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Spruce-Pine-Fir | Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Pinus banksiana, Abies alba
Spruce-Pine-Fir, or SPF, is the generic name for a variety of softwood species imported from North America and used for housing construction frames.
Spruce-Pine-Fir, or SPF, is the generic name for a variety of softwood species imported from North America and used for housing construction frames.
Other Names: White Spruce, Black Spruce, Jack Pine, Balsam Fir, Lodgepole Pine, Black Spruce, Engelmann Spruce, Red Spruce, SPF
Overview
Spruce-Pine-Fir, or SPF, is the generic name for a range of timbers originating from North America. The eight species marketed under this name are White Spruce, Black Spruce, Jack pPne, Balsam Fir, Lodgepole Pine, Engelmann Spruce, and Red Spruce. SPF can be used for boxes, crates, and general millwork, though in Australia it is only used for housing construction frames.
There is little difference between the heartwood and sapwood, both of which are a yellowish white. It is even-grained, medium to fine-textured, and produces a lustrous finish. It is without characteristic odour or taste.
SPF glues well, is easily worked, and holds paint and nails satisfactorily. It is hard to penetrate with preservatives and is not very durable.
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: | |||||
| Seasoned: | F11 | F8 | F7 | F5 | F4 |
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 |
| 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
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: |
| 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: |
| 1 - non-combustible | 2 - reasonably non-combustible | 3 - slightly combustible | 4 - combustible | |
| Fire Properties Group Number: |
| Bushfire Resistance: |
Not Tested |
|---|
Description
| Botanical Name: | Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Pinus banksiana, Abies alba |
|---|---|
| Preferred Common Name: | Spruce-Pine-Fir |
| Other Names: | White Spruce, Black Spruce, Jack Pine, Balsam Fir, Lodgepole Pine, Black Spruce, Engelmann Spruce, Red Spruce, SPF |
| Species Type: | Softwood |
Appearance
SPF is soft, straight, even-grained, medium to fine-textured, and produces a lustrous finish. The heartwood is a pale yellowish white, and there is little difference between the heartwood and sapwood.
Common Applications
Overseas SPF is used for frames, general millwork, boxes and crates, though it is only imported into Australia for housing construction frames.
Common Form
Sawn
Workability
Spruce-Pine-Fir is easily worked, glues well, is average in paint holding ability, and takes nails and screws satisfactorily. It is not very durable and is difficult to penetrate with preservatives.
Origin of Timber
North America
Readily Available
NSW, VIC, SA, TAS, QLD, WA
Availability - Further Information
Spruce-Pine-Fir is imported into Australia for housing construction frames only.
Source of Timber
Plantation
Applications
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