Douglas fir is a strong and durable softwood used in construction, furniture, and even aircraft. It is popular for its ability to withstand the elements and is often recycled in the architectural industry for its antique appearance.
Douglas fir lumber is considered one of the best woods for projects ranging from furniture to home construction. Douglas fir has a distinct appearance before it is cut and is still recognizable after it has been cut into lumber. The qualities of this wood for strength and durability give it high marks. Thanks to these high grades it finds many uses, especially by green builders who recycle old wood.
Douglas firs are a member of the evergreen tree family and are named after Scottish botanist David Douglas, who is believed to have been the first to classify the trees. These trees are mostly found in North America. Douglas firs are considered softwoods and are actually a popular type of Christmas tree.
When these trees are harvested and chopped up, the lumber is considered to be one of the best types of wood in construction. It is renowned for its strength and durability. Specifically, it has been awarded the highest grades of softwood lumber for its ability to bend, stretch parallel to the grain, horizontal bend, and compression. All of these factors make douglas fir lumber particularly good at withstanding the elements and also easy to nail and glue together.
Douglas fir lumber is used in many different industries. One of its most common uses is in the construction world, thanks to its aforementioned robustness. Structural beams are commonly made from Douglas fir and are known to carry enormous loads of weight. Another aspect of construction where this wood is popular is in flooring and siding. Douglas Fir is popular for its light color and straight grain, making it visually appealing.
The aircraft industry also uses Douglas fir lumber. Most commercial aircraft are built of metal, so fir is mostly used with home-built aircraft. Douglas fir has become popular in the aircraft industry because the more popular spruce wood has become increasingly difficult to acquire.
One particularly green industry that has embraced this wood is the architectural recycling business. Reclaimed Douglas Fir lumber is a popular item for builders looking to provide an antique look to projects. Beams, planks and posts are routinely rescued from buildings scheduled for demolition. Thanks to Douglas fir’s strength and ability to fight the elements, many buildings built decades ago still have usable wood that reclamation companies resell.
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