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Timber Products

When timber products are needed for your project you can be confidant that Bear Creek Lumber has the ability to solve your problems.  We can provide timber solutions in softwoods and hardwoods.  Our most common softwood species that we supply timbers in are Western Red Cedar, Alaskan Yellow Cedar, Douglas Fir / Larch, Pine / Spruce, Hemlock , and California Redwood.  Though less common, we have supplied Ipe and other hardwood timbers when a highly unique material is required.

Timbers are commonly supplied in both nominal and net thicknesses or widths of 4", 6", 10" & 12".  Larger dimensions are available by special order, but lead times tend to be longer after getting outside of the 12" size. Understanding timber sizes is important to the ordering of your timbers as they can come surfaced four sides (S4S) resawn or rough cut.  Typically, S4S and resawn materials will be 1/2" under the nominal thickness, while rough cut material will generally be full dimension.  S4S and resawn widths will be 1/2" under for 4" and 6" materials, while 8" and above will be 3/4" under nominal sizing.  If you need a specific net size, it is important that you inform your sales representative so that they provide you the proper pricing based on your individual needs. 

Another important aspect of ordering timber products is to be aware of your options for including the pith of the tree in your timbers.  The pith/heart center of the tree can have a large effect on the timber in that it can lead to more twist, seasoning check or warping.  If you have a project where you want to minimize the level of these natural effects, then buying timbers that are Free of Heart Center (FOHC) may be your best option.  Please note that if you do not specify FOHC materials, that the materials provided will most likely come as Boxed Heart.

Timbers can be supplied both green and dry.  Be aware, that kiln drying timbers is generally not going to dry the timber all the way through the piece of lumber.  West Coast kiln standards are to dry the log to 19% moisture content or less only 1" into the timber.  If you require for the timber to be core dry, then purchasing a radio frequency kiln dried product would be a better choice, but the process is very expensive.

Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar gallery. Except in the case of such items as factory lumber, material supplied in accordance with these rules is not intended to be suitable for remanufacturing to smaller sizes

Port Orford Cedar

POC timbers gallery. Characteristics permitted and limitations for rough lumber are the same as those for dressed lumber of like kind and grade. In addition, such characteristics which are likely to disappear in dressing rough lumber to standard sizes are allowed.

Alaskan Yellow Cedar

Visit our Yellow Cedar picture gallery. The grade of lumber as determined by the inspector applies to the size, form, condition, or degree of seasoning at the time of original inspection; any subsequent change in the lumber must be disregarded in determining the original grade.

Douglas Fir

Douglas Fir picture gallery. The board measurement of dry lumber, rough or dressed, is based on the corresponding nominal dimensions of rough unseasoned lumber.

California Redwood

Redwood suitable for exposed but not structural application. this specie is prized for coloration as well as longevity.

Recycled Douglas Fir

Recycled and reclaimed Fir. Former structures constructed from the first trees of this continent are quite a treasure to behold. Makes a cool floor as well as seasoned columns. Expect some shake and fall down if recovering a smaller size from large timbers.