ABOUT PORCHES --- PORCH HOW-TO --- WOOD SPECIES
We use only SOLID WOOD for our spindles and railing. Benefits over glue-laminated, finger-jointed wood offered by other companies include:
- Solid wood has a single piece grain structure for a better feel and look.
- Solid wood components contain more heartwood (highest quality part of the log), whereas laminated pieces often have more sapwood (lower quality wood).
- Solid wood can be stained and will look very attractive. Because of the inconsistent grain structure of laminated stock, staining often creates an eyesore.
High density polyurethane
For those that want a synthetic balustrade, we offer only polyurethane products. This material looks, feels, sounds, and cuts like wood.
What about vinyl or PVC?
Unlike polyurethane, vinyl and PVC products are hollow and therefore don't feel or sound like the real thing. Also, vinyl and PVC balustrade systems have a plastic-like finish that is a turnoff for most homeowners. It looks and feels like plastic because it is, well, plastic.
So what do you want on your most valuable asset?
Port Orford Cedar
Why does Western Spindle use Port Orford Cedar when virtually all other companies are using Western Red Cedar? Because it's BETTER! Port Orford Cedar enjoys the same exceptional exterior wood qualities as other cedars and redwood such as rot and insect resistance, but the parallels end there. Port Orford Cedar is harder, heavier, stronger, tighter grained, and machines to a finer finish. In fact it is 40% stronger than all other cedars and redwood. That means Port Orford Cedar on your porch will not only look better, but will withstand abuse like other cedars could never. Your porch will simply be in better shape decades down the road when using Port Orford Cedar.
Characteristics and Properties
The color of Port Orford Cedar wood can be described as a creamy white which allows for limitless options on staining, and does not have the "bleeding" problem often associated with the darker Western Red Cedar. Port Orford Cedar has a fine texture; the grain is straight and even. The wood has a characteristic pungent, ginger like odor and a somewhat bitter, spicy taste (although I can't say I've ever eaten the stuff). One customer described the aroma as similar to a man's cologne. Another said we should bottle the smell of our shop and sell it!
Port Orford Cedar is moderately light in weight for its strength; however, it is stiff, strong, hard, and fairly shock-resistant. It shrinks only slightly during drying, dries quickly after wetting, and has little tendency to warp. It is easily worked with tools. Port Orford Cedar is highly resistant to decay. It polishes well and holds paint longer than most other woods. Unprotected wood weathers to a light gray with a silvery sheen. It does not develop weather checks.
Principal Uses
The small amount of Port Orford Cedar not currently exported is used primarily for archery arrow shafts, which speaks to it's straightness, strength, and stability. It was previously the principal wood used for storage-battery separators. It is also used for Venetian blind slats; sashes, doors, and interior-finish millwork items; mothproof linings for boxes and closets; boats; matches; general construction; and water tanks, bridges, dock planking, railroad ties, and mine timbers. The Japanese substitute imported Port Orford Cedar wood for their native hinoki, or white cedar (Chamaecyparis obtusa), which was favored for centuries by Japanese builders and woodcrafters. They value the wood highly for their woodenware, novelty, and toy industries, and for construction and repair of houses, shrines, and temples.
Common Names
The tree’s most common name, Port Orford Cedar, was first applied to lumber shipped from Port Orford, Oregon, to San Francisco in 1894. The names Port Orford white cedar, Oregon cedar, and white cedar are used less frequently. The name Lawson cypress is widely associated with ornamental use of the tree.
Douglas Fir
Douglas Fir is a very popular exterior millwork wood species. And rightfully so. It is extremely strong, heavy, machines well, is exceptionally beautiful, and holds up very well to years of weather in all climates. Add that to the fact that it is one of the more cost efficient woods available and you have a sure winner for your porch!
Douglas Fir Appearance Characteristics and grades
For versatility and beauty, few woods in the world match the magnificence of Douglas Fir. Its light rosy color is set off by its remarkably straight and handsome grain pattern. It will "redden" over time when exposed to light. Its tough fiber it difficult to work with hand tools. However, it responds admirably to sharp power tools and machines to a smooth surface. It paints easily and can hold all types of stains and finishes.
Moisture content levels are carefully controlled in the highest grades to ensure these premium products will meet the strict dimensional stability requirements of finish carpenters, furniture manufacturers and cabinet makers. When dry, it retains its shape and size and won't check or show a raised grain. Additionally, Douglas Fir has an excellent performance record when used in exposed applications for exterior millwork without ground contact.
Many designers and consumers agree the aesthetic appeal of clear, light, straight, vertical-grain Douglas Fir is unsurpassed among the world's softwood species. The select grades are less abundant and considerably more expensive than lesser grades.
Designers appreciate the rich visual quality of Douglas Fir texture and grain as well as its beautiful response to fine craftsmanship and finishing. A favorite wood for custom cabinets, furniture and millwork, it works easily and resists wear. When sawn to expose vertical grain, Douglas Fir is particularly handsome. When acclimated prior to installation, Douglas Fir retains its shape and size without shrinking, swelling, cupping, warping, bowing or twisting. The uniform grain and tough fiber holds stain well and keeps fasteners firmly in place.
Douglas Fir Structural Characteristics and Attributes
When architects and engineers look for the best in structural lumber, their first choice repeatedly is Douglas Fir. It is dimensionally stable and universally recognized for its superior strength-to-weight ratio. Its high specific gravity provides excellent nail and plate-holding ability. The species also enjoys a documented superior performance against strong forces resulting from natural phenomena such as winds, storms and earthquakes. It is truly the ideal structural and general purpose wood for framing lumber in residential, light commercial, multistory and industrial construction.
These physical working properties, as well as to the moderate durability of its heartwood and its excellent dimensional stability, provide the reasons many builders use Douglas Fir as the standard against which all other framing lumber is judged. It is also tight knotted and close-grained, adding the bonus of beauty to its structural capabilities.
Other woods
In order to keep the cost of production down, we stock only Douglas Fir and Port Orford Cedar. We've narrowed it to these two because we believe they are the absolute best two choices for exterior millwork. If you have another species of wood you would like to use we would be more than happy to accommodate. We have had great success with custom turning everything from Balsa to Ebony, provided by the customer or special ordered from our distributors.
We are constantly looking for new products as markets, supplies, and demands change. Stay tuned for other wood species offerings.
Increase the value of your biggest asset by 30% in one month. Click ONLINE STORE to purchase our stock items. EMAIL or call toll free (888) 459-9965 to place a custom order.
ABOUT PORCHES --- PORCH HOW-TO --- WOOD SPECIES
