Category Archives: Douglas Fir

Information on uses and projects using Douglas Fir building materials

Trending Now – Natural Wood Ceilings

Looking to add instant warmth and charm to your home’s interior?  Wood ceilings are trending now!  Wood ceilings instantly add warmth and charm that just can’t be duplicated with man-made products.

No matter what architectural style appeals to you, natural wood will instantly warm up modern contemporary or minimalist spaces, add character and interest to commercial buildings, provide texture or cool elegance to one room or the whole house. With so many varieties of wood to choose from, as well as installation options (not to mention finishes!), wood ceilings are here to stay.

In these photos, Knotty Western Red Cedar T&G is used throughout this custom home’s interior and exterior soffits to create a cohesive space and a smooth transition from inside to out.  Craftsmanship by RGN Construction, photos by Swift Studios.

Knotty Western Red Cedar installed as interior ceiling and exterior soffit

Knotty Western Red Cedar ceiling detail adds warmth to this modern contemporary home

In what can be a somewhat “cool” or un-personal space, the knotty Western Red Cedar boards installed on the ceiling of this car dealership add natural warmth. Photo and craftsmanship by Trico Construction.

Knotty Western Red Cedar installed on the ceiling of this car dealership adds warmth to an otherwise cool space

Popular as well, Douglas Fir T&G has different color variations than Cedar and adds a nice rustic touch.  Photo and craftsmanship by Yonkman Construction.

Douglas Fir T&G used as ceiling detail

In these photos, clear Western Red Cedar T&G with all its beautiful color variations add elegance to this recently completed sunroom by our customer, Dave. For tips on installing cedar T&G paneling, please visit our blog post on that subject by clicking HERE.

Clear Western Red Cedar ceiling detail

With all the natural color variations of Western Red Cedar, when installed on the ceiling brings warmth to any space

Due to its lightweight, as well as work-ability, natural wood in either Cedar or Pine is a perfect choice for both ceilings and walls in mobile buildings, such as this tiny home on wheels that was built by Hope Island Cottages.

Due to its lightweight and work ability, Western Red Cedar is an ideal choice for ceilings, as well as walls in tiny mobile buildings

Western Red Cedar is a great choice for high humidity areas, such as bathrooms

With so many beautiful options, we can help you find the one that is just right for you and your unique style.

Before your next project, be sure to visit us. We provide local delivery, as well as ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

www.cclumber.com

Cedar and Fir for a Cabin in the Woods

One of the greatest joys of helping people with specialty building materials is working with our customers and guiding them to products that help them build their dream home.  Located on scenic Guemes Island in the San Juan Islands of Washington state, this Pacific Northwest style custom home is nearing completion.

Clad with our hand-split Western Red Cedar shakes, this “cabin in the woods” shows excellent craftsmanship with thoughtful and creative touches, inside as well as out.  Used for many years in the Pacific Northwest, our Western Red Cedar shakes will provide many years of carefree service for this home’s exterior.

western red cedar shakes and knotty cedar soffit

Western Red cedar shakes and soffit

western red cedar shakes used as exterior cladding is perfect for any cabin in the woods

The interior is clad with Douglas Fir tongue and groove, which adds to the feeling of being right at home in the trees on this secluded island, which is only accessible by boat or ferry.

clear vertical grain douglas fir for interior paneling and trim

douglas fir interior paneling is perfect for this cabin in the woods

Douglas Fir Interior wood paneling

A special “Thank You” to the Casey family for allowing us to participate in your project and for sharing these fantastic photos!  So beautiful!

customer testimonial from Jim Casey about Cedar Country Lumber

Before your next project, be sure to visit us! We specialize in providing customers all over the United States with Pacific Northwest, coastal grown Western Red Cedar, Alaska Yellow Cedar, and Douglas Fir building materials.

We ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

Wood Timbers and Beams – Cracks and Checking

Nothing beats the look and feel of real wood products.  They bring warmth, beauty, and charm that just can’t be duplicated with synthetic building materials.  As natural wood lovers, when larger timbers and beams crack and “check” (as they always do), we believe it only adds to the special character and appeal that only natural wood can provide.

When a tree is harvested, about half of its weight is water.  Soon after, it begins to dry and shrink about twice as fast along the growth rings than across them.

Western Red Cedar Timbers and Beams

After it is milled, smaller lumber pieces will dry faster than wood manufactured into larger timbers, beams, or heavier boards.  As the outer layers of the bigger pieces dry and shrink, the center of the timbers will stay moist longer.  All these changes cause the lumber to move, check and crack.  The larger the timber or beam, the larger the cracks, as well.

This is NOT a bad thing!

Checking normally begins on the exterior surface of a timber and is not a structural concern.  In fact, because it releases the tension that has built up, it actually makes the wood stronger.

Western Red Cedar Timber Checks

All wood species will check differently.  Denser exotic woods check more readily than softer woods, such as Douglas Fir and Cedar. However, checks in harder woods are generally smaller.

Ways to help minimize checking:

  • Generally speaking, higher grades of materials will have more stability. Especially when choosing “free of heart center” instead of “boxed heart” grade (as applicable)
  • When building with Douglas Fir, and some other hardwood species, some larger timbers and beams can be kiln-dried.
  • Use proper acclimation techniques. Store your wood off the ground, out of direct sunlight, and allow the ends to breathe prior to installation
  • Seal cut ends of hardwood timbers immediately after cutting.

Please note all wood timbers and beams will continue to move; take on moisture, and shrink, especially those installed in exterior applications.  Checking on large timbers and beams, in many cases, does not occur until well after it is installed.  On a loose rule of thumb, softwood timbers (such as Cedar and Doug Fir) dry about 1” per year.  This means it can take 6 years for a 12×12” beam to reach equilibrium to its surroundings, and there will be movement and change throughout the whole process.

Large Western Red Cedar timbers and beams crate a covered portico and stylish pergola

                  Photo and craftsmanship by Minnesota Pergola

Our team of Wood Building Material Specialists are happy to discuss options on timbers and beams with you that are grown in the Pacific Northwest, including Western Red Cedar, Alaska Yellow Cedar, and Douglas Fir.

We ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

Appearance Grade Kiln Dried Douglas Fir Timbers and Beams

Highly prized for its strength, durability, and fine appearance, we offer a full line of kiln-dried Douglas Fir appearance grade timbers and beams.  Re-sawn or surfaced, our Doug Fir timbers are dried in computer-controlled, state-of-the-art, conventional kilns using low-pressure steam.  This helps to minimize twisting, cupping, and checking.

Prized for its strength and durability, Douglas Fir timbers and beams are ideal for interior or exterior use

Great for interior or exterior use, including timber framing, post, and beam construction, as well as for adding architectural details, our Douglas Fir timbers are produced from one of the strongest and most durable softwoods and will readily accept paint, stains, and other finishes beautifully.

This chart shows the durability, strength and hardness of Douglas Fir compared to other Fir and North American grown softwoods

Our Appearance grade Doug Fir Timbers and Beams are available in a wide variety of sizes and finishes including:

  • 3×4″ through 3×14″
  • 4×4″ through 4×16″
  • 6×6″ through 6×16″
  • 8×8″ through 8×16″
  • 10×10″ through 10×16″
  • 12×12″
  • Custom Dimensions
  • Rough, Surfaced on All Four Sides (S4S) & Re-sawn Rough
  • 8-20′, 24′, 26′ & 32′
  • Can quote up to 40′
  • All prices subject to availability

Our Douglas Fir beams and timbers are ideal for timber framing and other outdoor structures

Our sales team would be happy to discuss your Doug Fir timber and beam needs.  So, before your next project, be sure to visit us!  We ship nationwide!

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

Taliesin West by Frank Lloyd Wright

While we have not had the pleasure of supplying materials to this Frank Lloyd Wright historic property, we have supplied both Western Red Cedar and Alaskan Yellow Cedar building materials, including full dimension lumber and beams, as well as decking, to other Frank Lloyd Wright properties for historic restoration.

Built in 1937 by Frank Lloyd Wright, his wife, and students of his architecture school outside Scottsdale, Arizona, Wright constructed Taliesin West largely of “desert masonry,” which consisted of local rock and stone set in wood forms and bound by a mixture of cement and desert sand.

Taliesin West Courtyard

Over the years, Taliesin West was continually worked on an improved and many other buildings were built, including a drafting studio, dining facilities, three theaters, a workshop, Wright’s office and private living quarters, and residences for apprentices and staff. Each building is connected through a series of walkways, terraces, pools, and gardens.

picture view at Taliesin West

Full Dimension Wood Beams at Taliesin West

Originally constructed from redwood, the exterior beams have been replaced by full dimension Douglas Fir beams and timbers with steel supports.

Originally constructed from Redwood, the exterior wood beams at Taliesin West were replaced with Doug Fir Beams

fully dimensional Douglas Fir beams used for historic renovation at Taliesin West

Today, Taliesin West is the home of the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation and the School of Architecture at Taliesin.  Taliesin West is open to the public and offers a broad range of tours.  We hope you have enjoyed our photos of our recent trip there.

Specializing in high-quality building materials, including dimensional lumber, siding, exterior cladding, shingles, shakes, timbers, and more, including custom sawing and patterns, we can help with historical restorations, as well as other unique custom building projects.  Because we are located in the heart of Cedar Country, the only place in the world where Western Red Cedar and Alaska Yellow Cedar is grown, we can offer superior quality with exceptional pricing. Whatever you are looking for, we can find a mill that manufactures it or have it custom milled.

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!  We ship nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington, WA  98233

Cedar and other Wood Specialty Patterns

If you can dream it up or need to match up a wood pattern that is no longer made, we work with a team of skilled mills that can help you achieve the custom pattern you desire or need in Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir and just about any other hard or softwood. From exterior siding and cladding patterns to interior or exterior paneling, to airfoils and louvers, truly dimensional lumber…and everything else in between!

no gap Douglas fir interior wood accent wall

Custom Douglas Fir T&G Paneling adds warmth to this waiting room

Historical Wood Patterns

As the decades have passed, trends, as well as manufacturing practices, have come and gone in building materials.  When the time comes for restoring or repairing wood in vintage or historical buildings, it can often be difficult to find truly dimensional lumber and/or match old wood patterns.

Whether it be exterior siding patterns, interior wall, or decking patterns that need to be matched up, we can help! The best place to start is to get us a sample of the pattern that needs to be matched, such as this double tongue and groove that measures 3-1/2” x 5-1/2” that was manufactured from clear Western Red Cedar well over 100 years ago. By carefully inspecting and measuring this sample, we were able to have this double tongue and groove timber created to the exact specifications of the piece that was provided for the historical restoration after a recent fire.

Clear Western Red Cedar Double Tongue and Groove Timber Historical Pattern we created for restoration of a commercial building

New Wood Patterns

With the current trend in custom building and remodeling, including so much exterior and interior paneling for accent walls and ceilings and lining closets and bathrooms, if there is a specific wood pattern your architect has dreamed up that hasn’t been done before, we can help! Since it hasn’t been produced before, a line drawing is created before production with the exact measurements noted, and a recommendation of what grade and species of wood would work best for the application will be discussed.

architect created tongue and groove specialty wood pattern to be made out of clear, vertical grain Western Red Cedar

Note in this pattern that a special bevel is added to the profile to drain water away since this T&G will be used outdoors as cladding.  We recommended that this pattern be manufactured out of clear Western Red Cedar for optimum performance.

Another new trend we are seeing quite a lot of in commercial building, as well as residential, is the use of wood louvers.  Naturally beautiful with the look that only real wood can provide.  Whether it be boards cut to specific dimensions or shaped into airfoils, such as this one, we work with mills that specialize in creating the perfectly sized and shaped louvers for your project in Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir, or most any other soft or hardwood desired.

We manufactured these airfoil louvers out of clear Western Red Cedar to the architect's exact specifications for a commercial project

To save money and time on the job, we can arrange to have your specialty wood pattern pre-primed or stained in almost any color imaginable!

We applied a clear, penetrating oil stain to these Western Red Cedar airfoil louvers we had custom manufactured

Before your next project, be sure to visit us! We ship nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA

Matching and Creating Historical Wood Siding Patterns

As a specialty building materials distributor, one of our areas of expertise is in assisting our customers in creating unique siding patterns out of Cedar or Douglas Fir, as well as matching historical wood siding patterns that are no longer commonly used.  Our staff is well trained and versed in helping customers throughout the United States in matching wood siding patterns to maintain a building’s historical architectural details.   From custom shiplap patterns to log cabin sidings, tongue and groove patterns to channel sidings, we work closely with our customers to ensure the old world charm and exact specifications needed are met.

Custom Western Red Cedar Siding Patterns

Just recently, we were contacted to help match this clear, vertical grain Western Red Cedar 10” drop siding (also referred to as Dutch Lap Siding) for a repair that needs to be done on a very old cabin.   Since drop siding is no longer commonly produced in a 10” profile in Western Red Cedar, we are working with the contractor to make just enough of the cedar siding to make the repair in the most cost-effective manner possible to maintain the look of the cabin.   In this case, since the siding is painted, it can be easier to create something that will look exactly the same as the existing siding when the new pieces are installed and coated.

Vintage 10" Clear, Vertical Grain Western Red Cedar drop siding

clear, vertical grain western red cedar dutch lap siding

Historical Clear, Vertical Grain Old Growth Western Red Cedar painted drop siding

Other projects we have had the pleasure of working with include providing this fully dimensional 5/4×12” clear, vertical grain Western Red Cedar planks for a historical restoration of a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Michigan.  The Clear Cedar planks are installed directly over mahogany strips, just exactly as Frank designed the look many years ago.

5/4x12" Clear Vertical Grain full Dimension for Frank Lloyd Wright Project in MI

Need help matching a siding pattern?  Our process begins by carefully examining a piece of the existing siding.  It is carefully measured, and a “line drawing” is created and submitted to our customer for review.

Custom Historical Wood Siding Patterns for Sale

Next, we discuss the options of what material will be used to create the wood siding.  As mentioned previously, if the siding is to be painted, we have more options of grade and how the material will be manufactured.  If the siding will be left natural or stained, it will be of utmost importance to match the species and grade of wood exactly to what is on the building.  We specialize in providing custom siding patterns in Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir, and other exotic and domestic hard and softwoods.

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

360.757.6343

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington, WA  98233

We ship nationwide!

Swinomish Didgwalic Clinic Interior Doug Fir Paneling

We were extremely pleased to be chosen to provide the interior Douglas Fir paneling for the recently opened Swinomish Didgwalic Clinic near Anacortes.  Designed by a local architect, the Douglas Fir interior tongue and groove paneling specified in the plans to warm the space was to be flush jointed.  Since this is not an “off the shelf” profile for Doug Fir paneling, we worked with a mill to have the T&G custom manufactured out of 1×4 Clear, Vertical Grain; Kiln Dried Doug Fir blanks for the builder, Quantum Construction.  This project was fast-tracked, designed, and constructed in less than a year.

interior doug fir paneling that is flushed mounted

douglas fir interior t&g paneling

interior wood paneling for commercial buildings

This Swinomish Didgwalic Clinic will provide treatment for all members of the community suffering from opioid dependencies.

entry

For more photos of this amazing project by Quantum Construction, please visit their online album on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Customer Testimonial from Quantum Construction

Before your next project, be sure to visit us!

We specialize in working with customers with unique needs and ship nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

950  B Fountain Street, Burlington WA  98233

360.757.6343

Turn Point Light Station – Stuart Island, WA

We are pleased to share with you these photos we received from our customer who was commissioned to fabricate and install historic replicas of the exterior doors for the Turn Point Light Station, located on Stuart Island in the beautiful San Juan Islands of Washington state.

map of san juan islands showing the location of Stuart Island and the Turn Point light station

Due to its dimensional stability and workability, Clear, Vertical Grain Douglas Fir was chosen for this project.  Originally built in 1893, the Turn Point Light Station has been under restoration since 2009.

turn point light station in 1904

The Light Station in 1904

Our customer writes, “The doors were fabricated last winter from grade A or better Clear, VG Douglas Fir that I purchased from you, and the pre-finished doors were absolutely beautiful.  I must confess the application of primer, and 2 coats of paint just seemed wrong!  I work from home and have a very limited 12’ X 12’ open shop and have attached a picture of the first door, the shortest one, at final glue-up.  Primer and 2 coats of paint were hand brushed in my dining room and allowed to cure over the winter in my wife’s studio.  At long last, the doors were hung, and final adjustments were made on May 10.  Two pictures show before and after. The building is being converted into a museum at this time and should be open to the public after June 30, 2016.”

Fabrication of the historical replica doors out of Clear, Vertical Grain Doug Fir

Installing the replicated doors at the Turn Point Light Station

Clear VG Fir was used to make the doors

We spend the time to source the highest quality Premium Forest Products at the best prices in Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir, and other exotic and domestic soft and hardwoods.   With shipments of lumber, siding, shingles, shakes, timbers, and other specialty building materials leaving our warehouse daily all over the US, our customers value our products’ quality and our honest business practices, combined with excellent customer service and superior product knowledge.

So, before your next project, be sure to visit us!

We ship nationwide!

www.CedarCountryLumber.com

950 B Fountain Street, Burlington WA 98233

360.757.6343