What is Douglas wood?
Larch Douglas wood comes from the Douglas fir and grows in Europe, but it is not a native species. Originally, this type of wood comes from the western part of North America, where it is called Oregon Pine. The Oregon Pine trees can reach a height of 90 meters there. In Europe, the wood is named "Douglas" after the Scottish botanist Sir David Douglas, who introduced the seeds of the Oregon Pine to Europe in 1827 for the first time.
Douglas wood is applicable in various constructions. It is particularly suitable for constructions that will be exposed to the weather. Think of terraces, verandas, canopies, cladding, fences, outdoor kitchens, and outdoor furniture.
Durability
Larch Douglas wood falls into durability class 3. This means it is a solid durable type of wood that can last 10-15 years. Wood is classified into 5 durability classes; the faster it shows signs of mould or rot in outdoor applications, the lower the durability class will be. Durability class 1, for example, is Azobé, while European Oak falls into class 2-3.
The increased durability is due to the high percentage of heartwood formed. Heartwood has favourable durable properties compared to sapwood. The heartwood contains resin and hardens over time. A fungus that can ultimately lead to the wood rotting has less impact on the wood due to these properties, allowing it to last longer.
Properties
The heartwood of Douglas is usually a light yellow-red (orange) color that eventually changes to gray due to light and air exposure, giving Douglas wood a warm appearance. All types of wood discolour over time, but Douglas wood generally discolours faster compared to other wood types. Due to the open structure and the natural drying of the wood, small cracks or hairline cracks can sometimes occur. This does not detract from the quality and is characteristic of the robust nature and appearance of this wood type.
The wood may contain resin pockets. You can treat this by allowing the resin to harden and then sanding it off. Do not rub or sand it before it has fully hardened.
About Douglas wood and treatment
Douglas wood is naturally dried, produced locally in the Netherlands, and is also FSC certified. You can choose from four surface finishes: finely sawed, planed, groove/smooth, or coarse ribbed/flat.
Douglas wood does not need to be treated. If you want to preserve the colour for a bit longer, you can treat the bench and table with Douglas oil; this should be done immediately and must be repeated regularly. Adding colour to the bench and table can be done with Douglas stain, which is purely for achieving a different colour and will not extend the lifespan of the wood.
Here you can read more about Douglas fir wood!
Impregnated Spruce Wood
What is Spruce wood? Spruce refers to the wood that comes from the Norway spruce, a tree from the pine family. The trees are found in Northern and Central Europe and are also well-known to most people as Christmas trees. The wood is easy to work with, and the spruce planks, beams, and posts are often relatively cheaper than other types of wood, such as hardwood or Douglas wood. Spruce has a light yellow colour and turns yellow-brown when used outdoors. By impregnating the wood, it acquires a light green colour.
Durability
Untreated spruce has a durability class of 4 and an expected lifespan of 5 to a maximum of 10 years when used indoors. Impregnated spruce used outdoors has a durability class of 4-3 and an expected lifespan of 5 to a maximum of 10 years. Please note! This information applies to our climate conditions, and in reality, deviations may occur as every situation is different.
Properties
Due to the natural drying after impregnating the wood, small cracks and splits may also occur in the wood. These are drying cracks; they have no influence on the lifespan or structural properties of the wood. Wood works, meaning it shrinks in the summer and expands in the winter. The wood may contain resin pockets. You can treat this by allowing the resin to harden and then sanding it away; do not rub or sand before it is fully hardened.
Applications of Spruce Wood
Spruce wood can be effectively used outdoors, provided it is properly treated and assembled. Applications such as log cabins, flower boxes, and garden furniture are common uses for this type of wood.
