Douglas Fir Flooring Durability

Durability of douglas fir hardwood flooring douglas fir is a very durable hardwood flooring option.

Douglas fir flooring durability.

Frank lloyd wright used the two interchangeably she says. Douglas fir sets the standard by which other framing materials are measured and is ideal for structures that need to withstand high winds or earthquakes. Fsc douglas fir flooring a distinctive feature of pacific northwest homes douglas fir was the building material of choice in our region in the late 1800 s and early 1900 s. Many of these buildings still boast their original doug fir flooring and many other have had this appealing and durable flooring installed in the decades since.

Guide to natural durability and treatability of selected wood species of importance in europe. Flooring is one of the most common uses of the wood especially in the west where douglas fir is still widely available. We need only look to the early twentieth century houses of the pacific northwest many of which have douglas fir floors that have retained their quality for nearly 100 years in order to see this. Douglas fir will last for decades with moderate maintenance regular sweeping an occasional cleaning.

Janka hardness is commonly used to determine a wood s durability especially in relation to flooring but it is not an absolute determinant. The pros and cons of softwood flooring if you re in the market for a wood floor in a low traffic room don t ignore the rustic charm and extremely low cost of softwoods like pine. As with any wood when the grain is tighter the wood is harder. Douglas fir clears are renowned for their strength durability and ability to stand up to the elements.

The stiffness quality makes it good for. Natural durability of solid wood. How to use douglas fir once laid it can be treated with a white lye solution to enhance its naturally light coloring and increase its durability. Carol goodwin of goodwin heart pine in micanopy florida says fir compares in density with antique heart cypress.

When it comes to general strength oak is also the winner but fir is more workable. In addition to its strength douglas fir has rich coloring with the heartwood aging to a dark tan red color and the sap wood remaining light tan. The janka rating for red oak the softer of the two oaks is 1 220 pounds force while that for douglas fir is only 620 which is a little more than half.