How do Siberian Larch and British Larch differ?

If you are looking for Larch timber, you will usually come across two different types: Siberian Larch and British Larch. But which should you choose? At EcoChoice, we are asked this question fairly frequently and thought it best to answer it once and for all. To do that, we have compared the two timbers right here, giving you everything you need to know to make the right choice.

Two Different Trees From Two Different Continents

Of course, the main difference between Siberian Larch and British Larch is where the two are grown! Fortunately, the names make that pretty easy to differentiate. One is native to Siberia, and the other to Britain and Northern Europe.

Two Different Species

Although both are called Larch trees, they are actually entirely different species. The British Larch is also known as Larix Decidua, and the Siberian Larch can be referred to as Larix Sibirica. They are similar in name, but very different when you examine the tree itself.

Siberian Larch Trees vs British Larch Trees

The physical appearance of both trees is fairly similar, with narrow-reaching foliage growing in a triangular shape. Tall and either green or yellow, it can be hard to tell the two apart at face value. However, the timber is where the contrasts begin.

Timber from the Larch grown in Britain is a pale blush pink in colour with consistent dark knots in the wood. The Siberian Larch, on the other hand, is more of a pale straw colour not unlike Pine, and the knots are usually fewer, smaller and more grey than dark.

Durability and Stability

Compared to other tree species, such as Cedar, both Larch trees are fairly unstable. They can see quite a lot of shrinkage throughout the year and can be prone to mild splitting.

But when it comes to durability, the Siberian Larch comes out on top. Due to the harsh winter conditions in which the timber is grown, with temperatures dropping to an average of -16° in January, it tends to be more resistant and hardy. This makes it a better choice for external uses such as decking or cladding than British Larch, especially if you live in a cold and frosty environment.

Price Differences of Siberian and British Larch

Both Larch trees are very accessible and tend to be fairly similar in price. However, UK grown Larch can often beat Siberian Larch, coming in at a slightly cheaper price. It is important to ensure you check the certification when purchasing your Larch, though, especially if the price seems to be very cheap. It is vital you source either Larch from a sustainably managed forest, something with which our team at EcoChoice can help. We support FSC certified forests and sawmills so that your project is not only beautiful, but it also helps to protect endangered habitats.

Find Sustainable Timber With EcoChoice

We source all our timber from independently certified forests where sustainable practices are followed, from promoting biodiversity and protecting local communities to securing the safety of our planet’s forests for years to come. When you choose sustainable Larch from Ecochoice, you are helping the whole world. To find out more, get in touch with our team today and we will be happy to help answer any questions!

How Siberian and British larch varies

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Frequently asked questions

Do you supply timber for domestic uses?

Yes, we supply timber for domestic applications as well as commercial and public constructions. From garden decking to shed cladding, we will be happy to supply smaller deliveries for home use.

Is your timber FSC-certified?

Yes, all timber we supply is FSC or PEFC certified and sourced from independently verified responsibly managed forests. If we can’t find your request in FSC/PEFC certified timber we’ll suggest an alternative that is certified or clearly note that the offer is minimum EUTR.

Where does EcoChoice deliver to?

EcoChoice delivers to construction sites, warehouses and homes across the UK, as long as there’s access and unloading for our trucks.

What are the best timber species for exterior use?

There are many different timber species suitable for exterior use and which is the best for your project depends on your requirements. In general, though, we recommend EkkiGreenheartOpepe and Oak for heavier civil/marine uses. For intermediary external use such as decking, where the timber needs to be both strong and durable but not on the same level as civil engineering (bridgespiling, etc) we usually supply CumaruIpe, Jatoba, and Balau. And for the lighter exterior use where the timber is non-structural such as cladding, we deliver CedarLarchThermowood and others.

Which timber is the most durable?

Durability Class 1 timbers are the most durable. This of course depends on the use (hazard) class they’ll be in service for. For direct ground and water contact such as sleepers, fenders, marine piling, etc, Ekki and Greenheart are known to be the most durable timbers available. For decking and cladding where there’s no direct ground contact (use class 3) there’s a much wider range of timbers such Larch, Cedar, Thermo modified Pine or Ash and others.

What’s the best timber for internal cladding?

Internal cladding, where your timber is not in ground and not exposed to the elements can be classed as either use-class 1 or 2 – in which case most timbers will meet this durability criteria. That is not to say they’ll be the best, since internal environments have lower humidity (moisture) levels than outside. So in these cases, it’s best to go for a kiln-dried timber cladding board as these are more stable and delivered already in lower MC (moisture content) than the usual fresh sawn timbers sent to external applications. A word of caution – as timber reacts to variations in moisture, it’s best to avoid cladding any areas inside your bathroom.

How can I make decking less slippery?

The first thing is to ensure your deck boards are kept clean from leaves and other debris which will, over time, cover the surface and make it more slippery. Grooved boards can be used to improve grip if installed and used perpendicular to traffic, so especially useful in narrow passages and footbridges. Lastly, you can add our Grip-Choice strips: these are a mix of epoxy with aggregates that add gripping ridges to your deck area. Gripchoice is an easy way to make decking less slippery and safer, especially over large areas or where there’s high traffic. We can pre-install Grip-Choice strips for your decking before delivery or ship the strips separately to add to your existing deck’s grooves as a retro-fit solution.

What wood machining services do you offer?

We can offer planing, sawing, drilling and profiling of rough-sawn wood to any profile you require: from handrails to large port fenders.

Can you supply pre-drilled timber?

Yes, we will be happy to provide pre-drilled timber which is tailored to your needs for quick installation, thus saving you valuable time on site.

What cladding profiles do you supply?

We provide a wide range of cladding profiles, including tongue and groove, featheredge and shiplap. You can check the standard profiles here – but we can also match or custom make profiles to suit your specific needs.

Does timber change colour?

Yes, timber is well-known for changing colour over time. Some species can darken quickly right after installation, and like most untreated wood will eventually weather to a beautiful silver-grey. Interior timber is less likely to change colour (depending on conditions), and timber can be stained, painted or treated with UV-resistant oils to reduce colour change.

Do I need to treat exterior timber?

Some timbers such as Oak and Ekki, can withstand the strains of exterior use without any treatment. However, to extend the lifespan and maintain the aesthetic of your wood, we do recommend treating your timber with stains and oils. Pre-treated timber, such as ThermoWood and OrganoWood, are low-maintenance options which are more durable, but can have their life service extended by applying a clean and stain maintenance schedule.

Do I need to treat interior timber?

Depends on what area the timber is being used. For floor joists and timber rafters, it is common to see timber treated, or least very well kiln-dried. Other uses such as flooring may benefit from varnishing while internal timber cladding for decorative purposes shouldn’t require any treatment other than if you want to change its colour with different types of stains or oils.

Where are you based?

We’re based in Cambridge, UK, and coordinate multiple sawmills all over the world to manufacture your order. We then organise delivery with a range of hauliers so that your orders gets to your site on time.

What are the usual decking sizes?

Timber decking is usually 21x140mm or similar. For heavier applications where there’s more load and traffic, we deliver 35 or 45mm thick boards (such as Hastings Pier). Narrower boards are also possible: 95-90mm is a standard width – but we can manufacture whatever size you require.

What are the usual cladding sizes?

Typical cladding section sizes are 18×95 and 18x145mm although we can always custom make a section to suit your project’s design requirements. That includes waney edge boards in Oak or Chestnut as well as extra wide 195mm boards.

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Having needed the supply of cladding, decking boards and other specified timbers through out the year Eco choice have been very helpful in sourcing the specified timbers and quantities required at a very competitive price.

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