Pros and Cons of Douglas Fir Flooring

Douglas fir is one of those subtle-but-amazing types of wood flooring that you don’t hear about too often. 

Thankfully, these days, people are starting to realize just how lovely Douglas fir flooring can be, and we tend to agree.

Douglas fir trees are among the most highly-valued timber sources on the planet. They’re beloved for their iconic shape, towering size, and never-ending usefulness for everything from telephone poles to Christmas trees. 

But what exactly makes Douglas fir stand out in the flooring space, and what are the pros and cons of Douglas fir flooring? Worry not, cause we have all the answers for you!

Pros and Cons of Douglas Fir Flooring

Pros

Longevity 

Douglas fir has one of the highest strength to weight ratios of any wood species in the world. This doesn’t just make it a lightweight and strong floor; it also makes it resistant to decay. 

Many old barns and granaries in the Western Rocky Mountains were built with Douglas fir, and they’re still standing strong over 200 years later. 

If you’re looking for a floor that’s going to last generation after generation, Douglas fir is a great pick. 

Douglas Tree Flooring is Beautiful

If you want a truly stunning floor, you can’t do much better than Douglas fir. With its gorgeous waves, golden tones, and tight grain patterns, it’s at the top of the class when it comes to personality and looks. 

High-quality Douglas fir is sometimes known as Clear Vertical Grain or CVG because its grain is so uniform.

The tight grain patterns of CVG Douglas fir are achieved through a precise milling process that cuts the wood at a specific angle to produce straight, parallel lines. 

The resulting grain pattern is awe-inspiring, giving the wood a refined and elegant look that enhances any room’s aesthetic. 

This uniformity is not only visually appealing but also contributes to the wood’s structural integrity, making it a reliable and stable flooring option​.

Longer Board Lengths

Douglas fir trees grow to be very tall. Most varieties have the potential to grow up to 70 feet tall with a 12-20 foot spread. The tallest type, the Coast Douglas fir, dominates the West Coast at a height up to 300 ft. 

For this reason, Douglas fir flooring often comes in surprisingly long board lengths. When installed, these planks give your floors a softer, smoother, and more uniform appearance.

Easy to Maintain and Refinish

Because Douglas fir is a softwood, it’s very easy to maintain and refinish, which makes it a great choice for areas that are prone to discoloration. Its relatively softer nature allows for simpler and more frequent refinishing processes compared to harder woods. 

When discoloration or surface damage occurs, Douglas fir can be sanded down without the need for heavy-duty equipment, making the maintenance process more accessible for homeowners.

One of the significant advantages of Douglas fir is its ability to handle water efficiently. Although it is not inherently waterproof, Douglas fir has a high modulus of elasticity, meaning it can flex and return to its original shape after exposure to moisture. 

This characteristic reduces the likelihood of permanent warping, a common issue with many other wood types when they get wet. 

It’s Not Too Expensive

When it comes to price, new Douglas fir flooring is often in the lower-to-mid-range compared to some other wood species. The price, however, can vary based on several factors, including the supplier, the length and width of the boards, and the specific cut or grade of the wood.

As a rule of thumb, wood flooring costs generally range from around $3 all the way to $18 per square foot for solid planks. 

Oak, one of the most commonly used hardwoods for flooring, typically ranges from $4 to $10 per square foot, and maple, another popular choice, often costs between $5 and $15 per square foot, depending on the grade and finish. 

Douglas fir usually comes in between $3.50 and $8 per square foot, making it more affordable than aforementioned options.

Cons

Susceptibility to Scratches and Dents 

Being a softwood, Douglas Fir is more susceptible to scratches, dents, and dings compared to harder woods. 

The Janka hardness scale, which measures the resistance of wood to denting and wear, rates Douglas fir at around 660. 

This score indicates that Douglas fir is significantly softer than hardwoods like oak, which has a Janka rating of about 1,290, and maple, which scores around 1,450.

This characteristic can be particularly problematic in high-traffic areas or in homes with pets and children, where the floor is likely to encounter heavy or sharp objects. 

Everyday activities like moving furniture, dropping items, or even high heels can leave noticeable marks on the surface of Douglas fir flooring

Vulnerability to Insects 

Douglas fir can be susceptible to insect attacks, particularly if not properly treated or maintained. This vulnerability is primarily due to the wood’s composition and structure, which can attract wood-boring insects such as termites and beetles. 

These insects can cause significant damage over time, compromising the structural integrity and aesthetic appearance of the flooring.

The presence of these insects can lead to internal damage that might not be immediately visible, such as hollowed-out sections and weakened planks. In severe cases, this damage can result in sagging floors, loose boards, and even structural failures if left untreated​.

Can You Buy Engineered Douglas Fir Flooring?

Absolutely! Engineered Douglas fir is indeed available, and in many cases, it’s a smart purchase. 

Solid wood almost always has to be nailed, glued, or stapled to a subfloor. Engineered wood, on the other hand, can often be purchased as a click-together floating floor—meaning the planks lock together like a puzzle and don’t need to be attached to a subfloor. 

This makes floating floors some of the easiest flooring to install. It also means that the average cost to install is lesser than with solid wood.