-
Featured Project
The acoustic properties of timber make it a natural for a school auditorium
-
General Resources
-
Why Wood Articles
-
What is...
Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF)
Spruce-Pine-Fir, or SPF, is the generic name for a variety of softwood species, even-grained and yellowish-white in colour, imported from North America and used in housing construction frames.
Redwood | Sequoia sempervirens
Redwood is a durable and highly attractive softwood popular for outdoor uses such as cladding and decking, garden furniture and windows.
Redwood’s rich colouring and durability make it a natural choice for use indoors and out.
Other Names: Californian Redwood, Coast Redwood, Sequoia
Overview
The Sequoia or California Redwood is one of the world's most recognisable trees. The strength and rich colours of its softwood timber make it much sought after for decorative purposes, such as paneling, and for outdoor purposes such as decking, fences and garden furniture.
The heartwood is pale to dark reddish brown, and the sapwood narrow and creamy. Texture is fine and usually even, because there is little difference between the early and late wood. The grain is straight and the wood is not resinous.
Redwood works easily with both hand and machine tools, with little dulling effect on tools. It planes well, provided the cutters are sharp and it splinters easily when working on the end grain. It holds nails well, and paints and finishes satisfactorily. It also stains well, but glues best with alkaline adhesives. The heart wood is more resistant to decay and insects than the sap wood.
The distinctive and very attractive colouring of Redwood makes it highly sought after for decorative purposes, such as paneling and cladding, while its resistance to weather and insects makes it a natural choice for external joinery, outdoor furniture, windows and greenhouses. Similarly, its durability makes it useful for vats and tanks.
Today in the USA, a total of 364,000 ha of second growth forest are under active management for timber production.
Significant quantities of California Redwood are imported, though it is also grown in Victoria. It is readily available all over Australia.
Properties
Shrinkage
| Very Low | Low | Medium | High | Very High | |
Tangential: |
|||||
| 0.0 | |||||
| Radial: | 0 - 2 |
Strength Group
| Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium High | Medium | Reasonably Low | Low | Very Low | |
| Unseasoned: | S1 | S2 | S3 | S4 | S5 | S6 | S7 | |
| Seasoned: | SD1 | SD2 | SD3 | SD4 | SD5 | SD6 | SD7 | SD8 |
Stress Grade
| Structural No. 1 |
Structural No. 2 |
Structural No. 3 |
Structural No. 4 |
Structural No. 5 |
|
| Unseasoned: | F14 | F11 | F8 | F7 | F5 |
| Seasoned: | F27 | F22 | F17 | F14 | F11 |
Density per Standard
| Unseasoned: | 0 kg/m3 |
|---|---|
| Seasoned: | 450 kg/m3 |
Joint Group
| Very High | High | Reasonably High | Medium | Low | Very Low | |
| Unseasoned: | J1 | J2 | J3 | J4 | J5 | J6 |
| Seasoned: | JD1 | JD2 | JD3 | JD4 | JD5 | JD6 |
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: |
52 |
|---|---|
| Modulus of Rupture - Seasoned: |
69 |
| Modulus of Elasticity - Unseasoned: |
8.1 |
| Modulus of Elasticity - Seasoned: |
9.2 |
| Maximum Crushing Strength - Unseasoned: |
29 |
| Maximum Crushing Strength - Seasoned: |
42 |
| Hardness - Unseasoned: |
1.8 |
| Hardness - Seasoned: |
2.1 |
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 |
|---|---|
| Termite Resistance: |
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: |
| 1 - non-combustible | 2 - reasonably non-combustible | 3 - slightly combustible | 4 - combustible | |
| Fire Properties Group Number: |
| Bushfire Resistance: |
Not Tested |
|---|
Description
| Botanical Name: | Sequoia sempervirens |
|---|---|
| Preferred Common Name: | Redwood |
| Other Names: | Californian Redwood, Coast Redwood, Sequoia |
| Species Type: | Softwood |
Appearance
Redwood heartwood is pale to dark reddish brown and the sapwood narrow and creamy. Texture is fine and usually even because there is little difference between the early wood and the late. The grain is straight and the wood is not resinous.
Common Applications
The distinctive colouring of Redwood makes it highly sought after for decorative purposes, such as for paneling and cladding, while its resistance to weather and insects makes it a natural choice for external joinery, outdoor furniture, windows and greenhouses. Similarly, its durability makes it useful for vats and tanks.
Common Form
Sawn
Workability
Redwood works easily with both hand and machine tools, with little dulling effect on tools. It planes well, provided the cutters are sharp, but it splinters easily when working on the end grain. It holds nails well, and paints and finishes satisfactorily. It also stains well, but glues best with alkaline adhesives.
Origin of Timber
VIC, North America
Readily Available
NSW, VIC, SA, TAS, QLD, WA
Availability - Further Information
Significant quantities of California Redwood are imported, though it is also grown in Victoria. It is readily available all over Australia.
Source of Timber
Native Forest, Plantation
Applications
-
Decking
Timber decking creates spaces that are functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing. With the right design and care a timber deck will make a valuable addition to any home or business, creating an outdoor living space that will be enjoyed for years to come.
-
Doors
Timber is one of the most popular and superior material choices for both internal and external doors. Whether manufactured from solid or engineered timber, there are many stylish and practical options that won't compromise on strength and structural performance. A distinctive timber door can also create visual impact, adding value to any commercial or domestic building.
-
Exterior Stairs
For outdoor applications, timber is one of the leading material choices. Timber use in external staircase applications creates structures of strength and durability, sheathed in a natural beauty that blends seamlessly with the outdoor environment.
-
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.
-
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
-
Pergolas
A timber pergola is a practical, functional and attractive way to extend living and entertainment spaces into the outdoors.
-
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.
-
Timber Joinery Products
Timber joinery products offer a classic, unique and stylish touch to any interior design.
-
Windows
With natural aesthetic appeal, versatility and sound structural performance, timber provides excellent window joinery design options. Whether stained to bring out natural tones, or painted to compliment particular décors, timber windows can be tailored to suit a huge variety of styles and can be installed into any type of building.
All Comments (0)