For centuries, Siberian Larch has been a preferred material for construction in many parts of the world. Due to proximity, Europeans have been able to take advantage of this material. Architects in Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, and Japan are specifying the use of larch in the construction of residential homes and commercial spaces.

Supplier of Siberian Larch: Stein Wood Products

Benefits are an impressive dimensional stability, low cost of installation, low maintenance, high manufacturing standards, and an aesthetically beautiful timber. However, the most amazing feature of Siberian Larch is its natural resistance to decay. Some homes and churches in Russia have been estimated to be 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. The following properties are responsible for its durability.


High Density – Siberian Larch has an average density of 41 lbs/ft3. Higher densities make it more difficult for decaying organisms to penetrate the wood. Other than Ipe, Siberian Larch is denser than all the other most commonly used decking materials.

Decking Materials	Density (lbs/ft3)
Siberian Larch	41
Southern Yellow Pine	35
Redwood	25
Western Red Cedar	23

Grows in a Harsh 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 5 degrees Fahrenheit and in July it is 64 degrees Fahrenheit. This results in short growing seasons and therefore a larger percentage of latewood and a very tight grain. Latewood is denser and mechanically better 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 Leitinger is 97% heartwood.