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Secrets from Siberia: Building with Larch

Wednesday 6th July, 2011

Secrets from Siberia: Building with Larch

There is an incredibly hardy tree which is native to the cold Siberian regions of Western Russia, known as the Siberian Larch. Builders in the UK have tapped into the durable qualities of this wood for many uses, such as shingles, shakes and larch cladding.

Grown in the Land of Ice and Snow

Siberian Larch originates from one of the coldest and most inhospitable regions of Europe, a place where temperatures once plunged down to a record -68 degrees Celsius. The larch tree has evolved over the years of harsh winters to withstand this type of extreme environment, which is why larch cladding has such great insulation properties.

Also as a result of the cold weather, larch trees grow very slowly, resulting in tight growth rings and a very dense wood. To withstand the winters, the wood has to be incredibly hard, making it one of the most durable softwoods available in the world today. Most builders use larch cladding in situations where the wood will need to withstand physical damage. Larch cladding is almost 100% impact resistant and will create a durable surface which will last for decades if properly maintained.

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