American Softwoods - Using American Softwoods

Structural

Structural timber is graded for its load-bearing and load-carrying capacity in framing systems and in heavy construction, light commercial and residential applications.

At the top of the list for industrial and commercial applications is Southern Pine. Its inherent qualities of high strength, durability, treatability and design versatility make it a primary building material and has earned it the reputation of being the "Supreme Structural Wood of the World."

In the Western species of American Softwoods the dominant species is Douglas Fir.

Typical industrial and commercial construction applications include:

• Sports venues
• Schools
• Churches
• Theatres
• Retail developments
• Swimming pools

Non-building uses include high-traffic applications such as:

• Marinas
• Piers and boardwalks
• Bridges
• Highway signposts, guardrails, railings
• Noise barriers
• Foundations, flooring

Structural timber products are generally bought, sold and specified for end use according to species combinations with design values assigned per species. Adjustment factors can be applied to structural timber to calculate the performance of different sized member in end use. These are published by various governmental agencies in destination countries.

American softwoods comply with BS 5268 Pt 2: 1996 and EN 1912 "Structural Timber - Strength Classes.