Building houses of larch today is a foreground direction in the wood construction. Houses of larch have unique properties.
Larch wood never rots and turns blue Larch is very resistant to rotting. Its relative biological stability (susceptibility to degradation by fungi and insects) is twice higher than pine. By European standards EH 350-2; 1994 it refers to a group of very persistent species, while the pine wood to the group of moderately persistent species. Larch is a natural antiseptic material. Especially due to the resin impregnating it, larch is not attacked by insect borers as also allows to use it without any chemical treatment especially in cases, then other species rot.
Durability of houses made of larch
Larch occupies an intermediate position between soft conifers like pine and solid hardwoods like oak by physico-chemical properties of durability of wood. Being dried, larch and its products do not rot, so houses build of it, stand for centuries. Siberian larch is water- resistant, It also does not afraid from rodents and wood bugs.
Strength
All larch strength values are 30-60% higher in comparison with pine. Besides, due to a special resin composition, larch is only gaining strength eventually. Larch wood is comparable with oak wood by its strength. Larch hardness is 109 units; oak hardness is 110 units (by Brinnel scale).
Fire resistance
Larch wood fire resistance is approximately twice higher than pine wood.
Thermal conductivity
Siberian larch ensures good thermal conductivity. Larch volumetric thermal capacity is higher than pine wood. It means, that house of larch has a correspondingly greater amount of accumulated heat. It is manifested then in the heating period the temperature in heated indoor is more evenly distributed during the day (house cools more slowly), but in the hot summer time- there remains a feeling of coolness.
Beauty
Natural wood of larch in interior is unique in the richness of its natural structure and makes the special comfort of house. The larch has natural shine due to the high gummosity, warm colors as also rich gamma of colours from amber to pale burgundy, pronounced growth rings, which are clearly seen on all wood cross- sections and it is not necessary to strengthen larch wood structure with colorants.
Healing properties of larch are determined by biologically active substances and also anti-oxidants it contains. Anti-oxidants support the body in fight against aging and various diseases, especially, in stress conditions, polluted environment, and radiation. From larch wood produce unique medications, used in ischemic heart disease, asthma, diabetes as also stomach and liver diseases. Larch wood is used for reducing the risk of tumors and infectious diseases. In the house made of larch decreases the likelihood of migraine, neurosis, which is associated with vasospasm. Throughout its life the larch evaporates natural phytoncides, which, when released into the human respiratory tract, prevent colds and viral diseases. In hypertension there is observed positive results in reducing blood pressure. Larch growing conditions in the areas of confluence of the Angara and Yenisei rivers is such that larch wood is environmentally friendly and does not contain allergens. Needles of larch consists flavonoids, tannins, essential oil, ascorbic acid, carotene, anthocyanins, catechins and organic acids.
It is prestigious to live in a house made of Siberian larch, because only really wealthy and fulfilled person can build a house not only for himself but also for his grandchildren.
SIA "SAKARNIEKS" 2014