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When founding Whidbey Millhouse, we specifically decided to specialize in Douglas Fir. This was not an arbitrary choice. It was driven by our commitment to quality and sustainability. In this blog, we want to take a moment to explain what we think makes Douglas Fir so unique and the role expert craftsmanship plays in transforming it into extraordinary home finishes.
Locally grown
First and foremost, Douglas Fir is grown exclusively in the Pacific Northwest! These trees are central to this area’s vibrant look and feel, and they have served as a favorite building material for generations of homes.
From a sustainability lens, using wood grown close to home means fewer resources expended in transportation. More importantly, using Douglas Fir means we’re able to work and build close relationships with local mills whose sustainable practices have a real impact on preserving the natural beauty and abundance of the region. If you want to learn more about our take on sustainable forestry, check out our other blog!
Naturally timeless
Douglas Fir is a strong, durable, and workable wood with an undeniable warmth. It’s also diverse, with multiple varieties that each have their own distinct aesthetic and benefits.
- Clear Vertical Grain: This clean and elegant vintage wood is often chosen both for modern homes and for repair or renovation of historic ones. It works perfectly for ceilings, sidings, or flooring that can be refinished for decades.
- Clear Wide Plank: These planks are primarily used for what is often called Scandinavian or Cape Cod-style flooring. Their unique appearance and bold look are highlighted by eased edges that visually accentuate the plank width.
- Rustic Tight-Knot: Made from high-altitude Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir, this wood is desired for its appealing patterns, tight knots, and mixed grain look. As flooring, ceilings, or siding, it can be painted or kept clear to accentuate a classic look, old-world charm, or modern style.
Interested in seeing how these materials look in real homes? Check out our project gallery.
Expertly crafted
Before a Douglas Fir tree can become an integral part of your home, it needs to be processed into specific wood materials. How it is processed can have a big impact on the final look and performance of your finishes.
As a millhouse, this starts by sourcing the highest quality raw materials and ensuring they are free from fillers or unnatural products. Once they are in our hands, we precisely cut, inspect, and kiln dry each piece to ensure their durability and historical accuracy.
Vertical Grain Douglas Fir, in particular, requires a higher standard of craftsmanship and precision. The trees need to be milled in a very specific way to access the vertical grain, and each tree has a limited amount of material available to make it. There is a reason most mills only sell this material in short lengths, usually 2’-4’, if at all. At Whidbey Millhouse, Vertical Grain Douglas Fir is our specialty, and we have mastered the techniques that allow us to offer this material in lengths of up to 20’ while still ensuring that every board that leaves our shop is free from both natural and machined flaws.
Final thoughts
So, there you have it. Douglas Fir is a fantastic and unique resource that we are so lucky to have in the Pacific Northwest. We at Whidbey Millhouse understand its value and are dedicated to providing the highest quality materials and unrivaled expertise to our customers.
Join the Whidbey Millhouse family
Elevate your next home build or renovation project with timeless home finishes in solid, natural wood. When you partner with Whidbey Millhouse, you are working with a father-son team dedicated to providing premium materials sourced and handcrafted with care. Let’s get started on your next project.
