Douglas Fir wood beams
A Strong, Tough & Durable Wood
The Douglas Fir is an evergreen tree of the genus Pseudotsuga, consisting of five distinct species found in western North America, Mexico, and eastern Asia. The North American species occur in two varieties in the western United States and Canada. The Coastal Douglas Fir can be found along the Pacific coast, while the Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir is present further inland on the continent. These trees are large evergreens, ranging in height from 66 to 390 feet.
Strength and Durability
Douglas Fir lumber is primarily used for supporting heavy loads in structural applications, and, for this reason, Douglas Fir is used heavily in the construction industry. The wood of the Douglas Fir is extremely durable and not very susceptible to warping or splitting, thanks to the straight, dense grain of the trunk. This grain also gives the wood its high strength-to-weight ratio. The Douglas Fir is a stiff, stable wood, making it perfect for handling harsh weather conditions under considerable structural weight and pressure.
"Old growth” Douglas Fir lumber is the finest grade of Douglas Fir available, with a clear vertical grain and very tight growth ring patterns, averaging 9 or more rings per inch. This tight growth ring pattern contributes to the wood's excellent stability and durability in both interior and exterior applications. Old growth vertical grain Douglas Fir is great for custom doors, windows, stairs and custom millwork.
Compare softwoods: Douglas Fir & Western Red Cedar.
Douglas Fir wood cabin
Unique Aesthetics
The physical appearance of the Douglas Fir is characterized by its light brown color and exceptional ability to retain finishes, paint, and staining. The density of the tree's vertical grain gives the Douglas Fir a distinct appearance, a result of the tight tree ring patterns found in the trunk. The unique aesthetics of the Douglas Fir make the lumber an attractive material for use by builders and designers alike.
J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber Company carries a variety of Douglas Fir shapes and grades for timber framers, including free of heart center timbers in both green and kiln dried options. Free of heart center timbers are more stable than boxed heart timbers and will ultimately check far less.
We work with multiple lumber mills in the United States and Canada to ensure our Douglas Fir lumber is of the highest available quality. Our appearance grades and select structural grades can be used in tandem to produce indoor or outdoor structures which will last for many years to come with minimal maintenance and repair. J. Gibson McIlvain stocks many patterns and sizes of Douglas Fir lumber, and custom designs and finishes are also available.
