A pigmented stain was used on the Douglas fir glu-lam beams. Fireplace mantel and trim are also Douglas fir.

Clear, vertical grain Douglas fir is well suited to a variety of finishes.

Douglas fir is in demand for its ability to accept adhesives, hold fasteners tightly and resist the effects of scuffing, abrasion and jarring under movement.

The refined aesthetics of the highest grades in structural decking products, Selected Decking or Select Dex, are revealed in this exposed ceiling. Doors are also Douglas fir.

Please refer to SEC website for information on standardized panelling and cladding patterns as well as information on selecting, specifying, installing and finishing solid wood panelling. The SEC publication, Western Softwood Species & Grades, provides photographs and detailed grade descriptions.

Douglas Fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii

Products Graded for Appearance

Appearance Grades

Designers appreciate the rich visual quality of Douglas fir and enjoy its beautiful response to fine craftsmanship and finishing. When sawn to expose its vertical grain, Douglas fir is particularly attractive. Substantial volumes of clear and nearly clear timber products are available in Douglas fir from the long-rotation commercial timberlands of the western region.

Appearance-grade products range from the exquisitely beautiful to the most utilitarian. Colour, grain pattern, texture, knot size, type and quantity, as well as quality of manufacturing are all key factors in determining grade with allowable characteristics defined for each grade. Moisture content levels are carefully controlled in the highest grades to ensure products will meet the strict dimensional stability requirements of finish carpenters, furniture manufacturers and cabinetmakers.

Douglas fir’s light rosey colour, which darkens over time when exposed to UV rays, is set off by its remarkably straight grain pattern. The tough fiber holds fasteners well and it machines to an exceptionally smooth, glossy surface. When dry, Douglas fir retains its shape and size without shrinking, swelling, cupping, warping, bowing or twisting, and generally won’t check or show a raised grain.

Such characteristics make Douglas fir ideal for all types of trim and joinery applications: fascia, doors, millwork, window and door casings, mantels, stairs and baseboards. Products may be run-to-pattern. Douglas fir’s handsome appearance is clearly visible in solid plank panelling and edge-glued veneers. In many cases, the grade of panelling products reflects the grade of the starting board material, adhering to similar restrictions for allowable characteristics.

Clear coatings, transparent lacquer, varnishes, oils, wax, bright or subdued stains, tints or paints and enamels are all appropriate finishes.

Highest-quality grades include:

Export R-List Clears (PLIB Rules)
   No. 2 Clear & BTR
   No. 3 Clear
   No. 4 Clear
Selects (WWPA Rules)
   B & BTR Select
   C Select
   D Select
Industrial Clears (WCLIB Rules)
   B & Btr
   C
   D
Finish Grades (WWPA Rules)
   Superior
   Prime
   E Finish
Finish Grades (WCLIB Rules)
   C & BTR
   D

These grades reflect clear and nearly clear Douglas fir timber products. The products are exquisitely beautiful and expensive, appreciated by discriminating buyers. They are well manufactured and carefully seasoned to desired moisture content levels, usually KD 15%. They may be specified in vertical or flat grain. When unspecified, a combination of vertical and flat grain is shipped. Products are recommended for interior trim, furniture, panelling, case goods and cabinetwork where the finest appearance is important.

Floors take an incredible beating and few softwood species are suitable. However, Douglas fir will hold a finish, maintain its appearance, remain level, and resist cracking, scuffing or splintering under extreme wear. Douglas fir flooring is available in 1x4" nominal (19 x 89 mm actual) in standard lengths that are 1220 mm 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. It may be specified vertical grain.

General-purpose grades include:

Export R-List Merchantable (Export R-List rules)
   Select Merchantable
   No.1 Merch
   No.2 Merch
   No.3 Merch
Commons (WWPA rules)
   1 Common
   2 Common
   3 Common
   4 Common
   5 Common

Board grades (WCLIB rules)
   Select Merchantable
   Construction
   Standard
   Utility
   Economy

General-purpose grades allow for a variety of knots, characteristics and imperfections. They are readily available in multiple widths and quality levels. Most are a nominal 1x thickness, surfaced to 3/4" (19 mm). Depending on the criteria of an installation, different grades are suitable for housing and light construction where wood is exposed in cornices, soffits and fascia; or for fences, boxes and crating; or for general construction purposes and serviceability in sub-floors, roof and wall sheathing or concrete forms.

The highest grades, such as Select Merch and No.1 & No.2 Merch, 1 & 2 Common, and Construction are quite refined with sound tight knots; intended for use where a fine appearance in a knotty material is desired, e.g. shelving or run-to-pattern for cladding and panelling. The lowest grades are used primarily in industrial and utility applications where economy is the basic requirement.

Appearance grades are based on aesthetics. Highest quality appearance grades include the Export R-List Clears (No.2 CLEAR & BTR, NO.3 & No.4 CLEAR); the Selects (B & BTR SELECT, C SELECT, and D SELECT); and Finish grades (SUPERIOR, PRIME, E and C & BTR and D). General-purpose grades include: Export R-List Merchantable (SELECT MERCH, NO.1, No.2 & No.3 MERCH); the Commons (1 to 5 COMMON); and the Board Grades (SELECT MERCHANTABLE, CONSTRUCTION, STANDARD, UTILITY and ECONOMY).
Figure 3	Figure 3: SUPERIOR (WWPA) or C & BTR (WCLIB) is the highest grade in the Finish category of the appearance grades. Many pieces are absolutely clear. Used for interior trim and cabinetwork. Natural characteristics and manufacturing imperfections are restricted; products are kiln dried.
Figure 4	Figure 4: SELECT MERCHANTABLE is the highest grade among the Board grades for general-purpose boards of a knotty appearance. Intended for use in housing and general construction where finest appearance in a knotty product is desired.