A BEST USE FOR BEAMS BY SPECIES

LONG LEAF PINE ^{is very tough & strong. It is 20+ % stronger than Douglas Fir} to be structurally rated. Beams MUST be Air Dried & then Kiln Dried. Lead time is up to 180 days. To produce a dimensioned beam requires an oversize cut & then resawn. When twist occurs, it is due to Beam seeking how it grew naturally; About 1" at worst case. Over 1 inch is warranted & replaced at Mills expense. LONG LEAF PINE IS VERY STABLE AFTER PROCESSING.

Long Leaf Pine is recommended for Exterior Exposure provided the Beam is properly sealed. Our UV Inhibitor and PH neutralizer will work very well to maintain color, and reduce wood degradation. HIGH STRUCTURAL USE - HIGHEST STRENGTH - FOR STABILITY MUST BE FULLY PROCESSED. DOUGLAS FIR that is "Free of Heart" is very strong & stable. The Radial Axis will be Vertical Grain. 60 to 150 days Required to Air Dry, depends upon size. Kiln Drying is not required.

DOUGLAS FIR IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR EXTERIOR EXPOSURE.

HIGH STRUCTURAL USE - VERY STRONG & VERY STABLE

TIDEWATER CYPRESS, not as strong, but the next most stable. Two inches is required both sides of the "Heart" . Requires Air Drying for 30 to 90 days. Large Knots are not allowed. If knotty, the beam must be Kiln Dried for a short period to see if it will bend or twist. "Free of Heart" 6" wide Beams can be cut & structurally rated. The overall strength is 10 to 15 percent less than Douglas Fir.

CYPRESS IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FOR EXTERIOR EXPOSURE.

MEDIUM STRUCTURAL USE - STRONG & STABLE.

EASTERN RED CEDAR has nearly the same characteristics as Cypress. It is to weak to be structurally rated due to many small knots, but has greater stability than Douglas Fir or Cypress.

EASTERN RED CEDAR is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for EXTERIOR EXPOSURE.

LIGHT STRUCTURAL USE - LOW STRENGTH - VERY STABLE. BEST USE FOR LUMBER BY SPECIES

The primary consideration is the ability to hold up under adverse Temperature and Moisture conditions.

EASTERN RED CEDAR is very good. Primarily because this Cedar does not Expand or Contract to any great degree. It is VERY stable even under adverse temperature, and moisture conditions.
CYPRESS is slightly less stable than Cedar with regard to Expansion and Contraction under adverse temperature and moisture conditions.

MESQUITE is by far the best. It simply does not care about, Heat or Cold, Wet or Dry conditions. Mesquite is self sealing against moisture. As an Example; you might expect that over a 120 inch width it could contract or expand 2.5 inches (moisture saturation to oven dry). However, because it self seals, it will only expand or contract about 3/4 inch over a ten foot wide area. This was recently proven in Winberly, Texas when a house flooded, covering the Mesquite floor for hours.

LONG LEAF PINE will stand up to moderate temperature and moisture conditions. It will Expand or Contract the most of these four wood species.

For Cypress and Long Leaf Pine Flooring, narrow vertical grain boards hold up the best.

For more detailed information see the Engineering Specifications and Selection Diagrams for best use of finished product.

The condensed above information comes from;

LIST OF INFORMATION SOURCES:

SPIB (Southern Pine Inspection Bureau), SLMA (Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association), NHLA (National Hardwoods Lumber Association), the United States Department of Agriculture Engineering Work Book, SBCC (Southern Standard Building Code), SPA (Southern Pine Association), NF (National Forest Products Association), FPL (Forest Products Laboratory), and AITC (American Institute of Timber Construction)