Hello friends! If you’re working on a building project or even just planning something simple like a deck, fence, or even a treehouse, you’ve probably heard of Douglas Fir vs Cedar Span Chart: Which is the Best Wood?. These are two of the most common types of wood used in construction, and they each have their strengths and weaknesses. But one important thing you’ll need to know is how far you can span a piece of this wood before it starts to sag or break. This is what we call the span chart.
In this article, we’ll dive into the Douglas Fir vs Cedar span chart and try to understand which wood is better for your project based on how much weight it can carry and how far it can stretch. Don’t worry; we’ll keep it simple, and by the end, you’ll have a clear idea of which wood is right for you!
What is a Span Chart?
Before we dive into Douglas Fir vs Cedar, let’s first talk about what a span chart actually is. A span chart tells us how far apart support beams can be placed under a piece of wood while it still holds up. Think of it like this: if you were building a shelf and you placed two supports really far apart, the wood in the middle could bend, right? The span chart helps you avoid that by showing you how strong the wood is over a certain distance.
Span charts take into account things like:
- The type of wood
- The size of the wood (thickness and width)
- The load or weight it needs to carry
This information is super helpful when you’re deciding between Douglas Fir and Cedar for things like roof beams, floor joists, or even deck boards.
Douglas Fir vs Cedar Span Chart: Which One is Stronger?
Now, let’s get to the big question: Which wood can span farther—Douglas Fir or Cedar?
Douglas Fir is known for its strength and durability. It’s often used in big projects like building houses, bridges, and even boats! The reason it’s so popular is that it’s a really strong wood that can carry a lot of weight over long distances. It has a high strength-to-weight ratio, which means it can handle heavier loads without sagging too much.
On the other hand, Cedar is softer and lighter than Douglas Fir. It’s not as strong, but it has its own superpowers! Cedar is naturally resistant to rot and bugs, which makes it great for outdoor projects like fences, decks, and outdoor furniture. Because of its lighter weight, it’s easier to work with and cut. But, when it comes to spanning long distances, Cedar isn’t as strong as Douglas Fir.
Here’s a simple table that shows the differences in their span abilities:
| Wood Type | Max Span (2×8 size) | Strength | Weight | Best Used For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas Fir | 12-14 feet | Very High | Medium | Roof beams, floor joists |
| Cedar | 9-11 feet | Medium | Light | Fences, decks, furniture |
From this, we can see that Douglas Fir can span longer distances without sagging compared to Cedar. So, if you’re building something that needs to be super strong, like a roof or floor, Douglas Fir is your best bet. But if you’re working on something outdoors and want to avoid the hassle of treating the wood for rot, then Cedar might be the better option.
Benefits of Douglas Fir and Cedar
Let’s look at the benefits of each wood a bit more closely to help you decide which one fits your needs!
Douglas Fir
- Strength: As we said earlier, Douglas Fir is really strong! It can hold heavy loads over long distances, which makes it perfect for important structural elements like beams and joists.
- Workability: Even though it’s strong, it’s still fairly easy to work with. Carpenters and builders love it because it cuts smoothly and doesn’t splinter as much as other woods.
- Cost: Douglas Fir tends to be more affordable than Cedar because it’s widely available. This is a big bonus if you’re on a tight budget!
- Durability: While it’s not as rot-resistant as Cedar, Douglas Fir is still durable, especially if treated with preservatives.
Cedar
- Rot-Resistance: This is where Cedar really shines. If you’re building something that will be outside, like a deck or fence, Cedar’s natural ability to resist moisture and bugs makes it an amazing choice.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Cedar has a beautiful color and grain pattern that many people love for its natural, rustic look. It also smells really nice!
- Lightweight: Cedar is much lighter than Douglas Fir, so it’s easier to handle, especially if you’re working on a DIY project.
- Long-lasting: Even though it’s not as strong as Douglas Fir, Cedar can still last a long time if used correctly and in the right setting, like for outdoor furniture.
Which Wood Should You Choose?
At the end of the day, the choice between Douglas Fir and Cedar depends on what you’re building and where it will be used.
- If you’re building something indoors that needs to carry a heavy load, like a floor or roof, Douglas Fir is the clear winner. Its strength and ability to span long distances make it ideal for structural work.
- If you’re building something outdoors, like a deck, fence, or outdoor furniture, Cedar might be the better option because of its natural resistance to weather and bugs. Plus, it looks really good and smells great!
Douglas Fir vs Cedar Span Chart (More Details)
Here’s another important point to keep in mind: not all Douglas Fir and Cedar are created equal! The grade of the wood matters a lot when looking at span charts. Higher-grade wood (like #1 grade Douglas Fir) can span further than lower-grade wood (like #2 or #3 grade). So when you’re checking out a span chart, make sure you know which grade of wood you’re looking at.
Also, the size of the wood you’re using matters. For example, a 2×10 piece of wood can span much further than a 2×6. Here’s a basic span chart for common sizes of Douglas Fir and Cedar for floor joists (assuming a standard residential load of 40 pounds per square foot):
| Wood Type | Size | Max Span (40 psf load) |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas Fir | 2×6 | 10-12 feet |
| Douglas Fir | 2×8 | 12-14 feet |
| Cedar | 2×6 | 8-10 feet |
| Cedar | 2×8 | 9-11 feet |
As you can see, Douglas Fir generally spans 2-3 feet further than Cedar, especially when dealing with heavier loads. This is why you often see Douglas Fir being used for framing floors and roofs, while Cedar is used for trim, siding, and outdoor projects.
Douglas Fir vs Cedar Span Chart – The Final Verdict
So, friends, now that we’ve looked at both Douglas Fir and Cedar in terms of their span charts and other qualities, it’s clear that each wood has its own place in the world of construction.
If strength is your top priority and you need a wood that can handle long spans without bending, then Douglas Fir is your hero. It’s perfect for indoor projects, structural beams, and floors. On the flip side, if you’re looking for something that’s naturally resistant to the elements and has a beautiful, rustic look, then Cedar is a fantastic choice for outdoor projects like decks, fences, and furniture.
In the end, both are wonderful options depending on your needs. Whether you’re building a strong foundation with Douglas Fir or creating a beautiful outdoor space with Cedar, you can’t go wrong. Now that you know how each wood performs, you’re one step closer to completing your project like a pro!
