Douglas-fir is one of the most widely used types of softwood. It’s technically not a Fir but is its own genus. It grows in the Western part of North America.
The tree grows to be quite large and therefore yields a good amount of timber, veneer, pilings, and plywood. The wood is among the hardest of softwoods. It’s incredibly valuable because of its usefulness for many applications including in framing installations.
What Is It Used For?
Douglas fir is pretty strong and versatile but its most common use is in construction and building. It’s an excellent choice for heavy structural installations such as trusses for roofing. In fact, it’s the best all-around lumber for glulam beams and studs.
It’s quite resistant to abrasion which is why it’s ideal for settings where the wood is subject to more wear than usual as in bridges, log homes and commercial buildings.
It’s also a great choice for woodworking projects due to its workability. The wood dries quickly with very little dimensional movement. It stains well and can be finished as trim, why is why it’s great for interiors. If you’re a beginner looking to build sturdy pieces, especially those that need plywood, Douglas Fir is worth taking a look at.
Douglas Fir Properties
The precise Douglas Fir wood mechanical specifications may differ according to the region from which it’s derived: coastal and interior. Interior Douglas Fir wood may further vary depending on whether it’s from interior west, interior north or Interior South. However, they do share similar properties.
Appearance
Douglas fir colors may vary depending on the age of the tree and its region. The sapwood is light and narrow and the heartwood is not distinct. It’s usually light brown with tinges of yellow or red. The growth rings might be darker or there may be some dark gray or black streaks across the wood.
Texture
Douglas fir wood usually has medium to coarse texture. The grain is typically straight or a bit wavy. Flatsawn pieces generally will have wild grain patterns and quartersawn pieces will have straight grain. The endgrain features small to medium sized resin canals that may be solitary or near other canals.
Workability
It has good machining properties. Note that it produces a resinous odor when being worked.
Durability
The heartwood has decent rot resistance, but it’s susceptible to insect attacks
Advantages and Disadvantages
Some of the upsides of working with Douglas fir include workability, and durability. It is sturdy and looks refined. It also works with glue and stains fairly well. It’s widely available so you can easily get your hands on some.
It does have its downsides, albeit minor. Because it’s quite hard, it might have a mild blunting effect no cutting tools. It’s not the cheapest kind of lumber and old growth lumber can be way more expensive.
All in all, it’s one of the best choices due to sheer availability and versatility. You may have to shell out a bit more than usual but it’s worth it even for the durability alone.
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