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Two options. One context. A decision.

Set the two candidates and the climate they must survive. The table is data; the recommendation is reasoned.

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  • ERA5 / CopernicusClimateClimate reanalysis
  • Open-MeteoClimateStation normals
  • EN 350:2016StandardNatural durability
  • EN 335StandardUse classes
  • EN 351-1StandardPreservative penetration
  • EN 16449StandardBiogenic carbon
  • EN 1995-1-2StandardCharring rates
  • EN 1990StandardDesign working life
  • EN 13183-1StandardMoisture measurement
  • EN 599-1StandardPreservative efficacy
  • EN 16755StandardFire-retardant durability
  • EN 14080StandardGlulam requirements
  • EN 16351StandardCLT requirements
  • EN 927-6StandardArtificial weathering
  • EN 15026StandardHygrothermal simulation
  • ISO 15686-8StandardService-life prediction
  • ISO 21887StandardGlobal use classes
  • EN 15804+A2LCADeclared environmental impacts
  • Scheffer indexModelDecay hazard
  • Lacy driving-rain indexModelFaçade exposure
Advanced comparisonEvery indexed property, any two species, any climate zone
In plain terms

In Coastal Scotland, the deciding factor is wind-driven rain and chloride load dominate. biological growth on north elevations within 24 months.. Read the service-life and maintenance rows first — everything below them only matters once those two are acceptable for Norway Spruce or Western Red Cedar.

AttributeNorway SpruceWestern Red Cedar
Latin namePicea abiesThuja plicata
Density450 kg/m³370 kg/m³
Bending strength80 N/mm²68 N/mm²
Dimensional stabilityModerateVery high
EN 350 durability classDC 4 (slightly durable)DC 2 (durable)
Service life10–20 yrs treated, 5–10 untreated exposed40–60 yrs façade
Colour ageingYellow-warm → grey-silver in 18–36 months when exposedRed-brown → soft silver-grey in 12–24 months
FireEuroclass D-s2,d0 · charring 0.65 mm/minEuroclass D-s2,d0 · charring 0.67 mm/min
Carbon stored0.78 t CO₂e/m³0.72 t CO₂e/m³
Cost index38100

Climate context: Coastal Scotland · Cfb — temperate oceanic · Wind-driven rain and chloride load dominate. Biological growth on north elevations within 24 months.

The whole index, filtered

12 species with EN 350 durability, density, stored carbon and a relative cost index. Filter to the shortlist that survives the brief, then send a candidate to option B.

Compare
Thermally Modified AshFraxinus excelsior (TMT)DC 1–2 after modification620 kg/m³0.88 t CO₂e/m³86
Robinia (Black Locust)Robinia pseudoacaciaDC 1–2 (very durable)770 kg/m³1.08 t CO₂e/m³108
Acetylated Radiata PinePinus radiata (acetylated)DC 1 (very durable)510 kg/m³0.81 t CO₂e/m³132
Iroko (FSC certified)Milicia excelsaDC 1–2 (very durable)660 kg/m³1.05 t CO₂e/m³145
Thermally Modified PinePinus sylvestris (TMT)DC 2–3 after modification (process dependent)480 kg/m³0.79 t CO₂e/m³64
Sweet ChestnutCastanea sativaDC 2 (durable)560 kg/m³0.94 t CO₂e/m³78
Western Red CedarThuja plicataDC 2 (durable)370 kg/m³0.72 t CO₂e/m³100
European OakQuercus roburDC 2 (durable)720 kg/m³1.02 t CO₂e/m³118
Scots Pine (heartwood)Pinus sylvestrisDC 3–4 heartwood; sapwood DC 5 but treatable500 kg/m³0.83 t CO₂e/m³34
Douglas FirPseudotsuga menziesiiDC 3–4 (moderately to slightly durable)530 kg/m³0.86 t CO₂e/m³52
Siberian LarchLarix sibiricaDC 3 (moderately durable)590 kg/m³0.95 t CO₂e/m³58
Norway SprucePicea abiesDC 4 (slightly durable)450 kg/m³0.78 t CO₂e/m³38