Douglas Fir &

Western Larch
Pseudotsuga menziesii &
Larix occidentalis
Douglas Fir & Western Larch
Pseudotsuga menziesii & Larix occidentalis

RANGE, GROWTH HABITS and PRODUCTION

Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is not a true fir at all, nor a pine or spruce. It is a distinct
species named after Archibald Menzies, a Scottish physician and naturalist who first discovered
the tree on Vancouver Island in 1791, and David Douglas, the Scottish botanist who later iden-
tified the tree in the Pacific Northwest in 1826. The species is known by a number of common
names including Oregon Pine, British Columbian Pine, Red Fir and even Douglastree; however,
the U.S. Forest Service settled on Douglas Fir some years ago. Douglas Fir is North America’s
most plentiful softwood species, accounting for one fifth of the continent’s total softwood
reserves.
Western Larch (Larix occidentalis), sometimes called Mountain Larch or Western Tamarack,
was discovered in 1806 in western Montana. However, it remained for the botanist Thomas
Nuttall to recognize and describe the tree as a previously unclassified species in 1834. It is Douglas Fir trees are among
one of only two conifers that sheds its needles in the winter, with new needles developing the tallest on the continent,
second only to coastal red-
in spring. Western Larch is native to eastern Oregon and Washington, Idaho, Montana, and
woods. They average from
southern interior British Columbia. Like Douglas Fir, it is among the strongest and hardest 150´ to 200´ in height, from
softwood species. 2´ to 6´ in diameter and are
Douglas Fir timberlands are the most productive softwood timberlands* in the U.S. in terms found at elevations ranging
from sea level to 6,000 feet.
of volume per acre. More softwood lumber is produced in Oregon than in any other state due
in large part to the predominance of Douglas Fir in its coastal forests. Known as the “timber
basket,” where systematic replanting has been documented since 1912, the Northwestern
region is governed by some of the world’s toughest environmental laws providing protection
for habitat, watersheds, soils and biological diversity, thus fostering a multiplicity of forest
values in perpetuity. Reforestation and management practices are not voluntary, they are
enforced by law.
In the West, timber for products is managed primarily in natural stands, on long rotations.
There are approximately 34.6 million acres of Douglas Fir managed primarily in natural stands.
Although production is much greater in Douglas Fir, the two species account for more than
Coast DF 74%
45 percent of all Western softwood produced annually.
Each year, more than 1.5 billion tree seedlings are planted in the U.S.—some five new trees Inland DF-L 25%

for each American. Nationally, annual forest growth has continually exceeded harvest since South DFS 1%
the 1940s. In the West, forest growth exceeds harvest by 35 percent or more each year.
Douglas Fir lumber products are identified by region. Products from trees growing west of In 2000, “Coast” Douglas
the Cascade Crest to the Pacific Ocean, the most abundant region for Douglas Fir, are simply Fir (DF) from Washington,
Oregon and northern Cali-
identified as “DF” on the grade stamp. East of the Cascades, Western Larch grows intermixed
fornia, the primary growth
with Douglas Fir. The two species are often kept separate in appearance grade products area, accounted for 74%
but are combined in dimension products and marketed as “DF-L”. Because Douglas Fir and of the species’ production;
Western Larch share nearly identical structural characteristics and physical working proper- combined production of
Douglas Fir and Western
ties, the two species are interchangeable in dimension products.
Larch (DF-L) from the
A smaller volume of products originates from Douglas Fir growing in Arizona, Colorado, northern “Inland Empire”
Nevada, New Mexico and Utah. These are identified on the grade stamp as “DF S ”. Douglas Fir area, east of the crest of
grown in Canada is identified as Douglas Fir North or “D Fir (N)” as shown on the grade stamp. the Cascade Mountains,
accounted for 25%; and
Douglas Fir and Western Larch lumber users may look to the registered grade mark production in Douglas
of the Western Wood Products Association (WWPA) for quality, accountability and Fir South (DFS ) from the
southern inland area
performance assurance on lumber produced from the Western Woods region.
accounted for 1%.

Cover: Douglas Fir french

doors courtesy of Simpson
* Timberland is forested area producing or capable of producing crops of industrial wood and not with-
Mastermark Doors.
drawn from timber utilization by statute or administrative regulation. Any reference to standing volumes
of sawtimber or acres of multiple-use timberland available for timber products in this text do not include
any of the forested land that is permanently set aside, protected from harvesting. © 2002 WWPA 3
 D
S DOUG. WWPA is the leading association of lumber manufacturers in the West and one of the
FIR FIR-L largest lumber trade associations in the world. WWPA is the only lumber agency in the U.S.
Douglas Fir Douglas Fir- recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) as a Foreign
Western Larch
Testing Organization (FTO) and is authorized to certify mills and provide quality control super-
S vision for gradestamping to Japanese Agricultural Standards: JAS 600–Japanese Dimension
D
FIR Grades, JAS 702–Japanese MSR grades, and JAS 143 & JAS 1842/1892–Japanese traditional
Western Larch Douglas Fir- post-and-beam construction grades. In addition, WWPA gradestamped National Grade Rule
South
(NGR) Dimension lumber is recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and
Transportation (formerly Ministry of Construction) for use in wood-frame construction.
WWPA is an approved Certification Body under the United Kingdom (UK) Timber Grading
Committee. Therefore, WWPA gradestamped MSR lumber, NGR Dimension lumber, WWPA
Heavy Timber grades and UK structural grades are accepted for use in timber construction in
the UK and many other European countries.

Moisture Content and Seasoning

As wood loses or gains moisture, it will shrink or swell until it reaches equilibrium with the
constantly changing level of moisture in the air of its immediate environment. All lumber
benefits from some degree of “seasoning,” i.e. letting it adjust to the humidity conditions of
The bark of a young
its surrounding atmosphere before it is installed. Because of its cell structure, wood shrinks
Douglas Fir is smooth, gray
and thin, but turns brown- primarily in width and thickness and very little in length.
ish red, thick and deeply Douglas Fir is unique among all softwood species in that it is naturally dimensionally sta-
fissured as the tree ages. ble, having the ability to season well in position. Many builders prefer to cut, nail and fasten
Douglas Fir in the “green” or unseasoned condition, allowing it to air dry during construction.
As a result, Coastal Douglas Fir structural lumber is often shipped unseasoned (indicated by
S-GRN on the grade stamp). Framing lumber 2˝ and less (nominal size) in thickness can be
shipped after seasoning to a moisture content of 19% or less, which is indicated by S-DRY, KD
or KD-HT on the grade stamp. S-DRY can mean kiln dried or air seasoned, while KD and KD-HT
specifically mean kiln dried. Regional market conditions and building trade preferences dic-
tate local availability of dry or green products.
For millwork, remanufacturing applications or glued products, Douglas Fir is dried in tem-
perature and humidity-controlled kilns or stacked and air dried until its moisture content (MC)
reaches the desired level for an intended purpose.
The term “dry” can be confusing in lumber terminology. In structural grades, “DRY” indicates
a product was either kiln- or air-dried to a 19% or less moisture content level prior to surfacing.
However, in appearance products (e.g. the FINISH and SELECT grades), “DRY” is defined in
the Western Lumber Grading Rules as being a maximum of 15% MC and in these grades, 85%
of the items will be shipped with a MC level of 12% or less.

For additional information refer to WWPA’s Western Lumber Product Use Manual, Natural
Wood Siding, Lumber Storage, and Dimensional Stability publications.

Western Larch typically GRADING

grows up to 200 feet high,
diameter up to five feet. The WWPA grade stamp assures conformance of the graded piece with its applicable WWPA
The bark is thick and scaly, Western Lumber Grading Rules. WWPA is an accredited lumber rules-writing and grading
and the needles pale or
agency of the American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC) under the jurisdiction of the
bright green, turning yellow
in autumn. While classified U.S. Department of Commerce. The Association is certified to grade and inspect lumber accord-
as a resinous wood, it con- ing to its own Western Lumber Grading Rules, and also to the West Coast Lumber Inspection
tains only scattered resin Bureau’s (WCLIB) West Coast Lumber Standard Grading Rules, the Pacific Lumber Inspec-
ducts, pitch streaks, and
tion Bureau’s Export R List Rules, the National Lumber Grading Authority’s (NLGA)
pitch pockets. It has a fine,
uniform straight grain with Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber, the Redwood Inspection Service’s (RIS)
a slightly oily appearance. Standard Specifications for Grades of California Lumber and the Southern Pine Inspection
Western Larch has a bright Bureau’s (SPIB) NGR and Scaffold Plank portion of the Standard Grading Rules for Southern
reddish-brown heartwood
Pine Lumber. These rules provide lumber users with a dependable measure for determining the
and the sapwood is whitish,
with a slightly rosy to straw- quality and uniformity of lumber as well as its performance capabilities.
brown cast.

4
 Douglas Fir is a shade-intol-
erant species, meaning full
sunlight is required for sur-
vival. West of the Cascade
mountain range, DF dom-
inates the vast stands of
timber accounting for 90%
or more of the trees in a
forested area. Disturbance
in the form of wildfires,
volcanic eruptions, earth-
quakes and landslides
has perpetuated these
forests in Douglas Fir for
centuries. Today, foresters
mimic the cycles of natural
disturbance and renewal,
managing these abundant
timberlands primarily in
natural stands for a vari-
ety of forest values. The
commercial timberlands of
the Pacific Northwest are
Lumber grades, assigned on the basis of visual inspection and/or mechanical testing, are among the most productive
in the world. They are also
divided into three basic classifications which reflect the intended end uses:
governed by some of the
Structural lumber for residential, commercial and industrial uses is graded for its performance world’s toughest forest
in load bearing or load-carrying applications. Physical working characteristics are the prima- practice laws fostering their
sustainability in perpetuity.
ry considerations and appearance is secondary. These products are typically gradestamped
with the following information:
1. registered trademark or logo of WWPA,
2. mill name or mill number identifying the origin
of the product,
3. moisture content designation at the time of surfacing,
4. species or species combination, and
5. grade name.
Appearance grades are assigned to lumber intended for applications where appearance is the
most important factor. These grades cover products ranging from the exquisitely beautiful to the
most utilitarian. They may be sold as SELECTS, FINISH or COMMON boards, run-to-pattern
for siding and paneling products, or used for a variety of purposes. The grades of appearance
products are often certified by written documentation rather than marked on the lumber. Some
products may be identified or gradestamped on the back side or ends, but the highest grades are
rarely stamped to avoid marring the beauty of the wood.
Factory and Shop grades are assigned to lumber intended to be recut, to recover the clear
portions in the piece for manufacturing into other wood products such as windows, doors and
cabinets, and for moulding, trim and specialty products.
While there are special categories within each of these broad classifications, nearly all lumber Grade stamp abbreviations
related to the moisture
grades fall within them. Douglas Fir products are available in all three classifications, Western
content level of lumber
Larch is available in structural and appearance grades, and many Douglas Fir products are avail- at the time of surfacing
able in special grades and sizes for international markets. include:

MC15 or KD15 for a

moisture content of
15% or less;

S-DRY, KD or KD-HT for a

moisture content of
19% or less;

S-GRN for unseasoned with

a moisture content
of more than 19%.

5
 PRODUCTS GRADED for STRUCTURAL APPLICATIONS

Characteristics and Attributes

When architects and engineers look for the best in structural lumber, their first choice
repeatedly is Douglas Fir. It is dimensionally stable and universally recognized for its superior
strength-to-weight ratio. Its high specific gravity provides excellent nail and plate-holding
ability. The species also enjoys a documented superior performance against strong forces
resulting from natural phenomena such as winds, storms and earthquakes. It is truly the ideal
structural and general purpose wood for framing lumber in residential, light commercial, mul-
tistory and industrial construction.
The Douglas Fir/Western Larch species combination is rated as one of the highest in mod-
ulus of elasticity (E or MOE) of the North American softwood species. This is the ratio of the
amount a piece of lumber will deflect in proportion to an applied load. It is a reflection of the
species’ high degree of stiffness, an important consideration in the design of floors and other
systems.
In strength properties, Douglas Fir/Western Larch is rated the highest of any Western soft-
wood for extreme fiber stress in bending (F b); for tension parallel-to-grain (Ft); for horizontal
sheer (Fv); for compression perpendicular-to-grain (Fc ); and for compression parallel-to-grain
Douglas Fir and Western
(Fc//).
Larch dimension products
are the ideal framing mate- These physical working properties, as well as the moderate durability of its heartwood and
rial. The combination of its excellent dimensional stability, provide the reasons many builders use Douglas Fir as the
high MOE and Fb design standard against which all other framing lumber is judged. It is also tight knotted and close-
values
grained, adding the bonus of beauty to its structural capabilities.
provides a high degree of
stiffness which is particular-
ly desirable in floor Refer to WWPA’s Product Use Manual and Western Lumber Span Tables for additional design informa-
systems. The higher grades tion and to WWPA’s Vol.1 Species Book: Dimension Lumber for color photographs of structural grades.
in this exceptionally strong
species group perform
Dimension Lumber
competitively with many
engineered products and Dimension lumber structural grades include surfaced softwood products of nominal thick-
are more economical. ness from 2˝ to 4˝ in thickness by 2 ˝ and wider. These grades are intended for use as general
framing members, including beams, joists, planks, rafters and studs.
The National Grading Rule for Dimension Lumber, published in the grading rules of all
ALSC-accredited rules-writing agencies, classifies dimension lumber into several basic size
categories related to intended end uses. Products are available in a variety of lengths, beginning
at six feet and increasing in multiples of two feet.
2x2 through 4x4:
Structural Light Framing grades in 2x2 through 4x4 of Douglas Fir and Western Larch fit
applications where the highest design values are needed in light framing sizes for engineered
systems, trusses and multistory projects.
Light Framing grades in 2x2 through 4x4 are the building stalwarts of residential and light
commercial construction. These grades are well suited for general framing applications such
as wall framing, plates, sills, cripples and blocking.
STUD grade is the backbone for most interior and exterior wall framing. Characteristics
affecting strength and stiffness values are limited, making STUD grade products perfectly
suited for vertical uses such as load-bearing walls. Douglas Fir and Western Larch studs
can be manufactured to the full basic length and double-end trimmed or may be preci-
sion-end trimmed to exact length. Some WWPA Member companies produce “wane-free”
studs.
2x5 through 4x18:
Structural Joists and Planks is a category of dimension lumber products (2x5 through 4x18)
intended to fit structural applications for lumber 5˝ and wider, such as floor joists, ceiling
joists, roof rafters, headers, small beams, trusses and general framing. Because of its structural
performance benefits, which rival many fabricated products, dry Douglas Fir is also often
selected for horizontal framing in multistory wood-frame buildings. Its combination of high
Fb and MOE values make it ideal for floor framing when stiffness is a critical factor.

6
 High-performance visually-
and mechanically-graded
products are well suited
for multistory and pre-
engineered applications.

Large Sizes Heavy framing applications

may be designed in both
Douglas Fir is one of the few species available in large sizes from managed timberlands. It conventional and pre-engi-
is preferred for heavy timber framing and large members are available in a variety of grades neered systems.
manufactured for construction uses where larger material is needed to meet the engineering
requirements of the design.
Beams & Stringers include products that are 5˝ and thicker (nominal) with a width more
than 2˝ greater than the thickness (i.e., 6x10, 8x12, etc.).
Posts & Timbers are 5x5 and larger (nominal) with a width not more than 2 ˝ greater than
the thickness (i.e., 6x6, 6x8, etc.).
Douglas Fir timbers are best known for their tough fiber, dense grain structure and strength.
They are additionally valuable for their rustic beauty and excellent “Heavy Timber” fire ratings
in the model building codes. Timbers are shipped unseasoned and may be specified rough cut or
surfaced four sides (S4S).

Engineered Lumber
Machine Stress-Rated (MSR) Lumber
Machine Stress-Rated (MSR) lumber is distinguished from visually
stress-graded dimension lumber in that each piece is nondestructively
tested with mechanical stress-rating equipment to measure its stiff-
ness and other physical working properties before it is subjected to
visual inspection. Standard sizes are 2˝ and less in thickness and 2˝
and wider with lengths 6´ and longer in multiples of two feet.
The grade stamp on MSR lumber indicates the machine stress-rat-
ing system used meets requirements of the grading agency’s certifica-
tion and quality control procedures. The grade stamp includes the
phrase “Machine Rated” along with the E and Fb ratings. The stamp
will also include the allowable tensile stress parallel-to-grain (Ft),
the horizontal shear (Fv) or compression perpendicular-to-grain (Fc ) design values when any of
these properties are specifically qualified. WWPA is one of the leading agencies certifying MSR
lumber.
Refer to WWPA’s MSR Lumber TIP Sheet for additional information.

7
Exposed, load-bearing glu-
lam beams bring handsome
elegance and a sense
of warmth to engineered
heavy-timber framing.

Truss and Component Applications

Douglas Fir MSR lumber is often selected for metal plate-connected trusses and other
engineered applications. However, it is also used for floor and ceiling joists, rafters and other
structural purposes where mechanically assessed strength and connection capabilities are
primary considerations. MSR lumber is available both seasoned and unseasoned.
Douglas Fir and Western Larch, in both visual and MSR grades, are used in roof and floor
trusses, for gable ends and wall panels, pre-cut wall framing packages, wall sub-components,
corners, doors, beams and frames. The exceptional stiffness, strength-to-weight ratio and
plate-holding superiority are well recognized by component manufacturers.

Structural-Glued Lumber Products

Western manufacturers produce a variety of Douglas Fir/Western
Larch glued products from dry and unseasoned lumber, including
end-jointed or finger-jointed lumber, end- and edge-glued boards,
millwork and mouldings, face-glued lumber and laminated stock.
These products make excellent use of short lengths, increasing
utilization of available timber resources.
Structural-glued dimension lumber has gained wide acceptance in
the building and construction industry. It has been accepted for use
under all model codes and is interchangeable with solid-sawn dimen-
sion lumber of the same size, grade and species. WWPA provides test-
ing and quality control inspections for glued products and certifies the manufacture of Douglas Fir
and Western Larch structural-glued dimension lumber under the following classifications: Light
Framing and STUDS, Structural Light Framing, Decking, Stress-Rated Boards and Structural
Joists and Planks.
Refer to WWPA’s Structural Glued Lumber TIP Sheet for additional information.

Stock for Laminated Beams

Structural performance is the hallmark of Douglas Fir, but the species is also visually beauti-
ful. When a design calls for large beams, long spans or unusually shaped arches as in churches,
bridges and stadiums, Douglas Fir is often specified. Structural-glued laminated Douglas Fir
and Western Larch beams are engineered for use as load-carrying horizontal framing for roofs,
floors and columns in residential, commercial, industrial and institutional structures as well as
for towers and marine installations. These glu-lam beams can be depended upon in industrial
plants, warehouses and factories, as well as in highly visual architectural settings that demand
8 uncompromising beauty.
 Laminating stock is 2˝ and thinner and 3˝ and wider and comes in five grades. It’s also avail- Resistant to wear and easy
to maintain, Douglas Fir
able as E-Rated structural laminations, which meets the visual grade requirements of L3 or better
appearance-grade products
structural lamination grades and is mechanically tested for long-span flatwise modulus of elastic- enhance both residential
ity (E). Structural laminations are specified rough or surfaced at various widths and thicknesses and commercial interior
up to 2˝ full. The wood is intended to be laid up longitudinally and bonded with adhesives. spaces.

Structural Decking/Subflooring
Structural decking is 2˝ to 4˝ thick by 4˝ and wider. This is primarily an industrial or residen-
tial or commercial roof or floor product and should not be confused with grades intended
for exterior residential decks. It is available in two grades: SELECTED DECKING (for fine visual
aesthetics) and COMMERCIAL DECKING (when appearance is not of primary importance).
Both grades can be used so that the face, or better side, will show the beauty of the wood,
such as in exposed ceilings. Decking is manufactured either at 19% (S-DRY, KD, or KD-HT) or
15% (MC15 or KD15) moisture content.
Standard decking patterns, in nominal 2˝ single tongue-and-groove (T&G) and 3˝ and 4˝
double T&G, are available with “V” or rounded edges, striated, grooved or in other patterns to
meet discriminating architectural requirements.
Douglas Fir factory floors, manufactured from dry decking, result in a smooth, even surface Structural decking grades
are available for exposed
so hand trucks won’t hang up and cracks and splintering won’t appear after heavy and con- applications (primarily
tinuous use. ceilings) and for use as
Some T&G decking is manufactured to pattern from NO.2 & BTR or NO.3, 2x6 or 2x8, S-GRN floors or subfloors.
framing lumber. These products are generally used for concealed residential subfloors in
crawl-space construction.

9
 PRODUCTS GRADED for APPEARANCE
Characteristics and Grades

COURTESY HOOD RIVER CHAIRS, OR.

For versatility and beauty, few woods in the world match the magnificence of Douglas Fir
and Western Larch. Unlike the structural grades, appearance lumber is milled and graded
according to aesthetic rather than structural performance criteria. Color, grain pattern, tex-
ture, knot type and size are the factors that influence the grade. For this reason Douglas Fir
and Western Larch are usually separated in the appearance grades and marketed as distinct
species to allow a larger range of visual choices for discriminating end users.
Douglas Fir’s light rosy color is set off by its remarkably straight and handsome grain
Clear, vertical grain DF is pattern. While similar, Western Larch is slightly darker in color. Of the two species, Douglas
often considered unsur-
passed for its combination
Fir is more widely available in the appearance grades. Both species will “redden” over time
of beauty and performance when exposed to light. Their tough fiber make both species difficult to work with hand tools.
in joinery. It also lends itself However, both respond admirably to sharp power tools and machine to an exceptionally
well to a variety smooth, glossy surface. Both paint easily and can hold all types of stains and finishes.
of finishes.
Moisture content levels are carefully controlled in the highest grades to ensure these pre-
mium products will meet the strict dimensional stability requirements of finish carpenters,
furniture manufacturers and cabinet makers. The less “perfect” grades are an economical
choice for many utilitarian applications.
Many designers and consumers agree the aesthetic appeal of clear, light, straight, verti-
cal-grain Douglas Fir is unsurpassed among the world’s softwood species. However, the high-
est appearance grades of Douglas Fir and Western Larch are manufactured from trees older
than those which yield primarily structural framing products. And while substantial volumes
of clear and nearly clear Douglas Fir are available from long-rotation, managed Western tim-
berlands, the clear grades are less abundant and considerably more expensive than knotty
grades.
Refer to WWPA’s Vol.2 Species Book: Boards and Commons for additional information and color photo-
graphs of appearance grades in a variety of Western species.

Douglas Fir is in demand for

its appearance and ability Interior and Exterior Trim, and Finish Board Materials
to accept adhesives, hold Appearance and dimensional stability are critical in interior and exterior trim and finish
fasteners and resist the
boards, whether in the clear or knotty grades. Douglas Fir’s characteristics make it ideal for
effects of scuffing, abrasion
and jarring under move- joinery: doors, millwork, window and door casings, mantels, stairs and baseboards. When dry,
ment in casework appli- it retains its shape and size and won’t check or show a raised grain. Additionally, Douglas Fir
cations. has an excellent performance record when used in exposed applications for exterior trim
without ground contact.

Clear and Knotty Grades

The highest grade categories, “Finish” and “Selects,” include the grades for clear and nearly
clear lumber in either vertical or flat grain. (If grain pattern is not specified, these grades will
be shipped as a mixed grain combination of vertical and flat grain.) Finish and Select grades
of Douglas Fir are recommended for interior trim and cabinet work with either natural, stain
or enamel finishes where the finest appearance is important.
Douglas Fir “Commons” (WWPA Rules) or “Alternate Boards” (WCLIB Rules) are typically
used for shelving, sheathing or run-to-pattern for siding and paneling. These products are
nominal 1˝ thickness, surfaced to 3/4,˝ and are generally gradestamped on the back or ends.
The highest grades are used where fine appearance in a knotty material is required, such as
Right: Richly-stained,
solid-sawn DF was used to for soffits, fascia, cornices, shelving or run-to-pattern for siding and paneling. Depending on
fabricate the sliding panels the criteria for the application, other grades in knotty products are used primarily in housing
and doors in this elegantly and light construction where wood is exposed for its beauty and character (e.g. shelving,
remodeled home. Portions
paneling, siding, fences, boxes) or for its utility and serviceability in crating, subfloors, roof
of the micro-lam beams of
the ceiling light soffits were and wall sheathing and concrete forms. The lowest grades are useful in applications where
encased with solid sawn economy is the basic requirement.
DF, other portions relied on
DF veneers to achieve the
design.

10
Douglas Fir-Larch is grade-
stamped in the “Structural Light
Framing” grades of SELECT
STRUCTURAL, NO.1 & BTR, NO.1,
NO.2 and NO.3. “Light Framing”
grades include CONSTRUCTION,
STANDARD and UTILITY. STUD
grade applies only to studs and
“Structural Joists and Planks”
including SELECT STRUCTURAL,
NO.1 & BTR, NO.1, NO.2 and
NO.3. DF-L is the strongest of the
Western softwoods and marketed
both S-GRN and DRY for framing
applications. Figure 1

Figure 1: SELECT STRUCTURAL

is the highest Structural Light
Framing grade — sound, firm,
encased and pith knots are limit-
ed, tight and well spaced.

Figure 2: STUD grade, suitable

for all load-bearing walls, places
limitations on crook, wane and
edge knots.

Appearance grades are based

on aesthetics. Highest quality
appearance grades include
“Selects” (B&BTR SELECT, C
SELECT, and D SELECT) and Figure 2
“Finish” (SUPERIOR, PRIME,
E). General purpose grades
include the “Common” Boards
(1 COMMON, 2 COMMON, 3
COMMON, 4 COMMON, and
5 COMMON) and “Alternate
Boards” graded under WCLIB
rules (SELECT MERCHANTABLE,
CONSTRUCTION, STANDARD,
UTILITY and ECONOMY).

Figure 3: SUPERIOR is the highest

grade (WWPA Rules) in the Finish
category of the appearance
grades. Many pieces are absolute-
ly clear. It is recommended and
widely used for interior trim and
cabinet work. Natural characteris-
tics and manufacturing imperfec-
tions are restricted, products are
always kiln dried. Figure 3

Figure 4: SELECT MERCHANTABLE

is the highest grade among the
Alternate Board grades (WCLIB
Rules) for general purpose
boards of a knotty appearance.
This grade is intended for use in
housing and general construction
where finest appearance in a
knotty product is desired.

12 Figure 4
 Length in Meters

Length in Feet
1

1
Douglas Fir sapwood is
white to pale yellow while
4 the heartwood is russet or
orange-red; the timber often
has a slight rosy cast with
distinct growth rings. When
5 freshly milled, timber has a
characteristic resinous odor.

6
Factory and Shop lumber
2 grades are intended to be
ripped and/or crosscut to
7 recover desirable pieces of
standard sizes for remanu-
facturing purposes. Products
are graded according to
WWPA, WCLIB and Export
R-List rules with other
options available through
9
buyer/seller agreement.
Products are carefully sea-
soned prior to surfacing.
3 Figure 5: NO.4 CLEAR, Export
10
R-List Rules, is a grade rec-
ommended and widely used
internationally as a general
11 purpose remanufacturing
product. Each piece is well
manufactured. Irregularities
on reverse face can be
12 slightly in excess of those
allowed on the face.

Figure 6: 6/4 RWL NO.1

13 SHOP, WWPA Rules, reflects
4
the grading principles
behind typical U.S facto-
ry-type lumber. This is a
14 grade that will yield from
50% to 70% of No.1 Door
Cuttings, except that pieces
containing one or more No.1
15
Door Cuttings will permit
one No.2 Stile. Not over two
Muntins are included in any
piece. The intended recovery
16
of standard-sized pieces,
which influences, along
with allowable characteris-
tics, the assigned grade,
are indicated by lines
on the photograph.

Figure 5 Figure 6 13
A water-repellent finish helps
protect these bathroom cabi-
nets from steam and splashes.

Wood Paneling, Cabinets and Furniture

Designers appreciate the rich visual quality of Douglas Fir texture and grain as well as its
beautiful response to fine craftsmanship and finishing. A favorite wood for custom cabinets,
furniture and millwork, it works easily and resists wear. When sawn to expose vertical grain,
Doug-las Fir is particularly handsome.
Douglas Fir paneling can transform any room into a dramatic, elegant space. The wood’s
fine appearance is clearly visible in a variety of applications such as edge-grain veneers for
formal wall paneling or solid plank paneling for an informal look. When acclimated prior
to installation, Douglas Fir retains its shape and size without shrinking, swelling, cupping,
warping, bowing or twisting. The uniform grain and tough fiber holds stain well and keeps
fasteners firmly in place.
Douglas Fir (and Western Larch to a lesser extent) paneling is run in a variety of patterns.
In many cases, the grade of the patterned material reflects the grade of the starting material,
adhering to similar requirements for allowable characteristics. Grades for paneling include the
Finish grades for highest appearance and the Commons or Alternate Board grades for knotty
products.
Refer to WWPA’s Standard Patterns publication for dimensioned, scaled profiles of standard WWPA
siding and paneling patterns.

Flooring
Wood floors in gyms, factories and homes take an incredible beating. Douglas Fir’s strength,
beauty and old-fashioned toughness are all prime reasons for choosing this long-lasting
wood. Douglas Fir provides a tough surface that will hold a finish, maintain its appearance
under extreme wear and remain level without cracking, scuffing or splintering.
Douglas Fir flooring is available in 1x4 (nominal) sizes in standard lengths 4´ and longer.
Flooring is machined tongue-and-groove and may be finished in any grade. However, the
grade specifically developed for flooring is C & BTR FLOORING, which can be sawn vertical
grain for a more refined look.

Right: Douglas Fir’s clear,

vertical grain is revealed in
this entertainment center
which has been lightened
with a white stain to con-
trast with the ceiling and
oak flooring.

14
 PRODUCTS GRADED for INDUSTRIAL and REMANUFACTURING
APPLICATIONS
Characteristics and Grades
Douglas Fir has an enviable performance record. The species has earned respect from
industrial users worldwide because when it comes to high performance demands and
extreme stress conditions, Douglas Fir meets the test. With its tough, strong fiber, high
strength in relation to its weight and dense grain structure, Douglas Fir is a natural choice for
industrial and remanufacturing uses.
Highly resistant to mechanical abrasion and chemical reaction, Douglas Fir is often used in
fabricating vats, tanks, containers, flumes, conduits and similar industrial components that
call for an inert material with a long life under rigorous service conditions. Truss fabrication
and formwork, mining and tunneling, trestles, bridges, railroad ties, stadiums, warehouses,
storage facilities and factories all utilize Douglas Fir lumber.
Industrial products include both structural and non-structural grades that are intended
for specific applications. Structural grades are used for mining timbers, scaffold plank, foun-
dation lumber and stress-rated boards. Specialized non-structural grades include pickets,
lath, battens, stepping and even gutters (used primarily for historic preservation projects).
Factory and Shop lumber, one of the three primary grading classifications of Western lumber
products, is non-structural, industrial lumber intended for remanufacturing into an enormous
array of products.
Factory and Shop prod-
ucts, also known as the Factory and Shop Lumber
“economical clears” of soft- Millwork standards require that the wood be easy to machine, be of a consistent grade,
wood lumber grades, are
have few visible knots, be dimensionally stable and have a smooth surface texture. In addi-
prized for doors, windows,
shutters and a variety of tion, the grain must be handsome in appearance, the wood easy to glue, hold fasteners
cabinets, casegoods and well and readily accept finishes. Three Western softwood species are consistently specified
furniture. for millwork: Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir and Hem-Fir (a species combination of Western
Hemlock and the true firs). When hardness is desired, in addition to fine appearance, Douglas
Fir rivals many hardwoods.
Factory lumber is produced primarily for doors, windows, furniture, frames, moulding and
boxes. The grades are especially well suited for ripping and cross cutting to obtain clear pieces
for remanufacturing. Factory grade criteria includes specifications, within the grades, for the
percentage of the lumber that is available for cuttings in predetermined sizes and qualities,
based on typical U.S. joinery and millwork specifications. Moulding stock, which comes in sev-
eral thicknesses and widths, is suitable for ripping into strips 1˝ and wider by 10´ and longer.
Shop lumber, nominal 4/4 thickness to 16/4, is used in remanufacturing for sashes and
doors, jambs and door component parts, boxes and specialty goods.
Factory and Shop lumber is usually shipped in large quantities, mill-direct to remanufac-
turers. Many WWPA Member companies can accommodate special remanufacturing require-
ments through buyer/seller agreements.
Refer to WWPA’s Vol.3 Species Book: Factory Lumber for additional information and color photographs
of the Factory and Shop grades.

Stress-Rated Boards
“Stress-Rated Boards” are available in Douglas Fir to provide a range of products suitable
Right: Douglas Fir’s straight,
for special applications where applied design values are a requirement. Uses include light
uniform grain and perfor- trusses, belt rails, horizontal bracing, rafters and box beams for factory built homes. When
Stress-Rated Boards are gradestamped, the grade name or number for the dimension grade
COURTESY OF SIMPSON MASTERMARK DOORS

mance attributes have long

been used to advantage for will be shown on the grade stamp along with “SRB” to designate that a board product may
exquisitely handsome doors
— from interior paneled
be used structurally.
doors to elegant French
doors with and without
leaded or stained glass,
and carved entry doors.

16
 HIGHWAYS, BRIDGES and RAILROADS
Douglas Fir bridges—either in the solid sawn designs of past years or in today’s glued,
stress-laminated forms—span roads and rivers, lead hikers into the wilderness or over gorges
and offer access for everything from golf carts to semi-trailers and heavy machinery. Douglas
Fir is a top choice when the material must resist slivering and indentation, be strong, durable,
functional and yet, at home in its natural surroundings.
While wooden bridges have been around for centuries, today’s engineered bridges of treat-
ed wood offer communities some new advantages. They are strong, durable, cost-effective,
Modern stress-laminated, time efficient to install and reduce the impact of construction on surrounding streamside
preservative pressure- ecology. Today’s technology for stress-laminated wood bridges is gaining wide acceptance
treated DF bridges offer
cost-effective solutions with
throughout the U.S. and in other countries.
low environmental impact Douglas Fir is also the species of choice for sound barrier walls along freeways or for high-
in difficult situations. way guard rails which demand a wood that is treatable, paintable and strong with excellent
fastening capability.
Given its resilience under tremendous loads and vibration, and the ability to take and hold
heavy railroad spikes tightly, it’s clear why Douglas Fir still dominates the railway tracks. From
rail car linings and track supports to ties and cross-planking, this Western species, treated and
A B C D untreated, provides long-lasting solutions to very tough jobs.

TREATED PRODUCTS
Douglas Fir preservative pressure-treated wood pilings provide long-life performance
with resistance to the corrosive salt water conditions of wind, waves, storms and tides. When
E F G dramatic design solutions are called for on hillsides or in hurricane country, pressure-treated
Douglas Fir pole construction is often the best and most economical solution. Design loads as
A- trademark of ALSC high as 70 tons have been specified and ultimate loads as high as 235 tons have been carried
accredited agency
B- preservation used
by Douglas Fir lumber. Treated DF products are also consistently found in foundation stud
C- AWPA Standard and plywood walls, vehicular bridges, walkways, parks shelters and foot bridges.
D- retention level In pressure treating, preservatives are forced into the wood cells and become permanently
E- treating company fixed (nonleaching). Because of its cell structure, Douglas Fir requires incising (small slits cut
F- plant location
G- proper exposure
into the wood’s surface before treatment) to improve chemical penetration. Chemical reten-
condition tion is stated in terms of the weight of the chemical retained per cubic foot (pcf) of wood after
treatment; the larger the number, the more chemical retained.
All pressure-treated wood should bear the quality control mark of an agency approved
by the American Lumber Standard Committee. Look for the check mark ™ to indicate ALSC
accreditation of the quality mark, stamp or end tag.

For more information on treated lumber, contact the Western Wood Preservers Institute at www.wwpinsti-
tute.org.

Pressure-treated Douglas
Fir pilings and boardwalks
were used for this salt-water
marina in Newport, OR.

18
QUALITY CONTROL and WWPA PRODUCT SUPPORT
Lumber buyers may look to WWPA’s registered grade mark for the assurance lumber will
consistently meet grade specifications and performance standards.
The Association maintains a team of lumber inspectors to monitor lumber grading and
product quality control in its Member mills and to provide mill inspection and grading per-
formance reports, lumber grader training and incentive programs, MSR and glued products
standards, resource recovery and mill efficiency studies.
In addition, WWPA provides technical and product support services and information on
Western lumber end uses for lumber buyers throughout the world and publishes a variety of Delancey Street Founda-
tion, in earthquake-prone
statistical reports on Western lumber production, distribution and consumption. San Francisco, used struc-
A host of Western lumber technical and product information is available online on the tural DF products for its
WWPA web site at www.wwpa.org. The site features an Online Lumber Technical Guide, an multistory wood framing
interactive Western Lumber Buyers Guide and digital versions of a number of WWPA literature and appearance grade
products for various
titles. interior applications,
including the sports and
fitness center’s ceiling on
page 8. Treated products
were used in courtyard
spaces for outdoor
Western Wood Products Association amenities.
1500 SW First Avenue, Suite 870
Portland, OR 97201-5861

tel: 503/224-3930
fax: 503/224-3934
web site: www.wwpa.org
email: [email protected]
19
Douglas Fir and Douglas
Fir-Larch products are often
preferred in multistory construc-
tion, as in the four-story framing
of this rehabilitation center in
Western Wood
San Francisco. With its unique
Products Association
combination of attributes,
1500 SW First Avenue
Douglas Fir is the ideal species
Suite 870
for the most demanding wood-
Portland, OR 97201-5861
frame projects, particularly in
503/224-3930
areas where earthquakes are
e-mail: [email protected]
severe. Multiple exterior finish-
web site: www.wwpa.org
ing options are compatible with
wood framing. Here, designers
specified stucco. © 2002 WWPA FS-3/0813e/Rev.5-02