What is vertical grain Douglas fir?

Vertical grain Doug fir is sawn perpendicular to the growth rings of the tree. This means that if you are looking at a piece of vertical grain wood, you’ll be able to see the lumber’s tight growth rings in straight lines running vertically up and down the face of the wood.

What does clear vertical grain mean?

More environmentally friendly – Clear Vertical Grain is the same as quarter-sawn wood. This cut requires big tall trees to yield long runs without any knots – which means that in most cases, when you buy CVG Fir, you’re buying old growth trees.

Where does Douglas Fir vertical grain wood come from?

Where the wood comes from. In truth, Doug-Fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii, isn’t a fir, at all. It’s genus (Pseudotsuga) translates to “false hemlock.” Doug-Fir forests grow in the Pacific Northwest and up into British Columbia. Mature trees can be 200 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter.

What does the grain of Douglas fir look like?

Usually a light brown color with a hint of red and/or yellow, with darker growth rings. In quartersawn pieces, the grain is typically straight and plain. In flatsawn pieces, (typically seen in rotary-sliced veneers), the wood can exhibit wild grain patterns. Grain/Texture: Grain is generally straight, or slightly wavy.

Are vertical grain quarters sawn?

Vertical grain (edge grain, sometimes called rift cut or quarter sawn) is produced with the annual growth rings vertical to the face of the board. Vertical grain is a great option in high-end applications where the stability, durability, and appearance of the lumber is critical.

Is Redwood better than Douglas fir?

Redwood is a better choice for fencing material than Douglas fir and is the preferred choice of professionals, according to Charles & Hudson. Perhaps the most important reason is that the oils in redwood give it natural weather resistance, and it lasts two or three times as long as Douglas fir outdoors.

What is the lifespan of a Douglas fir?

The largest coast Douglas firs commonly live to be at least 500 years and sometimes exceed 1,000 years. Rocky Mountain Douglas firs have a shorter lifespan, usually living no more than 400 years. The population of these trees is stable.

Whats cheaper pine or fir?

Cost is the overriding factor when differentiating between pine and fir. In applications where either wood can be used, such as exteriors, interior trim or even decking, pine will save thousands of dollars over fir. It should also be noted that fir is made into plywood far more often than pine.

Can you use Douglas fir for garden beds?

Yes, you can use Douglas fir for building raised beds in your garden. Given its resistance to rot, Douglas fir is a durable wood, and can last as long as 10 to 15 years before needing replacement. There are some clear advantages to using Douglas fir for raised beds.

What does vertical grain douglas fir look like?

While pinkish-red when freshly cut, CVG (Clear, Vertical Grain) Douglas-fir ages to a beautiful, warm reddish-brown with darker stripes. Douglas-fir is one of the United States’ most plentiful softwoods.

Where can I buy CVG Douglas fir wood?

You can also find the wood online. CVG Doug-fir is quite uniform in appearance, so, seeing before buying isn’t as important as when buying lumber with prominent figure. But do note whether the grain is described as “tight” or “loose.”

What’s the best way to cut Douglas fir?

Folded sandpaper can slip beneath a splinter, angling it right into your finger. Do yourself a favor and use a sanding block. The wood machines well, but use very sharp cutters, and employ backer blocks when crosscutting to minimize exit tearout. Climb-cutting when routing profiles greatly reduces splintering.

How big of a spacing do you need for Douglas fir?

With some old-growth lumber, the ring spacing can be 1/16″ or less. Doug-fir is one of the harder softwoods on the market and features a distinct difference in the hardness of the earlywood (the lighter colored areas) and the latewood (the darker stripes). You’ll feel this distinctly when bandsawing across the grain.