About us
Learn more about us and our story
The Board Room NI was started in 2018 By David Rodgers, a keen horticulturalist from Co.Down.
After studying and working at Greenmount College, David set off on his own in 2008 to follow his passion for gardening. His gardening business, Branching Out grew into a success after many years of enjoyable hard work.
He unintentionally found himself maintaining some rather special country estates in both Counties Antrim and Down. From Forest islands on the stunning Strangford Lough to Georgian Tower houses in the Craigantlett hills, no two days were ever the same.
For many years David processed all wind blown and felled trees from these properties into firewood.
Knowing that these timbers had so much more to offer than to end their life in a stove, he set about changing his ways.
Thus, The Board Room NI was born.
With each tree having its own story to tell, David believes that by processing these helpless fallen trees into usable, characterful timber slabs, boards and beams, their unique beauty can be appreciated for many years to come.
From the ground up
Our process
Each fallen tree is inspected and measured prior to the milling process. This allows us to yield the best quality and most highly figured wood.
Each limb is crosscut to its predetermined length.
Milling begins by hand using our specially modified 64 inch Alaskan mill. Further measurements are taken during this process to ensure each board is being processed to the highest possible standard.
Boards are then photographed and placed in our purpose built air-drying chambers. Here they are stacked and stickered carefully to eliminate warping and cupping. All end grain is sealed to reduce checking. It is at this stage in the process that they are offered for sale.
Watch the process
Nature's raw materials
Our materials
We mill a wide range of wood types for our products and our stock is very changeable, depending on what is available at any given time.
Here are just a few samples showing grain patterns and characteristics of some of our most popular species of wood.
Oak
Exceedingly strong, heavy and durable. Light in colour with a prominent grain.
Elm
Highly figured interlocking grain. Extremely heavy and dense.
Beech
Pale in colour. Strong and very abrasion resistant. An easy timber to work with.
Sycamore
Distinctive large open grain pattern. A popular choice for joiners.
Chestnut
Dense grain pattern and very durable. Great for external use.
Ash
Strong and durable. Light in colour and tends to have a very straight grain.
Meet the Team
The people who make it happen
Lauren Rodgers
Sales and Business Support
Lauren is likely to be your first point of contact here at The Board Room NI.
With a background in floristry, her creative flair and eye for detail plays a key role within the business. Lauren can often be seen on site, keeping the boys on their toes!
Mark Rodgers
Grafter and crafter
Mark has a love for all things outdoors. His appetite for perfection is vital to our milling process, helping us to produce our products to the highest possible standard.
A keen craftsman, he can often be found in his workshop creating beautiful bespoke furniture made from our wood.
David Rodgers
Bossman
David is the founder of The Board Room NI. His drive and innovative thinking are key elements in the day to day running of the business. He is happiest when he is outdoors in nature and hopes to one day own his own forest.