Where can you start using mixed wood grain? Anywhere you’re interested in a more natural patina rather than a polished look, you’ll want to go with mixed wood grain.
If you’re building something that needs a rustic flair, mixed wood grain provides excellent flexibility at an unbeatable price point. It’s also one of the best structural building materials in the country and is praised for its strength-to-weight ratio.
When Creating a Rustic Look Full of Character
As stated above, mixed wood grain exposes many different facets of the wood’s grain patterns, patina, and coloration. Clean, vertical grain wood just doesn’t have the depth of character and beauty that mixed grain offers. For any project where knots, swirls, and deep colors are desired, such as a rustic mountain cabin, mixed grain is an absolute must.
Paneling, Trim, and Flooring
If you are planning to install trim, molding, shiplap, etc., you’ll be all set with mixed grain wood. Often the wood will eventually be painted over, thus hiding the contrasting grain and character. Springing for vertical grain wood in these applications is often a huge waste of resources. Save yourself some money and effort by utilizing mixed wood grain for these projects.
Dimensional Lumber
Mixed grain is also a popular choice for structural or dimensional lumber among builders. When compared to other Western softwoods, Douglas fir has a superior strength-to-weight ratio along with extremely high strength ratings, according to the Western Wood Products Association. It is the most widely used structural building material in the country.
All of that high-demand construction material, which will eventually be hidden behind sheetrock, is typically mixed grain Douglas fir. It’s strong, holds nails and screws securely, and doesn’t splinter or crack. When it comes to framing material that will not be exposed to the elements, mixed grain is the ideal choice—quality and economy combined.