From the Mill

Timber Industry Insights

Field-tested knowledge from our Arlington, WA operation. Articles on Douglas Fir, timber framing, pricing, and the trade.

All Posts Douglas Fir Industry Insights Pricing Guides Project Spotlights Timber Frame

Solid-Sawn Coastal Douglas Fir: Twist, Splits, and Checks

Twist and splits are grading problems, not species traits. How No.1 grade prevents twist and why seasoning checks don't reduce design capacity.

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Why Large Timbers Are Not Kiln-Dried

The physics of drying wood, why kilns damage oversized timbers, and what seasoning in place actually looks like for Douglas Fir 10×10 and larger.

8 min read

Douglas Fir timbers stacked at the Washington Timber Company mill yard in Arlington, WA

pricing guides·June 3, 2026

Douglas Fir Timber Pricing in 2026: What Mill-Direct Actually Costs

Real Douglas Fir timber pricing for 2026. $4.60 per board foot, dropping to $3.60 on orders of 4,000 BF and up, with size, length, FOH, and grade surcharges explained.

6 min read

Western Red Cedar siding boards at Washington Timber Company mill yard

douglas fir·June 3, 2026

Douglas Fir vs Western Red Cedar: Choosing the Right PNW Timber

Both are iconic Pacific Northwest species, but Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar perform very differently. A practical comparison to help you choose the right timber for your build.

5 min read

Aerial view of timber-framed equestrian arena with Cascade mountains backdrop

project spotlights·June 3, 2026

Building an Equestrian Arena: Timber Specs and What to Budget

Planning a covered equestrian arena? Here's what timber you'll need, common sizes for different arena footprints, budget ranges, and how to plan your build.

5 min read

Log truck delivering Douglas Fir logs to Washington Timber Company mill

pricing guides·June 3, 2026

How to Order Custom Heavy Timber: A Step-by-Step Guide

The complete process for ordering custom Douglas Fir timbers, from initial spec to delivery. What to send, what to expect, and how to avoid common mistakes that delay projects.

6 min read

Loading a massive Douglas Fir log at Washington Timber Company mill in Arlington, WA

project spotlights·June 3, 2026

Inside Our Arlington Mill: How We Cut Oversized Douglas Fir

Washington Timber Company has milled Douglas Fir from our Arlington, WA location since 1977. A look at how we operate, what we cut, and why oversized timber is our specialty.

6 min read

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