This article will discuss the comparison of two types of wood, as building material, this is pine and spruce. We will find in everyone strengths and weak sides. Let's try to figure out which breed has the strongest energy. Let's talk about everything in order.
Color change. Pine is more susceptible to this procedure than spruce. Most often, the tree turns blue or black in extreme conditions, these include high humidity, prolonged heat, lack of timely treatment of wood with an antiseptic. Although spruce can also turn black or sometimes even turn green. It is important to know that pine will return to its previous appearance only after treatment with bleach, and spruce after regular sanding, which is less expensive and simpler. I would also like to say that the color of spruce wood is lighter and more pleasant in contrast to pine.
Cellular structure and pores. Moisture resistance depends on this indicator. Spruce, unlike pine, absorbs moisture evenly throughout the entire thickness of the log, while pine at the edges absorbs freely, but the core does not absorb moisture well, which affects the process and time of decay. This indicator allows you to understand which material is more resistant to moisture:
- For example, when it rains, spruce gets wet only superficially, but pine gets wet quite deeply, which subsequently affects the change in color of the wood.
- Because of summer heat and alternating downpours, the structure of pine wood is destroyed, which leads to cracks in the logs of the structure.
Wood color. Spruce building material has a uniform light shade, while pine has a yellow core (due to the accumulation of resin) and a light layer of wood under the bark.
Material weight. Pine is much heavier than spruce, which makes spruce the best building material for load-bearing walls.
Resin. All coniferous woods contain resin, but it does not release from spruce over time, which cannot be said about pine. Also, in pine, the resin becomes a little darker over time or even takes on a dark brown appearance, which affects the appearance of the structure.
Cracks. Due to its dense structure, spruce does not crack when dried and can withstand heavy deflection loads. Therefore, it is readily used as a rafter system, queens, and so on.
Energy. This criterion is purely subjective. Therefore, it is different for everyone. But we have cited many objective factors that show how much better spruce is than pine.
At the end I would like to summarize. If you want a house that will last for centuries, will reflect the sun’s light to the envy of everyone and attract attention, then order a spruce log house from the Pskovleskhoz company, we will make it quickly, efficiently, and most importantly at an attractive price.
Coniferous species, due to their low density, which provides good thermal insulation qualities, are optimal for building houses year-round residence. But which is better: spruce or pine timber? Pine with a hard, well-tarred core and a loose upper part, a straight trunk and high resistance to decay is most in demand in the manufacture of timber. This type of wood is mainly used for construction residential buildings in Russia, Finland and other northern countries. But spruce is as close as possible to pine technical specifications, while having a soft core and a hard upper layer. It is slightly more susceptible to rotting, but does not turn blue when exposed to moisture, unlike pine.
Advantages and disadvantages of spruce timber
The main characteristics of spruce are as follows:
- difficult processing due to increased knots, leading to higher prices for lumber;
- insignificant concentration of resins in the composition of wood, which causes low natural resistance to moisture, fungi, and insects;
- white shade, which does not change over time, and a homogeneous fiber structure, which make the material optimal for finishing work.
Spruce is optimally suited for the production of curved elements; it is used in the construction of gazebos and bathhouses. Mass of spruce in progress chamber drying is significantly reduced, therefore, with the same standard sizes, spruce lumber is lighter than pine, which allows saving on the construction of the foundation. Spruce is highly susceptible to deformation during the drying process, so it will be moved without resistance using clamps. The knotty nature of spruce is a significant drawback, which leads to a ban on its use in load-bearing structures(knots falling out during drying negatively affect strength). However, industrial spruce, harvested in the northern regions of the country (Arkhangelsk, Vologda), is practically free of such disadvantages: it has long and even trunks, and the lower part contains a small number of tightly fitting knots. When choosing spruce timber, carefully read the manufacturer’s documentation, find out about the place and period of timber harvesting ( quality materials prepared in winter).
Advantages and disadvantages of pine timber
The advantages of pine are associated with its high strength and resistance to moisture and fungal infections, which is due to the high concentration of resins in the composition. It is easy to process, pliable (due to this ready materials are inexpensive) and suitable for making products complex shapes. The advantages of wood are:
- the possibility of manufacturing timber with different sections (the thicker the lumber, the warmer the building built from it);
- chamber-dried pine practically does not shrink, is not subject to deformation, and is most resistant to torsional forces;
- the high strength of the material at an average density, as well as the low weight of the timber, make it possible to save money during construction by arranging lightweight foundations;
- the pronounced structure and rich shade of wood determine the construction of houses from timber with minimal decorative finishing(it is enough to treat the materials with tinted varnish to emphasize the natural beauty of the texture).
Pine timber is excellent for the construction of residential buildings, installation rafter systems, used as roof support beams. But over time, pine wood darkens and acquires a reddish tint, which is not observed in spruce. At the same time, pine is drier, harder and less susceptible to rotting.
To answer this question objectively, one should consider representatives of coniferous species in more detail and regarding their “usefulness” for construction and comfort in general. The table below is not intended to compare both trees, but clearly demonstrates the real qualities of the varieties of lumber for construction. After studying this information, you can draw a conclusion about the advisability of purchasing one or another type.
Table of real qualities of spruce and pine
If the information is not enough, you can always turn to competent sources for clarification. Given below detailed description each item in the table. So:
| Useful properties of the rock for private construction | Spruce | Pine |
|---|---|---|
| Color | White | From bright yellow to brick |
| Shade stability | High | Changes to a more intense shade |
| Fiber structure | Uniform | Pronounced |
| Natural humidity | 12% | 12% |
| Resin content | Low | High |
| Knotiness | A large number of small | A small amount of large |
| Natural protection against rotting | Average | High and even exceptional, depending on the variety |
| Sineva | Doesn't turn blue | This effect wears off over time |
| Mechanical restoration | Difficult due to a large number of knots | Any |
| Scope of use | Baths, gazebos, furniture | Residential buildings, log houses, frame |
| Price | From 2500 rub/m³ | Up to 4000 rub/m³ |
General qualities include the longevity of the material and finished log house. Some of them can stand for at least 300 years. It is worth paying attention to the diameters of the trunks; the larger, the warmer - spruce cannot boast of this, but pine, on the contrary.
So, what kind of wood is best to build a house from? Spruce, pine or pay attention to other species? The answers from the table are given below.
Fiber color and structure
This is what attracts customers visually and leaves a mark in their memory. From this point of view, a house made of pine is more attractive than a log house made of spruce, which has a single shade that does not change over time. The variety of colors from sunny to ocher is appreciated by true aesthetes.
However, buyers are put off by the blue. They consider this an indicator of rot. People! This is wrong! This only indicates the freshness of the cut and over time the pine will become beautiful, and even change shades.
And a house made of spruce, like all wood, will become dark from humidity and nothing more. Annual rings delight the eye with their unusual pattern - this fact applies to pine. Spruce cannot boast of this - its structure is uniform and invisible due to its color.
Humidity
It is almost the same in both breeds. But it is worth remembering that the time of cutting makes a difference - if it is done in winter, then there will be no complaints. Summer harvesting is fraught with distortions and large shrinkage in the future.
This applies to a greater extent to pine. Spruce, without proper resistance through clamps, leads and bends during drying; it is susceptible to this to a greater extent than pine.
Resinousness and knotiness
In addition to sloppiness, this effect has another unpleasant and, frankly speaking, destructive feature - it will not allow our lungs to breathe, clogging the pores with sticky vapors. You only need to inhale the decoction of pine needles, not the resin. Therefore, choosing a spruce log for a house will be futile, but for a bathhouse it will be just right.
But sometimes abundant knottiness is a design find. This technique can be used by using various cladding on facades or as decoration for the inside of a bathhouse. By arranging such patterns relatively symmetrically, the owner will receive an exclusive object, causing the envy of the neighbors.
Rot protection
Coniferous trees, unlike deciduous trees, excluding oak, always contain a high concentration of their own protective solutions. They prevent the spread of pathogenic bacteria, mold, rot and provide a good barrier to rodents. However, this property is more pronounced in pine than in spruce.
This is due to the fact that the continuous channels along which the “immunity” moves are longer than those of spruce, where knottiness still interrupts their flow. The Christmas tree house will have to be processed protective compounds earlier than from pine.
The owner of the material should remember that upon delivery of raw materials to the construction site, it must be processed before warehousing and storage begins - construction does not take place in one day. After processing, the logs or beams are placed on supports, without contact with each other, and covered with styrene film from precipitation. From time to time it is removed and the material is ventilated.
Mechanical and manual processing ability
It is high in both breeds, since the structures are soft. But nevertheless, neat cuts and saw cuts are best tolerated by pine, but chipping and sanding are best tolerated by fir trees. It all depends on the desired end result and the intended product.
Both breeds produce exceptionally beautiful, twisted furniture, valued in the West. Manual cutting is not difficult in any way, if only the master has the skill of handling a saw and an ax. This, by the way, can play a cruel joke on an inexperienced builder - he is quite capable of snatching a large piece of wood, so proceed with caution.
Scope of use
It is extensive - you can build a house from pine or fir trees, make furniture, arrange gazebos, bathhouses, wells. However, for residential buildings, pine is the priority; for all others, you can use Christmas tree. This advice is for those who are trying to reduce the cost of building an entire complex on a site.
Lumber from the described species
Budget construction using wood is quite possible without using solid wood. We are talking about timber or frame construction. Agree, using a frame is much more profitable than using a whip.
Used for sewing Wall panels or the same lumber from the selected species, costing several times less than solid raw materials. In this case frame house made from fir or pine has the same advantages when it comes to appearance.
But from a constructive point of view, the presence of inclusions in the wood is of great importance. Spruce should absolutely not be used for load-bearing supports, keeping in mind that when dry, knots tend to fall out, thereby reducing strength. Therefore, it is worth purchasing it for cladding, or using spruce timber for a house on the horizontal planes of a frame object.
Not always practical advice influence consumer choice. But he should take into account that the construction of a residential building is not only external beauty, but also a great responsibility. Before starting construction and choosing raw materials, you need to ask yourself the question: will the family be able to afford the maintenance of a wooden object, which is sometimes very expensive.
The construction of houses from logs and timber has always been popular: wood is environmentally friendly and safe material, construction occurs quickly, the walls and facade do not require thorough finishing and insulation. The most difficult thing is choosing the type of wood for the production of a log house. What is better - pine or spruce for the home? Let us determine the main characteristics of trees to select the appropriate material.
Spruce or pine
Coniferous trees have been used for construction since ancient times. They differ from deciduous trees by being tall performance characteristics. The most common are spruce or pine for the home. How do they differ from each other:
| Index | Pine | Spruce |
|---|---|---|
| Color and its characteristics | From brick to bright yellow with natural color intensification over time | White, color does not change over time |
| Turning blue* | Possible temporary color change, disappears during processing | Less susceptible to blue discoloration, temporary blackening or greening possible |
| Uniformity of structure | Stable, pronounced | Uniform along the entire length of the trunk |
| Resin content | Increased | Low |
| Number of knots | Large rare | Various frequent |
| Ease of handling | Easy to process material with soft structure | Difficult process due to excessive knots and hardness of wood |
| 12%, does not experience significant shrinkage | 12%, but after drying it may change in volume |
* Blue discoloration occurs due to exposure to wood fungi. The resin content of pine prevents this phenomenon, and the infection quickly passes. To speed up cleaning, wood is treated with special impregnations. Spruce is less resistant to fungi, which is why it sometimes turns from black to green.
As can be seen from the comparison, pine and spruce are independent materials that differ from each other. The choice of one species or another depends on individual preferences, but most developers choose pine lumber because of its financial affordability and ease of use.
House made of pine timber, pros and cons
Logs are made from wood, solid and laminated veneer lumber. The latter is the most common material due to its high performance characteristics:
- Strength up to 200 kg/cm2;
- Weight (density) up to 520 kg/m3;
- Easy to process in production and construction site;
- Due to the high resin content, the materials resist excess moisture and mold;
- Sound insulation of the walls does not allow sounds from the street to pass through.
A house made of pine is durable; a comfortable microclimate is naturally maintained inside the premises.
The disadvantages of the breed include:
- Susceptibility to rot and fungi. With proper wood processing, this drawback is eliminated;
- Formation of transverse cracks when the beams dry out;
- High cost of high-quality timber or log house.
Varieties
Arkhangelsk pine is distinguished by a dense whip, which does not require refreshing treatment for a long time.
The type of Angarsk coniferous species is durable, never turns blue, and throughout the entire period of operation the log house releases natural phytoncides that disinfect the air. Such material will not be cheap.
Karelian pine is suitable for making short-length log houses. The tree has a dense structure.
Spruce or pine?
In this article we would like to talk about the most popular types of wood growing in our region, consider their pros and cons in construction wooden houses.
We will talk about conifers such as pine and spruce.
Having decided to build wooden house, in addition to choosing a contractor company, many people face the difficulty of choosing a building material and the type of wood from which their building will be built. future home. The most popular materials now are round wood, carriage, laminated veneer lumber or rounded log. Despite the fact that all these materials can be classified as wooden, they differ very much from each other, both in cost and quality. If you have chosen laminated veneer lumber or rounded logs, then the manufacturer will build you a house from “pine needles” and a choice of wood species, in most cases you will not have and it does not matter whether your house was ordered in
Whether it’s a large and expensive company or a small start-up company, it’s just the way things are on the market. Basically, laminated veneer lumber and rounded logs are made from pine and spruce; manufacturers quietly mix these two types of wood, which have different quality and physical characteristics.
When choosing to build a house self made You always have the opportunity to choose one or another type of wood and be sure that your house will consist 100% exclusively of the type of wood you have chosen.
The most common material in our area is pine. Pine really leads over all types of wood in the construction of wooden houses, but spruce, which has a number of significant advantages over others, is undeservedly deprived of attention. coniferous species trees.
Pine is a soundwood species, its core is usually brown-red in color, and the sapwood is yellow. Pine wood is soft (density 470-540 kg/m3) and durable, easy to process. Large tobacco and rotten knots are quite common.
Spruce wood is light, soft, white, very elastic, withstands high loads, has a high tensile strength, but is not significantly inferior to pine in density (density 440-500 kg/m3). The structure of spruce is looser than that of pine, so spruce is more susceptible to external weather influences, but is much warmer than pine. Modern protective equipment successfully solve the problem of protecting wood, so there is no need to be afraid of this. Moreover, after drying, the wood becomes identical in resistance to weathering. Due to the large number of hard knots, spruce is more difficult to process. Chemical compositions Spruce and pine also differ little from each other. For example, pine contains 41.9% cellulose, and spruce - 44.1%. Pine contains 25.5% lignin, and spruce contains 28.9%. As you can see, the differences are insignificant.
The wood of spruce is white, has more small branches, which, with a transparent finish, well emphasize the “tree”; the trunks are mostly smooth and long, which significantly improves appearance wooden house. Spruce does not tend to change its color under the influence of external factors over a long period of time, like pine. It should be noted that pine acquires a dirty yellow tint over time, and under the influence of precipitation it quickly turns gray. So, if you want to see white walls, you need to use spruce; a wooden house made of spruce looks more elegant and even, one might say, aristocratic.
The next advantage of spruce, which follows from the above, is a fungus that appears on the pine tree after felling the forest; the pine wood turns blue, while the spruce remains white. Blue stains and discoloration in pine are removed with appropriate antiseptics, but in spruce this treatment can be minimized, which will undoubtedly enhance the natural character of your home and have a positive impact on environmental friendliness.
Also, the advantage of spruce over pine is that it contains significantly less resin, which means that wooden house made of spruce, there will be no tar stains on the south side.
In addition, spruce wood is more uniform than pine and is less susceptible to cracking when drying and shrinking. This is especially true when building houses from gun carriages. Due to the fact that the outer, hardest layer of wood is removed in the carriage and the softer wood is exposed to the atmosphere, which means the degree of cracking increases. When building a house from spruce, cracking is minimized.
Another advantage of spruce in our latitudes is the possibility of building houses with a diameter significantly larger than that of pine; spruce from 40 cm and above is much larger than pine.
Unlike pine, which gives off moisture, spruce takes it and releases it to the street. That's why houses and bathhouses are made from spruce sushi.
But perhaps the most important advantage of spruce over others coniferous trees the fact that it is the warmest, due to its looser structure, which means that even the most severe cold is not terrible for such a house.
Well, remember, the Russian proverb says: “A spruce hut is a healthy heart,” and even proverbs in empty space definitely not written.
