Wood lexicon Types of wood

Spruce

[Spruce]; [Picea abies]; Trade names European spruce, Nordic spruce, red spruce, red fir, Baltic whitewood, spruce

Spruce wood dictionary

Origin

Europe, Russia

bulk density

0,43 - 0,48 g/cc

durability class

4 (little permanent)

radial shrinkage

4,1%

Tangential shrinkage

8,7%

wood color

light pink to light yellow

wood structure

Annual rings clearly structured

Usage

Construction wood, cellulose, sauna wood, decking wood (impregnated)

Spruce wood is one of the most important woods in the German wood trade and the most important German wood supplier. A third of the forest area in Germany is covered by spruce. As one of the cheapest European woods, it is used as pulp for paper production, as pallet wood or construction wood. Due to its low resistance (class 4), it can only be used as decking wood after impregnation

The German plantation tree

Every third tree in Germany is a spruce. Similar to plantain wood in the tropics, spruce is also usually planted in Europe under heavily cultivated conditions. A spruce forest usually stands in rank and file. Due to regular thinning, the forest floor is hardly covered by old growth. The trees grow relatively quickly for the temperate climate conditions.

Spruce wood is by far the most commonly used building and construction wood in civil engineering. However, it should not be used outdoors without protection, as it is not very durable.

Spruce decking boards

Despite its poor outdoor durability, spruce wood is also offered as a very cheap decking board. In order for the wood to last 5 to 8 years, it is pressure-treated. After that, it usually has a greenish color. In addition to its low resistance class, the strong resin formation of the wood and the tendency to splinter speak against outdoor use.

Sources: GD wood, Wikipedia, Cirad Tropix 7

ab 6,10 

Cumaru decking, FSC 100%
Price from: €70 per m2, resistance class: 1

Advantages: ✓ best durability ✓ particularly robust and scratch-resistant

Disadvantages: ✗ partly rough surface ✗ high power development

Tip: Sand the floorboards after they have been exposed to the weather for the first time.

ab 8,75 

Cumaru decking, FSC 100%
Price from: €70 per m2, resistance class: 1

Advantages: ✓ best durability ✓ particularly robust and scratch-resistant

Disadvantages: ✗ partly rough surface ✗ high power development

Tip: Sand the floorboards after they have been exposed to the weather for the first time.

ab 11,50 

Cumaru decking, FSC 100%
Price from: €70 per m2, resistance class: 1

Advantages: ✓ best durability ✓ particularly robust and scratch-resistant

Disadvantages: ✗ partly rough surface ✗ high power development

Tip: Sand the floorboards after they have been exposed to the weather for the first time.

ab 9,10 

Garapa decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: €65 per m2, resistance class: 1-2

Advantages: ✓ smooth surface ✓ homogeneous, light color

Disadvantages: ✗ Substances containing iron lead to discoloration ✗ Unscrewed tends to warp

Tip: Patio cleaning removes discoloration and
Professional interim storage avoids delay.

ab 9,80 

Garapa decking boards, FSC 100%
Price from: €65 per m2, resistance class: 1-2

Advantages: ✓ smooth surface ✓ homogeneous, light color

Disadvantages: ✗ Substances containing iron lead to discoloration ✗ Unscrewed tends to warp

Tip: Patio cleaning removes discoloration and
Professional interim storage avoids delay.

ab 9,10 

Jatoba decking, FSC 100%
Price from: €65 per m2, resistance class: 1-2

Advantages: ✓ smooth surface ✓ strong color and grain

Disadvantages:✗ unoiled tendency to crack ✗ colored ingredients wash out

Tip: Clean and oil decking boards after installation.

ab 3,50 

Teak decking, FSC 100%
Price from: €130 per m2, resistance class: 1

Advantages: ✓ Best durability and dimensional stability ✓ Lowest risk of cracks and splinters

Disadvantages: ✗ relatively expensive ✗ not very long boards

Tip: Lay decking boards together.

ab 6,50 

Teak decking, FSC 100%
Price from: €130 per m2, resistance class: 1

Advantages: ✓ Best durability and dimensional stability ✓ Lowest risk of cracks and splinters

Disadvantages: ✗ relatively expensive ✗ not very long boards

Tip: Lay decking boards together.

ab 6,80 

Teak decking, FSC 100%
Price from: €130 per m2, resistance class: 1

Advantages: ✓ Best durability and dimensional stability ✓ Lowest risk of cracks and splinters

Disadvantages: ✗ relatively expensive ✗ not very long boards

Tip: Lay decking boards together.