Durable, Long-Lasting Accoya® Wood used for Beach-Huts in Cardiff Bay

October 01 2024

Cardiff Bay is a major tourist hub in South Wales, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond. They come to enjoy the waterfront location, often taking boat trips for sightseeing or fishing. These popular trips were previously run out of a range of makeshift, rundown huts so, Cardiff City Council turned to Mon Timber to help improve the area.

Mon Timber worked with the Council and the commercial operators to design and manufacture new beach-themed huts. The specification was for high-performing timber, a necessity in the exposed coastal location which is often subject to harsh weather conditions.

The huts were designed and manufactured by Mon Timber’s expert joinery team. The solid timber frame and cladding of the new huts was made from Accoya®, with Tricoya® high performance MDF panels. As well as space for staff to run and book the trips, the huts, which adorn the main waterfront walkway along the water, all have a storage areas for brochures, coats and other items.

Richard Wadley, Hardwood & Specialities Manager, Mon Timber said:

“Accoya® brings unprecedented reliability for timber; it is incredibly stable and so won’t visibly shrink, swell or distort. Highly durable, it withstands the test of any climate. It also machines beautifully and easily to offer bespoke size and finish options for endless creativity.

“It really was the perfect solution for creating stylish, uniform huts for the boat trip teams to operate from all year round. Indeed more than a decade on, the huts still look fantastic!”

Why Accoya® was chosen:

Performance: Accoya® is known for its stability and durability, essential for the harsh coastal conditions of Cardiff Bay. It resists shrinking, swelling, and distorting and comes with a long-term warranty (50 years above ground and 25 years below ground and freshwater).

Finish: Accoya® offers a consistent, quality appearance with a smooth finish. It is incredibly stable, so coatings do not blister or peel over time and therefore require less maintenance. Accoya® also allows for various textural finishes and can be machined to bespoke sizes and finishes.

Sustainability: Accoya® is Cradle to Cradle Gold® and FSC® certified, ensuring it is sourced from responsibly managed forests. It is non-toxic and has a low carbon footprint, making it an environmentally conscious choice.

These features made Accoya® the perfect material for the commercial operator beach-themed huts in Cardiff Bay, ensuring durability, aesthetic appeal, and environmental sustainability for years to come.