Douglas Fir can provide a more characterful option to Spruce. It can be used externally (if suitably treated and maintained) with a recommendation to use sapwood free Douglas Fir. We manufacture glulam in house from both UK grown and imported French Douglas Fir. We also occasionally use almost knot-free North American Douglas Fir when a high specification finish is required.
Douglas Fir Fact File
- Scientific Name: Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas Fir)
- Density: 530-600 kg/m³
- Strength: High strength and stiffness, excellent strength-to-weight ratio
- Durability: Moderately durable, requires treatment for outdoor use
- Workability: Easy to machine and work with, holds nails and screws well
- Appearance: Light brown to reddish-brown color with a straight, even grain
- Common Uses: Framing, flooring, plywood, joinery, and veneers
- Sustainability: Abundant and commonly sourced from sustainably managed forests
Douglas Fir Grain Detail
Douglas Fir showcases a straight, prominent grain with a slightly coarse texture and a warm, reddish-brown hue. Its consistent grain pattern and durability make it a popular choice for structural and aesthetic applications alike.
Douglas Fir originates in the North West of America. It was introduced 200 years ago into the UK and Europe as a fast-growing sustainable timber primarily for use in construction. Properties of European Douglas Fir (mostly relating to the speed of growth and grain size) differ depending upon altitude and weather conditions – colder the climate, closer the grain.
The heartwood has a pinkish to dark red colour and is clearly discernible from the yellow sapwood. The sapwood has a thickness of between five and ten centimetres. The texture of the timber is medium, it has a fairly straight grain with the light and darker colours differing in terms of hardness. It can show some resin pockets (sometimes in large sizes). The timber has a medium-density and good strength properties. Glueing and sawing properties are good, as well as nailing and screwing, but pre-drilling is necessary as there is a strong tendency for splitting.
MORE ABOUT DOUGLAS FIR…
Click to read about our Douglas Fir project, 'Clifford’s Tower' in York
Click to read our article, "Why Use Douglas Fir?"
Interested in using Douglas Fir for your glulam project?
Do you have questions about using Douglas Fir for your project? Get in touch with our friendly and experienced timber experts for tailored advice.