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Fir

Domestic Species Focus: Douglas Fir Wood

Last updated on June 5, 2017 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

In addition to the many domestic and exotic hardwood species, tropical decking, and hardwood plywood which we carry, we also supply our customers with some select softwoods species, including Douglas Fir. Particularly for those customers who require timber framing and exposed beams, Douglas Fir has become a favorite species. As the popularity of such styles continues to soar, we expect our inventory for this premium domestic softwood species to keep pace with the market demand. Why are Douglas Fir timbers so ideal? Let’s take a look!

Douglas Fir Details

Like another domestic softwood species, Western Red Cedar, Douglas Fir can be classified by whether it grows along the coast or along the Rocky Mountains. Unlike Western Red Cedar, though, one area seems to produce superior Douglas Fir. Because Coastal Douglas Fir trees grow to be much larger and produce more structural timbers, we carry only that variety.

Douglas Fir timber truss roof

Like many lumber species, the name “Douglas Fir” is a bit of a misnomer; it’s not a Fir, at all. The lumber is similar to Hemlocks, though, with cream-colored earlywood, red-brown latewood, and extremely straight grain. The overall effect of the different-colored lines is a generally warm, orange appearance. The distinct lines separate areas of varying hardness, causing some challenges to milling; as a result, tool edges need to be kept extremely sharp to prevent splintering and tear out.

While exposed beams and timber framing are popular uses for Douglas Fir, other applications include rustic-looking paneling and flooring as well as exterior siding.

Douglas Fir Inventory

At J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber, we always ensure top quality by purchasing our Douglas Fir directly from mills in western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest; we then offer Douglas Fir lumber in both common construction sizes and structural timbers. Due to the growing demand for large timbers and the challenges of moving such large materials across the country, J. Gibson McIlvain maintains a sizable inventory of Douglas Fir on both the East Coast and the West Coast. That system allows us to deliver Douglas Fir structural timbers anywhere in the country, without extensive amounts of lead time.

We carry rough-sawn Douglas Fir lumber in your choice of kiln-dried or radio frequency kiln-dried forms. Our in-house millworks can manufacture any paneling, trim, or mouldings you require, and we can ship those items to your job site, along with any hardwood plywood and other lumber you may need.

Douglas Fir boards which we typically stock include the following common construction sizes: 4/4, 5/4, and 8/4 Rough 4”-12” (kiln dried, vertical grain); 1×4-1×12 (C and better S4S); 2×4-2×12 (C and better S4S); 1×4-1×12 (CVG S4S); 4” and 6” Tongue and Grooved Beaded edge. In addition, we keep an inventory of 4-3 x 4-12 structural timbers in #1 Appearance and Select Grades, Freed of Heart Center.

Learn More About the Wood Industry

• Understanding Douglas Fir’s Strengths & Weaknesses
• Comparing Douglas Fir with Western Red Cedar

J. Gibson McIlvain Company

Since 1798, when Hugh McIlvain established a lumber business near Philadelphia, the McIlvain family has been immersed in the premium import and domestic lumber industry. With its headquarters located just outside of Baltimore, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company (www.mcilvain.com) is one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods.

As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world, including the White House, Capitol building, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian museums.

Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.

Filed Under: Fir

Log Home and Timber Frame Provisions

Last updated on October 2, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

Log homes and timber frame construction provide unique settings in which to showcase massive specimens of lumber and craftsmanship. They echo with nostalgia for a bygone era in which pegged joints and solid wood joinery were appreciated as they should be. The strength required of thick posts and gigantic trusses elicit feelings of awe. As timber frame construction ventures beyond the scope of rustic homes, the industry is on the rise. However, the sheer length and quantity of appearance-grade lumber required can sometimes be difficult to obtain. Luckily, the longtime lumber specialists at J. Gibson McIlvain Lumber consistently provide the Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar that is suitable for this industry.

A premier log home or building with timber framing begins with premium raw materials. The large timbers and specialty products required for these projects necessitate a seller who prizes quality and attention-to-detail as much as master craftsmen do. When it comes to pegged and draw-bored mortise and tenon joints, only the best lumber will do. At J. Gibson McIlvain, we take quality control seriously.

As the timber of choice for structural parts, Douglas Fir boasts excellent strength and weather resistance. Because these trees quickly grow to great heights and widths, they’re easily available—a key factor when large lengths and widths are needed. Widths such as 8”x8” or even 12”x12” are common, as are lengths of 25 feet and longer. The tight grain of Douglas Fir finishes well, making it an ideal species for timber framing needs. One downside for a Midwest or East Coast supplier is that Douglas Fir grows only in the Pacific Northwest, making shipping such large timbers difficult and expensive with some suppliers. Other suppliers, though, like McIlvain, offer nationwide shipping, thus eliminating this drawback.

For lovers of that rustic look, White Oak may be more desirable. Strong and weather-resistant like Douglas Fir, this species is also plentiful enough to meet demand.

With the structural parts taken care of, there are still more raw materials needed. Hardwood flooring, paneling, mouldings, doors, and windows all require lumber that matches the design. Some within the timber frame industry outsource those aspects of the build, while others do all the work in-house to achieve optimal design continuity. Both builders and subcontractors require lumber providers that keep inventories of various sizes and species available and ready to ship.

J. Gibson McIlvain can provide for all the needs of timber frame and log home builders. In fact, we even have a buyer dedicated exclusively to this distinct market. This expert is responsible for sourcing and maintaining structural timbers with the highest appearance grade. We keep timbers with widths topping 32 inches and lengths of 40 feet, ready to be shipped to your job site at any time. We understand the industry’s needs, and we stand ready to meet them each and every time we’re given the opportunity.

For over 200 years, McIlvain has provided the nation’s most discerning customers with the highest quality lumber in the world. From domestic and exotic hardwoods and softwoods to plywoods and custom millwork, McIlvain has the lumber products and services that you need to help make your next project a success. For more information on what sets McIlvain apart, to request a free quote, or to see their full line of top-quality lumber, click here to visit them online. And for insider tips and woodworking tricks, check out these selections from their blog:

  •  Is B-Grade Lumber Worthwhile?
  • Lumber Industry Finds Itself on the Cusp of Change
  • Is Your Lumber Supplier in Compliance With the Lacey Act?

Filed Under: Fir

Undercover Christmas Trees

Last updated on September 25, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

One of the first things to go after Christmas Day is the tree. But for some individuals, Christmas trees never truly leave their homes. Although the twinkling lights are gone, undercover Christmas trees still remain an integral part of their houses. These multipurpose Douglas Fir trees support the frames of many houses, and are also used as protective siding. Prized for its strength, grain integrity, and length (among many other positive characteristics), the Douglas Fir forms the backbone of many construction projects while also adding grandeur and rugged charm.

Characteristics

The varied structural applications fulfilled by Douglas Fir ensure a prized position in the construction industry. This lumber is mechanically stable due to its tall, straight growth, and the tree has a straight, dense grain with little susceptibility to warping and splitting. The integrity of Douglas Fir is second to none, especially when “Old Growth” lumber is available. The tight growth ring patterns and clear vertical grain contribute to excellent stability and durability.

Douglas Fir, which boasts warm yellow, orange, and pink tones (depending on its age), is also prized for its appearance. Many homeowners choose to leave their Douglas Fir timbers exposed for a rugged, classic look. Log cabins are especially reliant on Douglas Fir to lend an earthy feel to the home’s decor.

Additionally, Douglas Fir also accepts stains, paints, and finishes very well, further enhancing the wood’s versatility.

Applications

Builders and designers both seek out Douglas Fir for beauty, strength, and versatility. Custom homes, cabinets, doors, outdoor projects, millwork, and wood paneling are just a few of the many Douglas Fir applications. J. Gibson McIlvain, one of the nation’s oldest lumber suppliers, carries 13 Douglas Fir items for all manner of construction and custom applications.

Varieties

There are two types of Douglas Fir commonly used for most applications, but one type, Coastal Douglas Fir, pulls forward as the front-runner. Coastal Douglas Fir has a tendency towards larger growth and a higher yield of structural timbers. Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir, while still commonly used, is a smaller tree, and although it has the same mechanical stability as Coastal Douglas Fir, the Rocky Mountain variety has a slower growth rate, making it a less sustainable choice.

Suppliers

Mills throughout British Columbia, Canada, and the western United States supply McIlvain Company with an ample stock of lumber all year round. McIlvain’s in-stock items are deliverable anywhere in the United States via their personal trucks. Leaders in the lumber industry for over 200 years, McIlvain Company stands ready to answer all of your lumber-related questions and to help you source the best type of wood for your next project. For more information on why McIlvain is one of the country’s favorite lumber wholesalers, visit them online today, or check out these selections from their lumber blog:

  •  Is the lumber industry bad for the environment?
  • Short lumber is undiscovered gold
  • What you need to know about hardwood lumber grades

Filed Under: Fir

Characteristics of Douglas Fir

Last updated on September 18, 2013 by Sozo Staff Leave a Comment

douglas fir timberDouglas Fir, a type of evergreen tree, is native to the western half of North America. There are two main species of Douglas Fir that occur naturally in North America. The first is the Coastal Douglas Fir, whose growing region spans the length of the Western coast from central British Columbia in Canada down into northern California in the US. The second variety of the tree is the Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir, and its growing region reaches further inland and includes such states as Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho, among others. Other varieties of the tree have been introduced into more temperate regions of the country and have become popular as decorative Christmas trees.

The Douglas Fir is not technicaly a Fir at all, despite its name, and, historically, the tree was subject to a number of classifications before ultimately being given its own genus name, Pseudotsuga Menziesii. Douglas Firs enjoy several other nicknames, including, among others, Alpine Hemlock, Douglas Pine, Douglas Spruce, Gray Douglas, Green Douglas, Black Fir, Hallarin, Montana Fir, and Oregon Pine.

Generally, Douglas Firs tend to thrive in soils with a PH of about 5-6 and in areas that receive a large amount of direct sunlight. In these conditions, the tree usually grows to a height of 40-60 feet, but in the Pacific Northwest, the Douglas Fir’s original habitat, trees with heights of over 200 feet are not uncommon. The tree is conical in shape, and its base can reach widths of 15-25 feet. (To see a detailed chart of Douglas Fir specifications, such as Janka hardness rating, impact strength, and stiffness, visit the following webpage.)

Even in the best conditions, Douglas Firs must withstand some extreme climates. Because of this, the lumber from the trees tends to be extremely durable, and Douglas Fir lumber is therefore frequently used in timber framing applications.

Another characteristic that makes Douglas Fir so attractive to the timber framing industry is its unique appearance. The lumber has a distinctly orange hue, due to the combination of the earlywood’s yellow color and the more mature wood’s reddish cast.

Additionally, the grain of Douglas Fir lumber tends to be relatively straight, which the timber framing industry finds very desirable. The knots prevalent in Douglas Fir lumber are not suited to every industry’s appearance standards, but they lend themselves perfectly to the rustic appearance of log cabins and timber framing applications. In addition to its popularity in the timber framing industry, Douglas Fir is also frequently employed in paneling, exterior siding, and flooring applications.

J. Gibson McIlvain, a wholesale lumber supplier, provides a wide variety of douglas fir timber sizes and ships wholesale orders nationwide.

Filed Under: Fir

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