Redwood has the advantage that it is widely stocked in the UK at a low moisture content for joinery purposes, which also suits the requirements of glulam manufacture. It is also available in a range of quality gradings which mean it is easier to produce knot-free or nearly knot-free glulam with Redwood than with Spruce. The cost of the timber is similar to Spruce.
Redwood (Pine) Fact File
- Scientific Name: Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine, often referred to as “Redwood” in the UK)
- Density: 500-550 kg/m³
- Strength: Moderate strength-to-weight ratio; suitable for structural uses
- Durability: Low to moderately durable; benefits from treatment for outdoor applications
- Workability: Easy to work with; machines well and takes stain and finish effectively
- Appearance: Pale reddish-brown to yellowish color with a straight, sometimes knotty grain
- Common Uses: Flooring, joinery, cladding, interior paneling, furniture, and general construction
- Sustainability: Widely available and often sourced from managed forests; sustainable with responsible forestry practices
Redwood (Scots Pine) Grain Detail
Redwood (Scots Pine) features a straight to slightly knotty grain with a moderately coarse texture and a warm, reddish-brown hue, providing a rustic appeal ideal for interior paneling and general construction.
Redwood – or also called Scots Pine, has a growth range larger than that of any other softwood. It can be found from Scotland to the Pacific Coast of Siberia, Norway, Mongolia and also in the Mediterranean region. The trees grow from ten to thirty meters tall, with the largest sizes being up to forty meters in height. Scots Pine from the Nordic countries is used for construction with large volumes of timber being produced in Scandinavia for housing. We often use Scots Pine for our glulam as it is readily available in joinery (or ‘unsorted’) grade which is relatively knot-free.
Scots Pine has distinct yellowish-white sapwood and reddish heartwood. Heartwood is clearly recognisable from the sapwood. Slow grown Nordic pine is very easy to machine to a smooth surface. Knots are tightly fixed in the timber and normally limited in size. The big red knots are common and give a decorative character to the timber. The wood is soft, medium in weight and has a medium density. The strength properties are good. Sawing and machining are easy, glueing can at times be difficult depending on the percentage of resin in the wood. In the UK it is mostly used for construction and also for joinery, interior finishing and furniture.
MORE ABOUT REDWOOD (PINE)…
Click to read about our Redwood (Scots Pine) project 'Ugly House to Lovely House'
Click to read about Scots Pine in our blog about 'Which is better Pine or Spruce?'
Interested in using Redwood (Scots Pine) for your glulam project?
Do you have questions about using Redwood (Scots Pine) for your project? Get in touch with our friendly and experienced timber experts for tailored advice.