Durability classes of wood

This page provides an overview of the different durability classes of wood. It is intented to educate the consumer on what species of wood come from what area (and so the CO² impact of the transport thereof) aswell as indicate which tree species could possibly come from illegal logging from forests/rainforests. The table below does not list all tree species, rather it just lists the most commonly sold ones.

Classes (heartwood)

Class 1ipê, Padouk, Afzelia, teak, Itauba, teak, Cumaru, Jatobá, Moabi, Opepe, Greenheart, Makoré
Class 2European oak, white oak, European chestnut, red cedar, yellow cedar, Bankirai, Merbau, Bubinga, Bongossi, Mahogany
Class 3pitch pine, Larch, Douglas Fir
Class 4fir, spruce, elm, red oak, yellow Meranti
Class 5birch, beech, ash, large-leaved Linden, white Meranti[1]

Service life

The service life of the tree species depends on many factors:

  • is the wood fire treated and/or impregnated ?
  • is the wood fully exposed, partly exposed or shielded from the elements ? Depending on this:
    • class 1 wood lasts for 25 years fully exposed, over 50 years when partly exposed and and over 50 years when shielded from the elements
    • class 2 wood lasts for 15 to 25 years fully exposed, 30 years when partly exposed and and over 50 years when shielded from the elements
    • class 3 wood lasts for 8-15 years fully exposed, 15 years when partly exposed and and over 50 years when shielded from the elements
    • class 4 wood lasts for <5 years fully exposed, over 5 to 8 years when partly exposed and and over 50 years when shielded from the elements[2]

Origins of the wood species

  • Padoek, and afzelia come from the African continent[3]
  • Ipé, itauba, cumaru, jatoba come from the American continent (South America)[4]
  • Teak; merbau come from the Asian continent[5]

References

  1. ↑ Tree species in durability classes
  2. ↑ timbers_users_guide_01.pdf
  3. ↑ Where precisely ?
  4. ↑ Where precisely ?
  5. ↑ Where precisely ?

See also

  • Wood: see treatment methods of native tree species
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