Douglas Fir Lumber
The massive, fine grained Douglas firs (Pseudotsuga
menziesii) which grow in abundance along Canada's west coast provided British
Columbia's very first cargoes of export lumber as long ago as 1865. Yet over
75 percent of the Douglas fir harvested today is still fine grained timber,
characterized by exceptional strength, hardness and durability. The tree has a
long, straight trunk with very little taper, and in heavy stands is free of
branches for two-thirds or more of its height, yielding a high percentage of
clear and near-clear wood in long lengths and large sizes. Douglas fir is the
only redwood-type material still available in substantial volumes of clear
wood fiber.
Even second-growth Douglas fir from British Columbia,
the product of many years of reforestation, has achieved the mature
characteristics and dimensions which cannot be matched by faster-growing
plantation softwoods from other timber-producing regions of the world.
The combination of qualities that distinguish Douglas
fir - its tough strong fiber, high strength in relation to its weight, and
durability combined with dense grain structure and fine texture - gives this
wood exceptional versatility. It is highly regarded and widely specified both
for the most demanding structural applications and for joinery and
architectural millwork of the best quality. A's Home Center stride's to
bring the best lumber to our contractors.
General Properties
Douglas fir is a straight grained and resilient timber
with high strength to weight ratio. It is easily worked with machine or hand
tools and possesses excellent nail holding, gluing and staining properties.
Seasoning presents no difficulties under controlled conditions and the timber
dries easily with negligible checking or distortion. Douglas fir is a premium
building product specified by leading architects, engineers and builders for a
wide range of construction projects.
Durability - Weather exposed
Douglas fir is suitable for many fully or partly weather
exposed structures, such as pergolas and carports. It is also suitable for
fascias, barge boards and patio posts. However, because it is not rated as a
highly durable timber, Douglas fir should not be used in some external
structural applications such as bearers and joists under weather exposed
decks. When used in pergolas, the framing should be attached to the building
rather than forming a continuation of the main building roof structure.
For weather exposed applications of unseasoned Douglas
Fir, such as those outlined, some simple procedures will ensure suitable
performance and service life of the structure.
Support posts clear of the ground. Minimize checked or
housed joints that are not under roofing. Seal all end grain and slope ends to
assist water shedding. All weather exposed Douglas fir should be well primed,
finished and maintained.
Applications
Douglas
fir is equally at home as concealed framing, exposed roof beams and rafters or
fascias, barges, pergolas and other external structures. Douglas fir is light,
attractive in appearance and can be stained or finished to match any interior
décor or exterior design. It is one of the most versatile yet economical
building timbers available to the general construction industry.
As Pricing changes daily and weekly due please call for current prices on all
Lumber related products.
LACEY TOWNSHIP/LANOKA
HARBOR/FORKED RIVER AREA/ House for Sale or Rent