The Timbers Behind Your Height Ruler
One of the most personal choices you’ll make when ordering your height ruler is the timber it’s made from. Each species has its own colour, grain and character — meaning no two rulers ever look quite the same. Here’s a rundown of what we offer and why.
Victorian Ash / Tasmanian Oak
Victorian Ash (also sold as Tasmanian Oak) is one of our most popular choices, and for good reason. It’s a pale, warm timber with soft pink-to-honey tones, ranging through to straw and reddish-brown, and it’s known for its distinctive dark gum lines and veins running through the grain — no two boards look the same. It sands to a lovely smooth finish and takes stain beautifully.
Our Victorian Ash is sourced from regrowth forests, mostly in Tasmania with some coming from Victoria. Our suppliers hold third-party certifications including PEFC and Responsible Wood, meaning the timber is independently verified as coming from sustainably managed, regrowth forests rather than old growth.
American Oak
American Oak has a lighter, more golden-brown tone with hints of pink, and a tighter, straighter grain than our Australian hardwoods — giving it a cleaner, more contemporary look. It’s a dense, durable timber that holds detail well.
Our American Oak is sourced from the Lake Superior region of North America and carries both PEFC and Responsible Wood certification — two of the most recognised international standards for responsible forest management.
Pine
Pine is our softer, more budget-friendly option. It’s pale and creamy in colour with a more visible grain pattern, and being a softwood, it has a lighter, more rustic feel with the occasional small knot adding character. It’s a great choice if you’re after a more casual, natural look.
Rose Gum (Grandis)
Rose Gum — technically Flooded Gum, or Eucalyptus grandis — is the standout choice for anyone wanting something with a bit more colour. As the name suggests, it has a beautiful soft pink hue, often with warmer reddish-brown tones running through it, and a fairly straight, even grain, making it a favourite for nurseries and kids’ rooms alike.
[Photos of each timber to come]
A note on your timber choice: Every board is unique, with natural variation in grain, colour and gum lines. If you’d like to see your specific piece before it’s cut, just ask when ordering and let us know your preferred character level — lots, medium, or clean (note: timbers like Victorian Ash often feature natural gum lines, so a fully clean piece isn’t always possible). If you don’t request a photo and aren’t happy with the timber’s natural characteristics on arrival, we’re unable to offer a refund — so it’s worth asking first if appearance matters to you.
Choosing Your Design
Alongside your timber, stain and font, you can choose from a range of design options to complement your child’s name and height markings. If you would like something completely custom, please reach out.
Stain Options for Rose Gum
If you love the character of Rose Gum but want to change up the tone, we offer three stain finishes:
- Jarrah — a rich, deep reddish-brown stain that deepens the natural warmth of the timber.
- Sutherland Teak — a warm mid-brown tone with golden undertones, for a more classic timber look.
- Coco Black — a bold, near-black finish that lets the natural grain still show through, for a striking contrast.
- Clear Varnish — a clear, non-glossy finish that protects the timber while letting its true colour and grain shine through.
Choosing Your Font
Once you’ve picked your timber, it’s time to choose how your child’s/family name and details will look. We offer three broad styles of font to suit different looks:
| Script & Handwritten | Simple & Clean | Bold & Statement |
| Raph Lanok Future Shitoberry Sallita Honey Bee Raustila Earcy Day Queenland Tingler | Rimouski Caviar Dreams Mank Sans | Poetsen One Stardos |
Font Previewer
– Type your name/text below
– Select from drop down list to preview fonts available for this sign
Can’t decide, or want something a little different? Head to dafont.com — you can type in your child’s name or the words you’d like on your ruler and preview them instantly in hundreds of fonts. If you find one you love that we don’t already stock, just let us know and we’ll do our best to source it for you.
However you choose to customise it, your height ruler will be a one-of-a-kind piece made to grow alongside your little one — marking every milestone from their first steps to well beyond. If you have any questions about timber, stains, fonts or designs, or want a photo of your timber before we get started, just reach out — we’re always happy to help you create something truly special.