Spruce is the most cost-effective and readily available timber for glulam manufacture. For any project where large quantities are required or the lowest price possible in glulam is wanted, spruce will be the timber of choice for the glulam. Depending on the quantity required, it is likely that we would source this from German factories that specialise in mass production in this material.
Spruce Fact File
- Scientific Name: Picea abies (Norway Spruce)
- Density: 400-500 kg/m³
- Strength: High strength-to-weight ratio
- Durability: Slightly durable, requires treatment for outdoor use
- Workability: Easy to machine and work with
- Appearance: Light, pale color with a fine, even grain
- Common Uses: Construction, glulam beams, cladding
- Sustainability: Widely available and often sourced from sustainable forests
Spruce Grain Detail
Spruce features a fine, straight grain with a smooth texture, and light, even coloring, making it ideal for structural applications.
Also called Whitewood, spruce is widely distributed throughout continental Europe and is a species of major economic importance. The large, fully grown trees usually have a straight trunk and grow to a height of about thirty meters, (the largest examples up to 55-metres). On average it is felled when its diameter measures around sixty centimetres. If left it can grow up to 1.5 meters.
Its colour ranges from a creamy white, light yellow to a reddish-brown. The heartwood is not distinct from its sapwood. It is straight-grained with thin and regular texture. The timber can emit sap even after being seasoned and machined. The wood is soft, easy to manipulate and work, low in weight and has a medium density. The strength properties are good, it is most commonly used in construction for both structural and internal joinery (skirting boards, architraves, etc.). It is an ideal choice for machining and structural application.
MORE ABOUT SPRUCE…
Click to read about our spruce project at Saint John’s School in Leatherhead, Surrey
Click to read about spruce in our blog 'Which is better Pine or Spruce?'
Interested in using spruce for your glulam project?
Do you have questions about using spruce for your project? Get in touch with our friendly and experienced timber experts for tailored advice.