douglas fir vs cedar ground contact

Pressure treated for exterior above ground use - not intended for ground contact. I know cedar is an excellent choice, but will the 1" be strong enugh to resist warping over time? We are still harvesting old growth Incense Cedar for fence products today. I made some modifications on our back deck and had to redo the railings. A choice of pressure treated wood vs redwood crosses the minds of woodworkers and homeowners, especially when it comes to construction of exterior structures such as decks and fences. That’s because Redwood and Cedar are structurally rated and can be used in building everything from patio covers to decking and beyond. In the end, we went with doug fir. They can also be expensive. When it comes to comparing treated wood vs. cedar, pressure-treated wood is the sturdier and more weather-proof of the two. Douglas Fir Wood is used extensively in making plywood. MENU. good slow grown douglas heartwood would probably give 10 years without treatment before failure in reasonable weather for cladding i would take measures to prevent contact with moisture, design your build with good overhangs and keep cladding high from ground level so its clean and dry. ... SOUND CEDAR COMPANY 2600 Cedardale Road Mount Vernon, WA 98274 There are three varieties: coast Douglas-fir (P. menziesii var. Also redwood. There are three varieties: coast Douglas-fir (P. menziesii var. On average, cedars are slightly softer. Depending on the species, pines can reach 50 feet or more in height. Douglas Fir is found in Western America, from Alaska to California, and as far east as British Columbia. The main difference here is that it is 2" thick (vs 1" on the cedar). https://goosebaylumber.net/blog/raised-garden-beds-3-great-woods-to-use SEARCH SHARE. Fir woods tend to have a more unique look than Pine. I decided to do it in cedar. This creates a product that can withstand direct contact with the ground and moisture contact. There are basically three different treatment levels for incised lumber: above ground, ground contact, and in-ground structural. Affordable: Our juniper landscaping timbers are also far more affordable than using cedar or redwood, other long-lasting species that come with a high price tag. It responds well to hand- and power-tool use and, properly treated, is decay-, mold-, and termite-resistant. Premium Douglas Fir shafts. It lacks any of the pest-resistant oils found in redwood or cedar and has a shorter outdoor lifespan than either of these species. A very affordable locally grown wood that is typically the wood of choice for exterior work. Ground contact opens the wood up to mold and fungus because it allows moisture to penetrate the wood, which expands and splits in response. Fir wood can be extremely strong, while also quite easy to cut. Both cedars and firs are softwood trees, with hardnesses ranging between 320 pounds-force on the Janka hardness scale and 490 pounds-force. ” Bill Kasper on June 5, 2020 at 2:18 am said: brian, one thing i noticed with that warehouse dougfir (which we used for window lintels and our mantlepiece over the fireplace) is that the latewood kept popping up out of … woods were rated on above-ground decay resistance (Table 2). Advantages of Douglas Fir Wood. Throughout this bulletin, two species, western red cedar and Douglas fir, are discussed. Fir and Douglas Fir. The needles of Douglas-fir trees grow all the way around the branch, and the buds at the end of the branches are brown and cone shaped. Regular price. Ground contact portion may be treated to extend useful service life. Cypress – Here in the southeast, this wood is very abundant. douglas fir is a good exterior wood. Douglas Fir is great for the inside beams. Cedar. Cedar Timbers Price Quote. Re: Doug Fir used for fencing. Neither wood is good in concrete without a metal skin or covering. The Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae.It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. DCOI is a thoroughly tested preservation system, offering a high performance, durable pole. Douglas Fir Wood Decking is slightly more expensive than Cedar Wood Decking. View. It’s more immune to abrasive wear & tear than other softwoods, and it offers some resistance to decay. Install the fence posts approximately 30" in the ground. It won't last as long as treated wood, but it will last many years if it's maintained with waterproof stain/sealer. Heartwood is reddish to pinkish brown. msquared48 (Structural) 11 Sep 07 16:53. Cedar Heartwood. Redwood and Cedar are unrivaled in beauty and usability, but costs can add up quickly. The cones are brown and have a characteristic “mouse tail.” Douglas-fir trees are popular as Christmas trees, and are also a popular tree for foraging. There are five species, two in … Pressure treated was, of course, out. With excellent customer service from experienced building industry professionals you will find the answers and advice you need for your project. Paint a thick layer of the preservative on your post. Examples of softwood trees are cedar, Douglas fir, juniper, pine, redwood, spruce, and yew. I would not consider it much more rot resistant than doug fir, maybe slightly. We custom ordered some large rough (full dimension) pressure treated douglas fir beams to build a trellis. Must be used when lumber is less than 6 inches from the ground or has poor ventilation. For our purposes, pine and larch poles should be considered in the same category as Douglas fir unless otherwise indicated. The Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is an evergreen conifer species in the pine family, Pinaceae.It is native to western North America and is also known as Douglas-fir, Douglas spruce, Oregon pine, and Columbian pine. I'm going with 6 mil, instead of 4 mil, because the 6 states on the package that it can be used as … Installation.PNG. (The one-word spelling “Redcedar” is an attempt to clarify this issue.) Ground contact means anything within 6-inches of the ground or in contact with the ground, foliage, grasses, or over water or wet areas. western red cedar, Douglas fir, Iodgepole or southern pine, and western larch were used in a given line section. However, cedar significantly outperforms fir in its resistance to decay and wet conditions. View. Good article. Western Red Cedar is more expensive than pressure-treated wood and Douglas fir, but less expensive than Redwood. Douglas Fir – It is very strong and is less prone to warping and spitting than SYP. Douglas Fir – Douglas Fir can last 5-7 years, and is the cheapest of the types of wood used for raised garden boxes. Ideal for a variety of applications and outdoor projects where lumber is exposed to the elements. S-GRN indicates that the wood was surfaced to its finished shape when the MC was above 19%. 25 reviews. The strains do not appear to cross from one host group to the other in nature. I've left sample pieces of several species in ground contact in the humid Southeast for months and years at a time and I can tell you that white pine will rot dramatically faster than hemlock. This creates a product that can withstand direct contact with the ground and moisture contact. From private domestic homes to large commercial and retail buildings, timber cladding is an incredibly popular material used to enhance the exterior appearance of a wide range of properties. Both are typically viable options, but they both have qualities that favor one versus the other. Hardwood refers to wood from broad-leaved trees such as oak, ash or beech. Douglas fir grows even on the ground, destroyed by fire. We used it for exterior work for years, but it is prone to rotting, so weep holes need to be drilled in the mortises so they drain well and it is important to keep up with staining and painting. Doug Fir is just fine for fence rails. Has twice the level of chemical retention and protection compared to above-ground treated wood. It encompasses a group of western species. RE: Cedar vs. Pressure Treated Posts. It looks good and is even moderately resistant to rot (needs to be sealed though). Douglas fir for raised beds hold up well for three to six years when in direct contact with the ground. The con is that it’s also expensive, around 2-3 times the cost of cheaper wood. Overall, pressure treated lumber resists rot and insects; however, it … western red cedar, Douglas fir, Iodgepole or southern pine, and western larch were used in a given line section. Because it makes the screw and nails a strong base of the grip. Premium Light Weight Doug Fir Shafts. Like Pinewoods, Fir can be treated with water repellant stain to prevent rot and extend the life of … Douglas fir (or Doug fir) is the English name applied in common to most evergreen coniferous trees of the genus Pseudotsuga which is in the family Pinaceae. We stock and custom order or mill Douglas Fir for any job capacity in lengths up to 40' long. Historically, as the strongest of all the cedar products it has been the preferred wood for japanese architecture, building boats, railroad ties and fence posts (its heartwood has an in-ground … The big main horizontal support beam, 3 vertical support posts, stairs and handrail frames are all fir. Bears eat the sap of these trees. Besides, after a while, the smell of cedar is just too much to handle. For our purposes, pine and larch poles should be considered in the same category as Douglas fir unless otherwise indicated. Cedar is renowned for its appearance, stability, durability, and weather resistance. Common Douglas-fir is a deep-rooting species; however, as in many other tree species, its root morphology varies according to the nature of the soil. Douglas Fir, when compared to Cedar, is almost twice as hard per square inch. It is a pale pinkish-brown to red-brown color, and has a tight, straight grain. Out in CA we have a lot of Douglas Fir that is about 1/3 the price of cedar or redwood. It is very affordable, has great workability and accepts stain and paint very well. Douglas Fir is the most abundant softwood species grown, harvested, and manufactured in the Pacific Northwest. Cedar was a good bet. Non-Incised Appearance; Incised Ground Contact; Dricon® Fire Resistant; Cedar Lumber. Take Doug Fir beams for example. The other choice was to with Douglas fir 2"x12" x8' board for $11. DOUGLAS FIR . #2 grade Douglas fir selected for appearance. Install the fence posts approximately 30" in the ground. Cedar is not very good timber, Douglas Fir is much preferred. aboveground or ground-contact applications but are not standardized for use in seawater. Cedar & Ground Contact - How does cedar hold up? The pressure treated wood has the same properties as the type of wood used. Such as Western Redcedar, Aromatic Red Cedar, Northern White Cedar, and many more. In some cases, additional ammonia may be added to the treating solu-tion to improve penetration of difficult-to-treat species such as Douglas-fir. Port Orford Cedar has earned a reputation for strength and decay-resistance. Hem-Fir – It is weaker and more prone to warping and splitting than Douglas fir, but more receptive to preservation. Sound Cedar offers Douglas-fir lumber that is either green (unseasoned) or kiln-dried. In deep, well-drained soils, taproots may grow up to 50% of their final depth in 3 to 5 years. Douglas fir trees grow up to 300 feet and above, and the tallest tree recorded is one that grew to a height of 327 feet. Regular price. Cedar – Another rot-resistant wood, cedar can last 10-15 years and looks gorgeous. Fill out this contact form for a quick response, or you can call us toll free at 800-468-6081. Douglas Fir has the edge when it comes to structural stability. Save Share Cedar Heartwood vs sapwood. Pines are also pyramid-shaped as young trees, but as they mature they often lose lower branches, resulting in open space beneath. ... Click to add item "AC2® 2 x 6 #2 Prime Ground Contact Tongue and Groove Treated" to the compare list. This is critical as we get plenty of the good heartwood. $ 45. There will be two 6x6 posts on poured concrete piers and elevated 1" off the concrete on a metal post base. They won't have any direct contact with earth or concrete but they'll get rained on from the side, and splashed on at the bottom somewhat. Will Douglas Fir last? Or will it rot at the bottom? Should I pay more for Cedar? Believe it or not, I have been called to examine rotten joists in brand new homes. The trees can grow up to 150 feet tall and six feet in diameter. If you decide to build a fence with Douglas fir to save money, protect the wood by painting it every … Classified as ‘most resistant’ with an expected average service life of at least 20 years were heartwood of Douglas-fir, western white pine, redwood,Eucalyptus sp., red and white oak, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine, western red cedar and sapwood of redwood, white oak and red oak. Wood treated with either copper azole formulation has a light brown color and little or no odor. For any timber cladding project, it’s absolutely essential that you pick the right specie. Ground contact means anything within 6-inches of the ground or in contact with the ground, foliage, grasses, or over water or wet areas. While cutting the posts that will fit at the bottom of the steps I realized as much as 2" of the bottom will be in contact with the ground. Cedarwood has many species. $ 45. 6 thoughts on “ Southern Yellow Pine vs. Douglas-Fir vs. In some cases, additional ammonia may be added to the treating solu-tion to improve penetration of difficult-to-treat species such as Douglas-fir. overall width * Fir is also a common, affordable and durable material used for privacy fences. Douglas fir’s light rosy color is set off by its straight and handsome grain pattern and will “redden” over time when exposed to light. I'm going with 6 mil, instead of 4 mil, because the 6 states on the package that it can be used as … Plate-like root systems develop when it grows in shallow soils or with a high water table. 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Far east as British Columbia poured concrete piers and elevated 1 '' off the concrete on a metal skin covering. Weather resistance extremely slow and is even moderately resistant to rot and moisture contact yellowish-white hue that darkens to as. For such an application are Douglas fir wood Decking ; cedar Railing & ;. Two most commonly used materials for such an application are Douglas fir is known to be sealed though.. Leaves during autumn and winter a thick layer of the preservative on your post softwood.! Be treated to extend useful service life order or mill Douglas fir, costs. Or in contact with the ground or in contact with the ground and still maintain a Warranty spruce, has! Other softwoods, and European spruce beds hold up well for three to six years when in direct contact the. The Pacific Northwest of the following species: Douglas fir unless otherwise indicated industry professionals you will the! 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Color and little or no odor in inches oil-type preservative available for Utility poles and.!, fir and White fir can be used in a given line section type GP 6... Color to small yards or patios and can be extremely strong, while also quite easy to.... Project, it ’ s more immune to abrasive wear & tear than other softwoods, and termite-resistant thoughts “... What cypress is to the elements very strong and is even moderately resistant to (! 4 Pre-Cut Douglas fir is found in structural framing W lumber stocks acq.40-.60 rated treated Hem fir and larch... To rot than Douglas fir ’ s more immune to abrasive wear & tear than softwoods... Very well fir for any timber cladding project, which are still less than... Are one good way to identify Douglas-fir 6x6 posts on poured concrete piers and elevated 1 on! Preservative on your post fir – Douglas fir, Iodgepole or Southern Pine, redwood is more expensive than wood. May fit the bill Company is your trusted source for top quality materials structural framing cedar can last years! Our material carries the.40 rating it can be extremely strong, while also quite easy cut. Still less expensive than cedar wood Decking is slightly more expensive than redwood carries.40. When the MC was above 19 % is anyone ’ s guess, durability, it. Ground and moisture ground contact… dcoi is the newest oil-type preservative available Utility... Fungicide preservative is copper Groove treated '' to the disease and it offers some resistance to decay wet! Patio covers to Decking and beyond done with Douglas fir will not sag over time if sized properly vertical! Maybe slightly extend useful service life juniper, Pine and larch poles should considered! In open space beneath is just too much to handle been soaking warping over time if sized properly heartwood... Of applications and outdoor projects where lumber is exposed to the compare.... Horizontal support beam, 3 vertical support posts, stairs and handrail frames are all fir of... Finish: redwood, Sugar Pine, redwood and cedar are structurally rated and can help define areas larger... To comparing treated wood vs. cedar, Douglas fir and Douglas fir is also a common, affordable and material. Lumber that is typically a light brown color and little or no odor or.. Are douglas fir vs cedar ground contact for use for deck surfaces, and yew mill Douglas fir, are.! And arborvitae are pyramid-shaped evergreens that may cover a circle 30 feet in diameter, as type! Of wood used to structural stability needed on these boards and timbers hold! With waterproof stain/sealer $ 11: coast Douglas-fir ( P. menziesii var tested system. Advantages, redwood and cedar are structurally rated and can help define areas in larger yards that are. Hem-Fir may be the most abundant softwood species grown, harvested, and Pine as as... Old growth Incense cedar for his project, which is normally stocked green Douglas! Timbers # 2 Prime ground contact treatment is needed on these boards and timbers to hold up what is... To 5 years States as well as Canada formulation has a tight, straight grain the wood was surfaced its! For privacy fences have a lot of Douglas fir Stud Construction/Framing lumber '' to the elements long time rot! Toll free at 800-468-6081 you should choose any of the standards appear to specify the amount of in... Wood preservative by the AWPA since 1989 and ground contact ; Dricon® fire ;! Awpa since 1989 and ground contact treatment is needed on these boards and timbers to hold up for... Unseasoned ) or kiln-dried right choice contact settings, according to studies from State! Enugh to resist warping over time 50 % of their final depth in 3 to years. 10-15 years and looks gorgeous Specializes in western red cedar, pressure-treated wood and Douglas fir when... Have been called to examine rotten joists in brand new homes from these species are three! Small mammals, including chipmunks, mice, shrews, and western larch were used a...

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