Douglas fir is a native wood species and has a beautiful, warm and slightly reddish color that is similar to larch wood. It is quite weather-resistant and can therefore also be used for garden furniture and patio floors.
Prices for Douglas fir decking boards
Terrace boards made of Douglas fir wood are usually sold in widths of 140 or 145 millimeters and cost between two and three euros per running meter. Equipping a terrace with such boards costs around 15 to 20 euros per square meter plus the expenses for the substructure and fastening materials. Square tiles are available in dimensions of 50 x 50 or 100 x 100 centimeters. Their price per square meter is about the same as that for the floorboards, but tiles made of Douglas fir wood are rarely offered in stores.
Douglas fir wood is also suitable for covering the terrace and can be built there in the form of a pergola that can be covered with greenery. Privacy screens, garden houses, gazebos and garden furniture are also made from this wood. With good care and regular painting with a wood oil, they have a very good durability. In a dry location with strong sunlight, it may be necessary to oil more often to prevent the wood from drying out and becoming cracked, but in a damp location, good ventilation should be provided to prevent the wood from warping.
Durability and care
Douglas fir wood has natural protection and can therefore be used untreated even where it gets wet from time to time. In a protected location, it does not necessarily need to be provided with wood protection. On the other hand, on terraces without a roof and in places where it is constantly exposed to the sun, it should be painted with a wood oil to improve its durability.
These oils penetrate the wood and protect it from drying out so that cracks do not form in the wood. In addition, color pigments are usually added to the oils, which support the reddish tone of the wood and also prevent the wood from turning gray over time. These oils cost around 10 to 15 euros per liter, which is sufficient for an area of around 20 square meters. They should only ever be applied in a thin layer, otherwise the pores will become clogged and the wood can no longer breathe.
Restore color to grayed wood
Douglas fir wood, like other types of outdoor wood, will develop a patina over time if not painted regularly. However, this gray layer can be removed with a de-greying agent so that the wood returns to its original color. Such a gray remover is applied to the wood and worked in with a brush. It is then rinsed off the wooden surfaces with plenty of water. This process can be repeated several times until the result is satisfactory. After using a degreying agent, the treated wood should be allowed to dry for a few days before being treated with a wood oil.
