Free of Heart Centre vs Boxed Heart Douglas Fir
What is Boxed Heart?
Boxed heart timbers are cut so the centre of the tree stays inside the beam. That centre point is called the pith, and it’s the part of the tree that naturally wants to move the most as the wood dries.
That’s where the tradeoff comes in.
Because the pith is included, boxed heart beams are:
- More affordable upfront
- More efficient to produce from each log
- More likely to develop cracks (called checking) from the centre outward
- More prone to slight twisting or movement over time
None of this means boxed heart is “bad.” It’s still widely used and structurally sound. But it behaves more naturally, which means you’ll see more character, more movement, and more visible change as the wood settles.
For some builds, especially where the wood is hidden or a rougher look is acceptable, boxed heart gets the job done at a lower cost.
What is Free of Heart Centre (FOHC)?
Free of Heart Centre timbers are cut so the centre of the tree (the pith) is completely removed. Instead of taking the whole log as one beam, the log is split and milled in a way that avoids that unstable core.
That one difference changes how the wood behaves.
FOHC beams are:
- More stable over time
- Less likely to twist or move as they dry
- Less prone to deep cracking (checking)
- More consistent in grain and appearance
Because the pith is removed, the wood dries more evenly. That means fewer surprises after installation, especially on exposed beams or finished builds where movement and cracks are more noticeable.
FOHC is typically chosen when both performance and appearance matter, especially in projects where the timber is a visible feature, not something hidden behind drywall.
Douglas Fir Timbers Available at Niagara Sawmill
For builders, architects, and timber framers across Southern Ontario, Niagara Sawmill supplies structural Douglas Fir timbers used in residential and commercial construction.
Free of Heart Centre Douglas Fir is commonly used in:
Timber frame homes
Post and beam construction
Exposed structural beams
Custom residential builds
Architectural timber features
Inventory and available sizes can vary depending on milling schedules and demand.
Builders planning a timber project are encouraged to contact Niagara Sawmill to check current stock and available Douglas Fir timber sizes.
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