PROS: Douglas fir is fairly tough for a softwood. It has an interesting grain pattern especially in the riftsawn or vertical grain grades. It takes a pigmented stain quite easily and evenly, but clear finishing this amber-red toned wood brings out the true beauty of this flooring material.
CONS: Like most softwoods this wood will dent and gouge easily. It is somewhat chip prone on the edges, so be careful when installing new or restoring old douglas fir floors. They undergo radical color changes when they are exposed to sunlight. It is not best suited for high traffic areas. Because it is a softwood, be careful not to over-sand a douglas fir floor.
TREE FACTS: Douglas fir is named after David Douglas who was a Scottish botanist. In 1826, he introduced the first douglas firs into cultivation. There are five different species of douglas fir. Two of these species come from western North America, two of them come from eastern Asia, and one comes from Mexico. These trees are often used as Christmas trees. The majority of the douglas fir that is used for flooring comes from the United States and in southern and central British Columbia, Canada.