Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
The structural softwood, stiff, strong, and dimensionally stable. Common in framing, increasingly popular for sturdy shop furniture.
Commonly built
- Workbenches
- Timber-frame beams
- Built-in shelving
- Shop cabinets
- Garden trellises
Appearance
Light reddish-tan with a prominent straight grain and strong grain lines.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Strong for its weight. Hard early/late grain bands can splinter and stain unevenly. Sharp tools help. Often sold construction-grade with knots.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn douglas fir panel moves roughly 0.42 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Douglas Fir move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Douglas Fir?
Douglas Fir has a Janka hardness of 660 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Douglas Fir suitable for outdoor use?
Douglas Fir is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Douglas Fir to work with?
Douglas Fir has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Douglas Fir move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn douglas fir panel moves roughly 0.42 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Finishing notes
Strong grain contrast between soft early wood and hard late wood makes it blotch and take stain unevenly; condition first or use a gel stain, or embrace the bold grain under a clear finish. Takes clear film finishes and paint well. A traditional choice for a clear-finished, character-forward look.
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used douglas fir, reviewed before they appear here.
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Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.