The service life of window joinery may be governed more by the amount of moisture which enters the wood than by any other single factor, but other factors include the natural decay resistance of the heartwood, the presence of sapwood, the preconditioning of the timber prior to manufacture, preservative treatments and handling prior to utilisation. The window design and the quality of the workmanship can also affect the risk of moisture penetration. This leaflet includes a guide to the choice of timber species, with their heartwood durability, woodworking properties, etc.

Originally published May 1968; reprinted 1974.