Structural Larch
Larch for structural work
Larch is a softwood not as commonly used as Douglas Fir is another good homegrown construction timber that is becoming more readily available.
As far as strength and performance, it is a slightly durable timber and has good mechanical strength properties. It has an average density of 550kg/m³ when dry (12% moisture) although the fresh sawn timber will be at a much higher moisture content and therefore heavier/more dense.
It is a good insulator for heat, noise and for electricity and being a dense timber it is a also poor conductor of heat and is resistant to fire.
Structural grade, nominally C16, homegrown Larch is generally fresh sawn to required dimensions as custom orders. With careful grading Larch can achieve structural grade C24. Standard dimensions available will be in sections up to 300mm and lengths up to 5.0m.
Larch can also be used for glulaminating and other timber engineering methods, thereby increasing the strength and making optimum use of local sources of timber.
Cost of Larch is less than that of Oak and Chestnut but is on a par with the other homegrown softwoods.
Notes
Heartwood colouring is pale orange brown with light narrow sapwood. When fresh sawn it is a much brighter colour but this pales with drying and can silver or grey down depending on orientation and exposure.
Related Links
Structural Local Timber Products
Structural Douglas Fir
Structural Oak
Structural Chestnut
