Spruce or pine?

[Ehrlemark]

I am going to build a new wooden gate approximately 1 meter wide and have some considerations regarding material selection. If you Google, spruce is often mentioned as a suitable wood, but I can only find it in standard planed studs. The alternative would be planed pine, and in that case, I will probably also need to glue different pieces to get the right dimension for the "framework." What would you use (the gate will be painted white)?

 

[O]

Both spruce and pine are available in many dimensions. However, it's normally the same for spruce and pine.

On the other hand, pine and spruce have slightly different properties. I assume you are aware of that. Why isn't pine suitable for your gate?

 

[fribygg]

Pine, dense spruce, or oak I think you should go for.

 

[O]

Why do you think it fits when TS preferably wants spruce?

 

[fribygg]

I am going to build a new wooden gate about 1 meter wide and have some thoughts about the choice of materials. Googling often mentions spruce as a suitable wood, but I can only find it in regular planed timber. The alternative would be planed pine, and in that case, I would probably also need to glue different pieces together to get the right dimension for the "framework." What would you use (the gate will be painted white)?

What type of wood would you prefer?

I would choose dense, resin-rich pine or oak for long-lasting durability on the gate.

 

[Workingclasshero]

Why do you think it's suitable when TS prefers spruce?

TS had googled spruce as suitable, nothing else.
I used larch for my gates.
With a circular saw, you can easily reduce to chosen dimensions.
Spend time on proper surface treatment, and red rot protection if it needs to be pegged, try to get tight joints so that water doesn't seep in, and it will last longer.
/W

 

[Ehrlemark]

Both spruce and pine come in many dimensions. But it is normally the same for spruce and pine.

However, pine and spruce have slightly different properties. I assume you are aware of that. Why isn't pine suitable for your gate?

I have checked with Byggmax, Beijer, Bauhaus, etc., but as I said, only found spruce in battens and type exterior panel. Nothing planed. Do you know any place in the Stockholm area with a better range?

 

[Ehrlemark]

Why do you think it fits when TS preferably wants fir?

Maybe a dumb question but what does TS mean?

 

[Plupp 405730]

Maybe a stupid question, but what does TS mean?

It's you in this thread..
TS= thread starter

 

[O]

Maybe a dumb question but what does TS mean?

Maybe also dumb questions:

1. Why do you want planed wood?
2. Why does spruce suit your gate best?
3. Will the gate be indoors?

But if you don't ask, you won't know😄
And without knowing, you can't answer so well...🤔

 

[fribygg]

I've checked with Byggmax, Beijer, Bauhaus, etc., but as I said, only found spruce in studs and like outer panels. Nothing planed. Do you know any place in the Stockholm area with a better selection?

A serious construction store will order what you need; if you look thoroughly on Beijer's website, you'll see that they offer pine in different qualities and dimensions.

I would rather buy the timber from a small producer/sawmill as I find Beijer unnecessarily expensive.

 

[Ehrlemark]

A serious building supplier will get what you need, if you look carefully at Beijer's website, you'll see that they offer pine in different qualities and dimensions.

I would rather buy the timber from a small producer/sawmill as I think Beijer is unnecessarily expensive.

I have found heart pine as decking timber in a few places. So I'm leaning towards buying those and then cutting them to the dimensions I want myself

 

[Ehrlemark]

Maybe also silly questions:

1. Why do you want planed wood?
2. Why does spruce suit your gate best?
3. Will the gate be indoors?

But if you don't ask you won't know😄
And without knowing you can't answer well...🤔

1. Planed wood because most gates seem to be built with that material
2. Spruce just because, among other reasons, Svenskt Trä recommends it in their construction guides...
3. The gate will be outside and painted white...

P.S. But now I'm leaning towards choosing heart pine instead, seems to be available at "ordinary" lumber yards as decking timber

 

[O]

If it is going to sit outside, it will be exposed to weather and moisture from all sides; it's a tough environment. In such a case, I would always choose pressure-treated wood. For the best durability. Preferably as knot-free as possible.

"heart pine" comes in different qualities, but it's hard to find really good quality. If you choose treated wood, it doesn't matter. In fact, it's an advantage to avoid heartwood since the treatment has a harder time penetrating it. "heart pine" simply has poorer resistance, a higher price, and is harder to find.

 

[O]

now I'm leaning towards choosing kärnfuru instead, seems to be available at "regular" lumberyards as decking timber

For decking timber, pressure-treated wood is available "everywhere" often at a good price...