structural grading requirements.

We specialise in serving trade and DIY customers across North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire. Our dedicated fleet provides reliable, fixed-price delivery to York, Scarborough, Malton, and Thirsk. We also regularly supply projects in Driffield, Bridlington, Whitby, and Filey.

For rural and coastal builds, we deliver to Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside, Easingwold, Pocklington, Guisborough, and Robin Hood’s Bay.

Choose between untreated timber for dry internal studwork or tanalised (pressure-treated) timber for external frames, sheds, and agricultural buildings. If your plans require a higher load-bearing capacity, we also stock premium C24 grades.

Timber Delivery: North Yorkshire & East Yorkshire

We deliver our full range of C16 to the following areas. Deliveries typically take 3–5 working days.

Delivery Area Postcodes Covered Flat Rate Minimum Spend
Pickering YO18 £5.00 £50
Malton YO17 £10.00 £100
Scarborough YO11, YO12, YO13 £10.00 £100
Filey YO14 £12.00 £100
Helmsley YO62 £15.00 £150
Kirkbymoorside YO62 £15.00 £150
Bridlington YO15, YO16 £15.00 £200
Whitby YO21 £20.00 £200
Robin Hood’s Bay YO22 £20.00 £200
Driffield YO25 £30.00 £300
York YO1, YO10, YO19, YO23, YO24, YO26, YO30, YO31, YO32, YO43, YO44, YO51, YO60 £30.00 £300
Easingwold YO61 £30.00 £300
Thirsk YO7 £35.00 £300
Pocklington YO41, YO42 £35.00 £350
Guisborough TS14 £40.00 £500

Related Timber Products

Depending on your project, you might also need:


Frequently Asked Questions

What does C16 mean on timber?

C16 is a structural strength grade for coniferous softwood (indicated by the “C”). The “16” represents a characteristic bending strength of 16 Newtons per square millimetre. Every piece of C16 timber from Ryedale Timber is kiln-dried to a moisture content of 18–20% and graded in accordance with BS EN 14081 to ensure it meets UK Building Regulations.

Can you use C16 for joists?

Yes, C16 is the industry standard for floor and ceiling joists in domestic builds. As a guide, a 4×2 (100x50mm) C16 joist at 400mm centres spans approximately 2.5 metres. For longer spans or higher loads, you must increase the depth of the timber (e.g., 6×2 or 8×2) or switch to a C24 grade.

Is C16 suitable for outdoor use?

Only if it is pressure-treated (tanalised). Untreated “white wood” C16 is for internal, dry use only (such as stud walls). For garden buildings, decking sub-frames, or agricultural projects, you must use tanalised C16 to protect against rot, fungal decay, and insect attack.

Is C16 better than C24?

Neither is universally superior; the choice depends on the structural requirement. C24 is a higher grade with fewer knots, allowing for longer spans and higher loads, but it carries a higher price point. C16 is more economical and perfectly sufficient for most standard domestic framing and agricultural applications where engineering specifications allow.

What size C16 timber do I need?

Timber sizes are generally sold in “nominal” (pre-milled) dimensions. Common applications include:

  • Stud Walls: 3×2 (75x50mm) or 4×2 (100x50mm)
  • Floor Joists: 4×2 for spans under 2.5m; 6×2 (150x50mm) or 8×2 (200x50mm) for larger rooms
  • Ceiling Joists: 4×2 for standard domestic ceilings
  • Purlins: 7×3 (175x75mm) or 9×3 (225x75mm) depending on the roof span

Always check your structural drawings or Building Regulations for specific requirements.