Larch has become a particularly important and valuable material in the European and global timber market. Consumers appreciate this wood species because of its hardness and density (730 kg / m3), highlighting its longevity as well as the wood’s biological resistance to the impact of extreme external conditions. In addition, it should be mentioned that the larch wood has pleasant colors and nice design structure.
Larch wood is one of the best materials, if their ability to resist the impact of external factors is compared. Its structure, where both wood density and resin content is so high, makes larch species the firmest against rot. That is why the larch material is very widely used in the construction of exterior decoration works, shipbuilding, hydro-technical structures, as well as many other areas.
In this section, we want to show how wide is the use of larch on a real job basis. Perhaps you’ll find some idea useful exactly for your projects.
1. Terrace
Definitely the most popular use of larch is decking and patio construction materials. Popular terrace boards sizes are 27-28mm (thickness) x 120 or 145mm (width). The recommended humidity level of 14-22%. Preferably, the terrace boards has anti-slip grooves, that reduce slipping in wet weather or near the swimming pool. Terrace should be processed with terrace oils such as linseed oil, which will create a protective barrier against moisture and UV rays.
2. Facade
Any building needs a facade. It is recommended that it should be made of wood, because it provides a number of functions – regulates thermal exchange between indoors and outdoors, keeps the microclimate in the building, protects the wall from the changing weather conditions and creates a pleasant image of the building. Thanks to the development of design and architecture, nowadays the use of wood for facade elements has gained a new “breath” and again has become fashionable. You can use a variety of cladding profiles and sizes, depending on the client’s fantasies and goals.
3. Fences (fence panels)
Fence makes the first impression of your home. Wooden fences have traditionally been the most popular fence material because out of wood you can make a wide range of fences – both simple and practical, complex and meeting your individual requirements. Before choosing the type of fence, you have to know what will be the aim and functions of the specific fence.
4. Building materials, laths, beams, boards
Professional builders often use larch timber for several reasons. Beams are used in areas where there is a need for load resistance, because larch’s mechanical strength, compression and static bending and the tension, and the modulus of elasticity, are well above the spruce and pine indicators, but some mechanical properties are better than the oak material. Also, often laths are used for roof and wall lathing. But the most popular is the use of larch sawn timber are bearing land in the vicinity of water, as other coniferous (also impregnated) in the following areas rot relatively quickly.
5. Wooden roofing
Unlike modern as though cheaper roofing coverings, wood is not only a refuge against precipitation, but also very good thermal insulation material. They are especially popular in the Scandinavia’s north, where there is a fairly harsh climate. At today’s high cost of thermal energy, it is essential that the house does not give away the precious warmth, while its main thermal outflow is from the roof … As a major minus relatively high costs should be mentioned, but take into account that in the long run, based on the saved heat, the roof re-earn itself with a premium. Needless to say, it looks pretty original and gives the building individuality.
6. Wooden houses, garden houses and log houses
Wooden houses are one of the oldest types of housing and are popular even nowadays. There are not many building materials, which are able to compete with the tree. Because the tree is an ecological building material, wood is a great thermostat (does not get hot in the summer, not freeze in the winter, does not give away the heat), the tree breathes thereby regulates the moisture level indoors, wood is a sustainable building material, it is quite easily accessible, easily processed and of course aesthetically beautiful building material. In Nordic countries as well as in mountainous regions, wooden houses are constructed directly from larch. While living in a wooden house one lives in warm, ecological and economic environment.
7. Garden furniture, gazebos, pergolas, flower boxes, etc.
In tastefully fitted garden, almost always will have wooden goods – wood garden furniture, gazebos, pergolas, flower boxes, etc. These wooden elements are constantly in contact with all of the weather conditions – sun rays, rain, snow, frost, -threatening the longevity of wood. In addition to the weather conditions longevity of wooden furniture is threaten by other existing factors in the garden – decomposing mown grass, soil, fertilizers, pests and so on, so people prefer the larch timber, which is more sustainable against all the above-mentioned threats, in comparison to other coniferous species materials.
8. Children playgrounds, sandboxes
Another wide range of larch use, are children’s playgrounds and sandboxes. Because for these things have a direct exposure to weather conditions and bearing structures longevity is very important. Also it is important for the timber which is in the contact with children, wouldn’t be impregnated with poisonous antiseptics. Children safety and health is the main priority for all parents.
9. Windows, doors, frames
Thanks to a variety of wood protection products and modern technologies, wooden building materials can be produced more durable, eliminating the shortcomings as damage and unsafety against fire. In wooden window and door manufacturing today glued wood without ramification is used. This provides material with a higher resistance to weathering and mechanical impact, preventing the possibilities of deformation, but retaining the inherent positive qualities of wood.
10. Exterior decorative elements, columns, stairs, cornices.
Decorative elements give the house its “charm” – individuality and form a home’s image. Such items highlight the personality of the owner, character and sense of style. They can be both traditional and modern, and exotic. It is also relevant that in most cases, these elements also fulfill the practical and technological functions.
11. Hydro-building, docks, ships and boats.
Larch has for centuries been one of the major building materials in the construction of ships, berths and port construction, hydrotechnical construction. Needless to say, Venice even today stands on the larch piles. In this area larch often replaces oak wood, because it also practically does not rot in water (including sea water), it is very durable, because larch is cheaper, easier to treat, and is available in large quantities. While, many of the mechanical, chemical and practical properties is not necessarily worse than the oak’s characteristics.
12. Agricultural technical constructions.
In agriculture larch is used in grain dryers inner finish, grain storage bunkers interior construction, grain and vegetable bins construction. As the main reason has to be mentioned this timber’s ecology, because it is not saturated with antiseptics. The second characteristic is the resistance to mold – larch hardwood, unlike other conifers – does not blue stain. The third characteristic is the relatively small insect and pest interest in larch materials – because their resins are rich with a variety of chemical elements, which deters pests.
Larch material is used in animal husbandry for animal pens and stables construction. Barn is a very hostile environment for any timber and in this environment it will quickly grow with mold. Because larch is very resistant to rot, it has gained great popularity in the construction of stables and barns in Scandinavia, Russia and Canada.
13. The communication and infrastructure networks.
Electricity poles, antennas, phone poles, railroad ties.
14. Floor boards, hardwood flooring and sports floor.
Larch material has very good abrasion resistance, load resistance and flexibility, especially for radially cut boards. Therefore, it is especially valuable material for different floors, hardwood parquet floors and sports production and construction. In the Sports floor use, as the brightest example is mentioned cycle track “Krilatskoje”, where the Olympic Games took place in 1980. While, room larch floor gives a unique look to the interior, warmth and coziness.
15. Interior cladding, furniture
Thanks to the beautiful larch wood texture, forming a special and unique appearance, it is widely used in joinery – in the the manufacturing of furniture and various slat and jamb production, and internal cladding boards production.
16. Musical instruments
Properly prepared larch wood is endowed with wonderful acoustic properties. That is why in the Middle Ages in Germany, larch elements were used in the construction of church organs. Many of these organs sound even today.
17. Pharmacy
Larch’s needles are rich with vitamin C, essential oils, ascorbic acid and carotene. Larch resin also contains many valuable chemical elements and substances. So for a long history in Russia larch needles, resin, heartwood and the sapwood were used in folk medicine and pharmacy.
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