We often get asked, “Don't you think Douglas Fir is too soft of a species to be use as flooring? Douglas Fir is softer than other species like Oak, Hickory, Maple, etc. ... Douglas Fir is actually the most stable species used for hardwood flooring.Mar 9, 2020
Are fir floors durable?
You could make the argument that being a softwood, it's more prone to scratching—but when it comes to long-term strength, fir is one of the most durable types of wood flooring around.
Is fir a hardwood?
Species such as pines, firs, and cedars are gymnosperms. While it might be called a softwood, Douglas fir is actually harder than some angiosperm hardwoods, such as chestnut. Douglas fir is a very durable hardwood flooring option.Jan 29, 2018
What wood can be used for flooring?
The best hardwood floors are made with wood species that are readily available and — you guessed it — very hard. Oak flooring, maple flooring and cherry flooring are all good choices. Other species include bamboo (which is actually a grass), walnut, ash and mahogany.Sep 29, 2021
Is fir good for floors?
Douglas fir is a very durable hardwood flooring option. ... It has an excellent modulus of elasticity, meaning it can bend and return to its original shape, unlike many brittle hardwoods, as well as good ratings for tension parallel-to-grain, shear, and compression.Sep 23, 2019
Does Douglas Fir dent easily?
Durability: Durable but easily dented. Somewhat brittle and splinters easily, especially with age. Used for flooring, but may not be suitable for all applications due to its softness.
What are the disadvantages of Douglas Fir?
Cons. Like all softwoods, one issue that can be a negative is that the Douglas Fir wood is, as the softwood name implies, softer than hardwoods. This can mean that the wood can be more easily damaged, so care must be taken in milling, handling, and transporting the lumber.
Are fir floors too soft?
Douglas Fir is softer than other species like Oak, Hickory, Maple, etc. ... Douglas Fir is actually the most stable species used for hardwood flooring. Hardness or a Janka rating is important if customers are concerned about protecting the floor from dents and scratches.Mar 9, 2020
What is Douglas Fir wood used for?
Commonly, Douglas Fir is a species of softwood, but it is also considered to be one of the widely-used types of lumber, especially in fencing, home construction and decking in the United States. It is also popular due to its perfect proportion of weight and strength.Dec 20, 2017
How long do Douglas Fir posts last?
Based on the findings, Morrell estimated that an untreated Douglas-fir post, which might now be expected to fail in five to eight years in western Oregon, could last 16-20 years with a plastic wrap.Aug 6, 2009
What is the difference between Douglas Fir and pine wood?
Fir has tight, close grain lines. Pine has broad grain lines that wander, making it far weaker than fir. The soft wood between the grain lines shrinks and expands, making the wood cup or twist. ... For stability and strength, fir is much less prone to warping or twisting, and much stronger than pine.
Do Douglas firs fall easily?
Douglas fir are the most likely to fall. Cedar is a little more stable. Deciduous trees usually only lose large limbs during storms because they have a deeper root system.Jun 15, 2021
Is engineered wood flooring a good choice?
A prefinished, engineered hardwood floor has a very durable, long-lasting finish. ... This means that the floor can go years longer without needing to be refinished. It also means that you don't have to worry about things like scratches or dents in the surface of the flooring, the way that you might with laminates.