Follow us
Account Login

Email

Password

Forgot your password?
Free Sign Up

Featured Project

Be surprised by this large timber warehouse structure

View more inspiration
General Resources
Why Wood Articles
What is...

Bowstring truss
A truss where the top chord of the truss is curved to an arch shape.

Visit Glossary

Radiata Pine | Pinus radiata

Radiata Pine is fine but uneven in texture, and is light brown to yellow in colour. It is a widely available softwood popular used for general construction and decorative purposes.

Radiata Pine is a widely available softwood used for general construction, in engineered wood products and for decorative purposes.

Radiata Pine is a softwood whose availability and ease of use make it popular for all kinds of construction and decorative uses.

Other Names: Monterey Pine, Insignis Pine

Overview
Properties
Description
Applications
Case Studies
Suppliers

Overview

Radiata Pine is native to the central coast of California but is widely planted in Australia and New Zealand. It makes up 28% of Tasmania’s timber plantations and is a environmentally sustainable softwood popular in all types of construction and decorative uses. These include framing, lining, glue laminated beams, veneer and plywood. It can be used for many exposed structural and non-structural applications if it is treated with the right preservatives.

The texture of Radiata Pine is fine, but uneven, and knots are common. The timber is fairly soft and has a low density, often with very wide annual growth rings. The sapwood is white to pale yellow, but often indistinguishable from the heartwood, which is light brown to yellow. The grain is usually straight, apart from a central core of 100mm, which can twist if the moisture content of the timber changes.

Radiata Pine is easy to work, apart from the knots, and it readily accepts preservatives. Timber that is high in resin can be hard to glue and the resin may mar painted and stained exteriors. It does not cause staining of alkaloid surfaces such as fibre-cement and concrete.

Radiata Pine is not resistant to termites. It can be preservative treated to increase its durability.

Properties

Shrinkage

	Very Low	Low	Medium	High	Very High
Tangential:
Tangential:			5.1
Radial:			3 - 4
Unit Movement:			0.27 %

Strength Group

	Very High	High	Reasonably High	Medium High	Medium	Reasonably Low	Low	Very Low
Unseasoned:	S1	S2	S3	S4	S5	S6	S7
Unseasoned:
Seasoned:	SD1	SD2	SD3	SD4	SD5	SD6	SD7	SD8
Seasoned:

Stress Grade

	Structural No. 1	Structural No. 2	Structural No. 3	Structural No. 4	Structural No. 5
Unseasoned:	F8	F7	F5	F4
Seasoned:	F14	F11	F8	F7	F5

Density per Standard

Unseasoned:	0 kg/m³
Seasoned:	0 kg/m³

Joint Group

	Very High	High	Reasonably High	Medium	Low	Very Low
Unseasoned:	J1	J2	J3	J4	J5	J6
Unseasoned:
Seasoned:	JD1	JD2	JD3	JD4	JD5	JD6
Seasoned:

Colour

White, yellow, pale straw to light brown	Pink to pink brown	Light to dark red	Brown, chocolate, mottled or streaky

Mechanical Properties

Modulus of Rupture - Unseasoned:	42
Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned:	81
Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned:	8.1
Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned:	10
Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned:	19
Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned:	42
Impact - Unseasoned:	12
Impact - Seasoned:	6.9
Toughness - Unseasoned:	Medium - 15 - 25 Nm
Toughness - Seasoned:	Low - up to 15 Nm
Hardness - Unseasoned:	2.1
Hardness - Seasoned:	3.3

Durability

	Low	Moderate	Reasonably High	High
	(0 - 5 yrs)	(5 - 15 yrs)	(15 - 25 yrs)	(more than 25 yrs)
In-Ground:
	(0 - 7 yrs)	(7 - 15 yrs)	(15 - 40 yrs)	(More than 40 yrs)
Above ground:
	(0 - 20 yrs, usually < 5)	(21 - 40 yrs)	(41 - 64 yrs)	(More than 60 yrs)
Marine Borer Resistance:

Lyctid Borer Susceptibility:	Not Susceptible
Lyctid Borer Susceptibility - Other:	Like all softwoods, Radiata Pine is not susceptible to lyctid borer.
Termite Resistance:	Not Resistant

Fire Properties

	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20
EFH Ignitibility:

	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
EFH Spread-of-Flame Index:
EFH Smoke-Developed Index:

Critical Radiance Flux - Lower:	>2.2 and <4.5; same for ply ≥17mm kW/m²
Critical Radiance Flux - Higher:	>2.2 and <4.5; same for ply ≥17mm kW/m²
Smoke Development Rate:	<750; the same for ply ≥17mm

	1 - non-combustible	2 - reasonably non-combustible	3 - slightly combustible	4 - combustible
Fire Properties Group Number:

Group Number - Other:	3 (same for plywood ≥6mm)
Average Specific Extinction Area:	<250
Bushfire Resistance:	BAL 12.5 and 19 - All AS 3959 Required Applications

Description

Botanical Name:	Pinus radiata
Preferred Common Name:	Radiata Pine
Other Names:	Monterey Pine, Insignis Pine
Species Type:	Softwood

Appearance

Radiata Pine's sapwood is white to pale yellow, but often indistinguishable from the heartwood, which is light brown to yellow. The grain is usually straight, apart from a central core of 100mm, which can twist if the moisture content of the timber changes. The texture of Radiata Pine is fine, but uneven, and knots are common. The timber is fairly soft and has a low density, often with very wide annual growth rings.

Common Applications

Radiata Pine plantations are set to become the main source of timber in Australia. Radiata Pine can be used in a wide range of applications, including as a domestic and commercial structural timber, flooring, lining, furniture, panels (such as veneer, plywood, particleboard, fibreboard), corestock, brushware, turnery, toys, poles, posts, sleepers, mining timbers (treated), landscaping, pulp and paper.

Common Form

Sawn, Veneer

Workability

Radiata Pine is easy to work except for the knots, and it nails satisfactorily. Apart from the core, it is easy to dry, and because it dries quickly, it is usually kiln dried directly from being green. During the warmer months it is very susceptible to bluestain.   There can be problems with timber that is high in resin content: it can be hard to glue, and knots, resin streaks and latewood can emit enough resin to mar exterior coatings. Timber that is high in resin should be used for structural purposes only.   It is not suitable for steam bending as it is hard to obtain a smooth curve. It readily accepts preservatives, which provide protection to Hazard level 6 (the highest level).

Radiata Pine can be prone to surface checking when exposed uncoated to the weather or when coated only with stain-type finishes, which are less protective against moisture penetration.

Origin of Timber

VIC, SA, NZ, Africa, North America

Origin of Timber - Other

USA (California), Mexico, Extensive in NZ, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Spain

Readily Available

NSW, VIC, SA, TAS, QLD, WA, NZ

Availability - Further Information

Because of the large areas being planted with this species in Australia and NZ, Radiata Pine is destined to be the major general purpose timber in Australia.

Source of Timber

Plantation

Applications

External Cladding

The natural appeal, versatility and strength of timber makes it the superior choice for external cladding. Through specification, planning, design and finishing processes, timber cladding not only creates a building of superior strength, acoustic and thermal performance but also creates a place of beauty, style and natural appeal.
Flooring

Whether for structural or finished flooring applications, timber offers durability, versatility and adaptability. The warmth, strength and natural beauty of timber flooring has proved enduringly popular in a wide variety of interior settings.
Internal Paneling

Timber paneling creates interiors as warm as they are stylish. Commonly utilising an MDF or plywood substrate, internal timber paneling is natural and versatile and comes as either solid natural timber panels or as sheets of engineered wood products
Retaining Walls (Landscaping)

When it comes to retaining wall, landscape design and construction, timber is the natural choice. A material that is durable, sturdy and reliable, it boasts natural aesthetics that help it blend seamlessly with the outdoors. Careful consideration during the specification and design process will facilitate the creation of a long lasting, durable and eye catching timber retaining wall that will complement its surrounding landscape for years to come.
Shear walls

Lateral loads such as wind or earthquake on framed timber buildings - either post and beam or stud and joist - need to be resisted and shear walls and diaphragms offer an effective and economical solution.
Structural Timber Poles

Timber poles are utilised in structural construction to provide support for gravity loads and resistance against lateral forces. Not only serving a structural function, timber poles provide many aesthetic benefits, with their use in construction often complementing architectural designs aimed at harmonisation with the natural environment.
Timber Joinery Products

Timber joinery products offer a classic, unique and stylish touch to any interior design.
Timber Mouldings

Mouldings are extremely versatile and durable, enhancing the aesthetics of any interior and functioning as the icing on the cake for designs with a focus on beauty and splendour.

Case Studies

Kew House 3

Vibe Design Group’s, Kew House 3 uses timbers natural warmth and appeal to not only wrap a dynamic exterior but also evoke a journey of discovery within the home.

Applications: Decking, External Cladding, Fencing, Flooring, Timber Joinery Products,
Letterbox House, Blairgowrie

A holiday home that uses a range of commercial timber products and salvaged on-site timber to award winning effect.

Applications: Architectural Roof Trusses, Doors, External Cladding, Fencing, Flooring, Framing, Windows,
Lewis St House, Thornbury

A stunning residential renovation and addition that uses timber and timber products throughout with a commitment to sustainable design.

Applications: Architectural Roof Trusses, Doors, External Cladding, Flooring, Framing, Interior Stairs, Windows,
Mingara One Fitness Centre

A breathtaking addition to the Mingara Recreation Club campus on the NSW central coast, covering 2000sqm of commercial gymnasium over two levels.

Applications: Doors, External Cladding, Flooring, Interior Stairs, Internal Paneling,
Narrabeen House

Narrabeen House – an innovative use of timber and timber products creates a private paradise in the suburbs.

Applications: Doors, External Cladding, Fencing, Framing, Interior Stairs, Internal Paneling, Structural Timber Poles, Windows,
National Portrait Gallery, Canberra

Jarrah, Spotted Gum, Blackbutt and Victorian Ash play an essential role in the National Portrait Gallery’s expression of Australian identity.

Applications: Architectural Roof Trusses, External Cladding, Flooring, Framing, Interior Stairs, Internal Paneling, Windows,
NMIT Arts & Media Building, New Zealand

A world first for its innovative use of LVL in the structure of a multi‐storey building, the NMIT building also incorporates a new generation of earthquake-resistant engineering technology.

Applications: Doors, Framing, Interior Stairs, Internal Paneling, Shear walls, Structural Timber Poles,
Svarmisk Resort Centre, Mt Beauty

A striking eco-resort that embodies the essence of new and recycled timber working together to form a unique, innovative and sustainable development.

Applications: External Cladding, Flooring, Framing, Interior Rails and Balustrades, Interior Stairs, Internal Paneling, Pergolas, Shear walls, Structural Timber Poles,
The Dickson Apartments, Little Bay

An innovative coastal refurbishment where the use of timber contributed to an environmentally sustainable development while respecting the site's heritage significance.

Applications: Doors, Exterior Rails and Balustrades, Exterior Stairs, External Cladding, Fencing, Framing, Interior Rails and Balustrades, Interior Stairs, Internal Paneling, Retaining Walls (Landscaping), Timber Portal Frames, Windows,
Yuille Park Community College

A school becomes an integrated community hub where the versatile qualities of timber are used throughout to create an award-winning learning environment.

Applications: Flooring, Framing, Internal Paneling, Shear walls,