Deal

Also called: red deal, yellow deal, white deal, baltic deal

Deal is fir timber sawn into sizes for joinery, the fitting and making of wooden work and joints.

A trade term

Deal is not one species. The name has been used for sawn fir timber, including red or yellow deal and white deal, with white deal also associated with spruce. In other trade usage, redwood may be called red deal and whitewood may be called white deal.

White deal in interiors

White deal is used for flooring, interior joinery and furniture, and Christiania white deal has been described as suitable for the best joinery. It is durable when kept dry, while its low cost and adaptability have encouraged its use in floors.

Choose the grade and use

White deal or spruce has been advised against for constructive parts, meaning load-bearing work, because variable texture can prevent it retaining a true surface. It is nevertheless suitable for items such as table tops, shelves and cupboards, where its lack of turpentine and resin is useful around food.

Different deals differ

Red deal is described as stronger than yellow pine, while white deal is described as more prone to warping. Do not treat one colour name as a complete performance specification: identify the timber and match it to the job.