Siberian Larch is a sustainable old-growth timber that has been used in construction for centuries. Its popularity lies in the fact that it is aesthetically beautiful, naturally durable and long lasting. Architects specify Siberian Larch for a variety residential and commercial applications including schools, museums, stadiums and bridges.
Why use Siberian Larch as a Cladding Material?
Siberian Larch cladding is used extensively throughout Europe and has proved itself in the harshest of climates. Siberian Larch cladding from Silva Timber Products Ltd is uniformly kiln-dried to ensure optimum stability. Being 100% heartwood ensures that our product offers maximum durability, consistent quality and a uniform colour.
The main benefits of Siberian Larch are its impressive dimensional stability, low cost of installation, low maintenance, high manufacturing standards, and the fact that it is an aesthetically beautiful timber. However, the most amazing feature of Siberian Larch is its natural resistance to decay. The following properties are responsible for its durability:
High Density
Siberian Larch is an extremely dense wood species which makes it more difficult for decaying organisms to penetrate the wood.
Harsh Growing Climate
The climate in which Siberian Larch grows is defined as extreme continental, meaning short hot summers and long cold winters. The area in Siberia in which our larch is grown has an average temperature in January of - 15° C and an average temperature in July of 18° C. This results in short growing seasons and therefore a larger percentage of latewood and a very tight grain. Latewood is denser and mechanically stronger than the earlywood. This higher proportion of latewood equates into a more naturally durable wood.
Large Content of Heartwood
In a scientific study on the properties of Siberian Larch, it was concluded that larch trees are composed of 75-90% heartwood in their natural existence. Heartwood is denser, less permeable, and more durable than the surrounding sapwood. It is not typical for other species to posses this large of a percentage of heartwood. Even more impressive, the product we receive from our supplier is 100% heartwood.
Hard Wood
The hardness of wood, which is highly correlated with density, is generally defined as resistance to indentation. Fewer dents and abrasions mean fewer places for water and fungi to penetrate the wood. Siberian Larch has a hardness of 1,100 lbs/in2 as measured by the Janka Scale.
High Resin and Extractive Content
The chemical composition of wood can significantly affect its natural durability. This holds especially true for Siberian Larch. The resins and extractives in larch are credited the most for creating this high resistance to decay and rot. The primary extractive in Siberian Larch is arabinoglactan which is toxic to fungi. Arabinoglactan content in larch wood comes in at a high 10-15%.
Why Buy Your Siberian Larch Cladding From Silva Timber Products Ltd?
- FSC Certified
- 100% heartwood
- Long lengths - available from stock in 4.0m lengths
- Boards shrink wrapped in packs of 6 for protection
- Uniformly kiln-dried
- Produced to highest manufacturing standards
Interesting Facts about Siberian Larch
- Its remarkable qualities and unique performance characteristics have led to it being referred to as 'The Tree of Eternity'.
- In Russia there are examples of homes and churches built from Larch that are estimated to have been in existence for over 800 years.
- Perhaps the most famous example of its longevity is its use in the construction of the ancient city of Venice.