Larch is the densest and strongest softwood in Europe; its lifespan can exceed 500 years. It is valued for its qualities in the construction field, indoors as well as outdoors.
Would you like to know more about larch wood? WoodPartners explains everything you need to know about European larch, also called common larch:
- What is larch wood?
- What are the characteristics of larch?
- Larch wood: what is it used for?
- How do you maintain larch wood?
- Other questions about larch
What is larch wood?
Larch wood has the scientific name Larix decidua and comes from the Pinaceae family. It comes from the cold regions of northern Europe; it is often called Siberian larch or "wood of the North" because of its origins. It therefore grows at altitude, in the mountains of the Alps and of central Europe, and is the only conifer to lose its needles in autumn.
Able to withstand the most extreme temperatures, larch has developed resistance that stands up to anything, making it an ally in many construction projects. As well as European larch, there is also Japanese larch, which is less durable than its counterpart.
Finally, different names are used for larch depending on the country:
- Germany: Larche;
- France : Mélèze;
- United Kingdom : Larch
- Spain : Alerce;
- Italy : Larice.
What are the characteristics of larch?
Larch has characteristics that are very useful in various construction fields such as joinery, thanks to its various aesthetic and environmentally friendly qualities. This noble wood with its warm tones has strength and durability that are out of the ordinary for a softwood.
Description of larch wood
- Colour of larch : pinkish brown;
- Sapwood (the soft, light-coloured part of the wood that forms each year under the bark): clearly distinct;
- Grain : medium;
- Grain direction or fibre orientation : straight;
- Interlocked grain or direction contrary to the axis : absent.
Description of the larch log
- Diameter of the larch tree : between 40 and 70 cm;
- Thickness of the sapwood : between 1 and 3 cm;
- Preservation in the forest : good.
The physical properties of larch wood
- Density of larch (at 12% moisture content with 1 MPa = 1 N/mm²): 0.60;
- Hardness (at 12% moisture content with 1 MPa = 1 N/mm²): 3.8;
- Volumetric shrinkage coefficient : 0.48%;
- Total tangential shrinkage (TS): 8.2%;
- Total radial shrinkage (RS): 4.2%;
- Ratio between TS and RS : 2.0;
- Fibre saturation point : 26%;
- Stability in service : moderately stable.
The natural durability and treatability of larch
- Resistance to fungi: class 3-4, moderately to slightly durable;
- Resistance to dry wood insects : durable thanks to distinct sapwood;
- Resistance to termites : class S, susceptible;
- Treatability : class 4, not treatable;
- Use class: class 3, for outdoor use out of contact with the ground.
Drying larch wood
- Drying speed: normal;
- Risk of distortion : high;
- Risk of case-hardening (accidental hardening): none;
- Risk of checks (splits): low;
- Risk of collapse (waviness, separation of the wood): none.
As regards the drying of larch wood, it is advisable to carry it out above 70°C; this will avoid any problem linked to resin running out onto your finished product.
Sawing and machining larch wood
- Blunting effect: normal;
- Sawing teeth : ordinary steel or alloy;
- Machining tools : tungsten carbide;
- Suitability for peeling : not recommended;
- Suitability for slicing : good.
Assembling larch
The assembly of larch wood is carried out in two steps:
- Nailing and screwing: good holding, pre-drilling proves necessary;
- Gluing : satisfactory for larch woods dried above 70°C.
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Larch wood: what is it used for?
Larch wood is used in a variety of projects, outdoors as well as indoors. The durability, the strength and the density of this type of wood are a considerable asset for making roof structures, cladding or furniture:
- For building roof structures: because of its durability and its strength, larch is a wood suited to this type of construction and will provide perfect support for your structures.
- In interior joinery: it has an attractive colour and useful strength for building your staircases, your panelling or your floors, for example.
- For external cladding: weather-resistant and naturally rot-proof (resistant to moisture), larch wood is perfect for the cladding of your house.
- In furniture making: dense and durable, larch wood will allow you to design quality furniture that lasts over time and needs very little maintenance, for greater ease from day to day.
How do you maintain larch wood?
The maintenance of larch wood is limited and it needs no pressure treatment, just like black locust. However, if you want to keep its natural shade, you will have to apply a saturator or else remember to brighten the larch if it has already taken on a greyish shade over time.
What is more, depending on the use you make of it, you can also apply an anti-mould treatment to avoid the risk of mould.
Other questions about larch
What is the price of larch?
The price of larch can vary but it is around 40 euros per m². This is likely to fluctuate, however, according to the seller you choose and the use you want to make of it.
How does larch age?
Like many woods, larch will grey slightly over time. Nevertheless, you can prevent this by applying a saturator from the outset to protect it, or by using a wood brightener to bring back the natural colour of the larch wood.
Larch is the densest and strongest softwood in Europe, and its lifespan is unique for this type of wood. Now, you know all the tricks of larch wood thanks to Woodpartners, so you can use it properly in your next projects.