BESTWOOD. Sustainable Timber Flooring I Cladding I Decking I Screening I Panelling
Since 2005, BESTWOOD has been one of the most innovative architectural product companies in South Africa, specialising in premium quality, natural timber finishes that add significant and long lasting value to ambitious architectural projects, thereby enhancing the lifestyles of the people that interact in and around those spaces.
We’re a genuine family business. A decade and a half ago, Paul Solomon, together with his children Barry and Tara, sought to establish a company who’s business it was to make the finest sustainable hardwoods and related value-added finishes readily available to South African architects and their clients.
What started as a humble endeavour to service a handful of specifiers with one distinctive hardwood (Jarrah), has evolved into something completely consuming: it is now the sum of our love for the inherent beauty of wood and for the allure of great design. Our company’s path has encompassed unique hardwoods from sustainable resources in Australia, fine interior finishes from a renowned team of Dutch artisans, and innovative lightweight and durable solutions from industry pioneers in New Zealand.
Now actively managed by the second generation, we continue to be inspired by nature. And like our discerning clients, we believe in the enduring value of patient craftsmanship, something that can not be rushed and does not lend itself to compromise. Our team thrives on design collaborations that enable us to contribute to iconic buildings and spaces.
Hardwood Flooring & Bespoke Wall Tiles by Dutch artisans, Hakwood
For over 12 years we have been the exclusive South African distributor and marketer of HAKWOOD from The Netherlands, craftsmen who create aspirational hardwood flooring, wall tiles and compelling interiors.
The Hakwood story began over forty years ago, in 1970 and it centres around the enterprising Hak family, each generation of which has brought their own skills and commitment to the endeavour. Constant themes include innovative Dutch thinking, engineering expertise and the appreciation of long-term relationships with stakeholders.
The physical manifestation of these principles, which are nurtured on a daily basis, is a world-class range of dimensionally stable, diverse, beautiful and environmentally responsible hardwood products to adorn floor and wall surfaces, and which architects and interior designers world-wide have come to view as the benchmark of what is possible when technical expertise and curiosity meet.
Hakwood’s enviable global portfolio of high profile project installations is as diverse in geography – now spanning over 80 countries – as it is in scope. Including collaborations with some of the world’s most influential designers, Hakwood’s creations are to be found in sophisticated private residences, 5 star hotels, luxury lodges, avant-garde corporate settings and flagship retail outlets.
Their extensive 2020 catalogue includes the spectacular Reclaimed Antique Oak, flooring that is hand-crafted from antique structural beams, salvaged from structures that have outlived their purpose. Individual floorboards are made with traditional tools and techniques, resulting in a truly bespoke creation. Available as plank flooring in mixed widths, as well as herringbone parquet, it is the epitome of hardwood flooring and the very definition of sustainability.
To ensure the optimal performance and longevity of our clients investments, Hakwood have made their own Complete Floor Care range of Clean & Oil Care available, as an easy to use, cost efficient regime that can be purchased online at our Shop, including delivery to any address in South Africa.
Exterior Cladding, Decking, Screening & Interior Panelling by New Zealand pioneers, ABODO
More recently, BESTWOOD is proud to partner with ABODO, innovators who create world-class sustainable timber solutions, all of which are dimensionally stable, long-lasting and remarkably beautiful.
“Our timbers create beautiful spaces for people to live and work, safely and sustainably. Timber spaces feel better, because they are. Abodo timbers are crafted to be durable and long lasting. With simple maintenance, their beauty evolves slowly with time. Their exceptional weatherability means our timbers are enjoyed for decades,” Our Philosophy, by Abodo, 2020″.
Carefully Crafted Timber: Abodo timbers are harvested exclusively from sustainable plantation forests. They are crafted with respect from beginning to end – allowing us to meet today’s needs without disadvantaging future generations. Their 30 / 30 principle is illustrative: for every tree milled, Abodo ensure it provides more than 30 years of service, which is as long as it takes to grow a replacement tree.
Designed as a sustainable alternative to western red cedar, ABODO’s Vulcan Cladding, Screening and Panelling solutions include a patented vertical grain orientation and unique laminated construction of thermally modified clear radiata pine, together with the option of sophisticated oils, to ensure unrivalled longevity in harsh southern hemisphere conditions.
Given its inherent dimensional stability and ease of machining, Vulcan timbers make for a wonderful Joinery material, and as such, bespoke profiles, sections and creations are entirely possible. Everything from traditional windows to C&C routed designs on decorative panels…
ABODO’S Vulcan decking is wide, long and reversible, offering both a grip face and smooth surface. It is pre-treated with an organic preservative system that includes a water repellent for superior durability.
Interior Joinery Solutions & Distinctive Hardwoods from Australian Saw-millers, Parkside Timber
We are proud to include two renowned hardwood species, Jarrah & Wormy Chestnut, derived from internationally recognised sustainable resources in Australia and milled exclusively by the Parkside Timber Group.
Jarrah is prized in as a classic hardwood that has compelling colours and an attractive flame grain. Our sister-company, Jarrah Supplies, which is now housed within BESTWOOD, has been the custodian of this venerable hardwood for nearly 25 years in South Africa and during that time they have overseen the successful installation and application of Jarrah in countless high profile residential and commercial settings and in a wide variety of guises.
We look forward to introducing a new generation of architects, interior designers and joiners to this one-of-a-kind timber. Jarrah is currently offered as solid herringbone parquet and rough sawn planks for complementary joinery applications in 25mm, 38mm & 50 mm thickness, 150mm, 200mm & 250mm width and long lengths up to 5.4 m’s. Watch this space for additional formats to come…
Wormy Chestnut has a characterful look and a special place in our hearts. It’s about as authentic as a natural timber could be, bearing the marks of the forest, yet with an understated base tone and charm that makes it incredibly versatile and well suited to the modern interior. Offered as solid T&G strip flooring, herringbone parquet and rough sawn planks for complementary joinery applications, with more formats to come…
BESTWOOD’S Commitment to You and to Your Project
In market conditions where quality is too often sacrificed for a short term saving (that invariably leads to unintended additional costs in the long term) our approach is to be unapologetically committed to offer our clients ONLY the BEST wood solutions possible, and to offer these at a fair price, where the long term value proposition is undeniable.
Remember “good old-fashioned” service? We do, and that’s exactly what we strive to offer every one who contacts us. Not only do we have the real world experience to offer valuable technical guidance and expertise but we’re also deeply appreciative for the opportunity to add value in a crowded market place, so we’re determined to treat potential clients and their projects with due respect.
Please do visit our Cape Town showroom to view large, in situ displays of all the solutions outlined on this website. If you’re further away (or prefer not to visit in person), please get in touch, as digital presentations are possible and can be very useful. We are able to service the entire country from our Cape Town warehouse, in fact our portfolio includes projects as far a field as Tanzania, Botswana and Mauritius. We look forward to hearing from you!