Comparisons of Douglas Fir or Redwood Floor Joist

Douglas Fir Qualities

• Architects and builders regularly choose Douglas fir for its dimensional stability and desirable strength-to-weight ratio. Builders prize this wood for its ability to hold nails without slippage and even withstand some of the forces exerted by natural disasters including earthquakes. For general purpose framing in residential, multi-story and light commercial applications, builders almost always select Douglas fir because of these qualities.

Redwood Qualities

• Redwood is an attractive type of wood with a warm red hue, which is where its name derives. Timbers from the best trees are easy to work with, shrink only minimally and provide stable service. It is a naturally durable type of wood, known for its resistance to decay and insects. For this reason, builders and homeowners often use redwood in outdoor applications where its beautiful appearance can be appreciated and its durability can be put to good use.

Grades

• No matter what kind of wood you want for any construction project, the lumber is graded based on strength, appearance, durability and other factors to help buyers find the right wood for the purpose they need. Douglas fir is appropriate for joists in many of its possible grades, including Select Structural, No. 1, No. 2, Construction and Standard. Even the lowest quality among these is appropriate for general construction use, including use as floor joists. There is a specific construction grade for redwood that is graded for its strength as well as its appearance. However, even construction grade redwood is usually used in outdoor applications because of its durability against weathering.

Eco-Friendliness

• California redwoods are fast-growing trees that grow to gigantic size. Redwoods grow in various places across the globe, but northern California and southern Oregon are the only places where they are grown commercially. The Douglas fir is plentiful in North America as well, and grows especially plentifully in Oregon’s coastal forests where systematic replanting has occurred since at least 1912.

  The northwest, where both redwoods and Douglas firs are manufactured for construction, has some of the strictest environmental laws in the world. Animal habitats, watersheds, soils and botanical diversity are watched closely. Reforestation in this area isn’t optional, but required by law. Therefore, by choosing either redwood or Douglas fir grown in this area, you obtain lumber in the most environmentally-friendly way possible.

Conclusion

• Because of its superior strength and dimensional stability, Douglas fir should be your first choice as the lumber for floor joists. Use redwood for decorative purposes or for applications requiring durability on the exterior of your home.