is hemlock good for lumber

5 Facts that Show Hemlock Wood is Good

• 1. Lumber Eastern hemlock is used to manufacture lumber used for lighting framing, sheathing, sub-flooring, and roofing. ...
• 2. Pulp The pulp made from hemlock wood is used to make paper for printing newspapers and wrappers.
• 3. Boxes and Crates Hemlock is also used to make boxes, crates, and pallets.
• 4. Tannin Extraction As we’ve seen, Hemlock was initially grown for its bark. ...
• 5. Firewood ...

Full Answer

Is hemlock a good building material?

Hemlock is a good building material because it is light and strong. It is widely used for framings and sub-floors, as well as for roofing and sheathing. It can also be used for indoor features like shutters, banisters, and stairs. Hemlock is a softwood common in North America. It was used primarily for its bark, which was extracted for tannin ...

Is a hemlock a good wood to burn?

Hemlock is considered an ideal choice for wood stove burning. Even if hemlock is softwood, it can be burnt as firewood after ensuring that the wood is seasoned well. Hemlock is usually considered softwood. But it can be simmered as a good firewood derivation as long as the plank is well-seasoned correctly before using it.

Is hemlock a hard wood?

Hemlock is not a hardwood. Hemlock is a softwood. Hemlock wood has a hardness rating of 540 lbf (2,402 N) which is higher than most softwoods. It grows harder with the age. Even though Hemlock is a softwood, it is stronger than many hardwoods because of its dense grain. But that’s just a quick snapshot.

Is Hemlock good for exterior use?

Hemlock is a great wood for outdoor use, as mentioned pests won’t get in it and it is very rot resistant. Some say it holds up better than treated wood. Some say it holds up better than treated wood.

Can hemlock be used for lumber?

This means that with the right preparation, you can use hemlock lumber both for indoor and outdoor projects, and the results will come out nicely. Hemlock can be used for creating window or door frames, and even floor panels or molding.

Is hemlock good for framing?

Hemlock is a good building material because it is light and strong. It is widely used for framings and sub-floors, as well as for roofing and sheathing. It can also be used for indoor features like shutters, banisters, and stairs. Hemlock is a softwood common in North America.

Is hemlock a hardwood or a softwood?

softwoodHemlock is a softwood. Hemlock wood has a hardness rating of 540 lbf (2,402 N) which is higher than most softwoods. It grows harder with the age. Even though Hemlock is a softwood, it is stronger than many hardwoods because of its dense grain.

Is hemlock lumber worth anything?

The price of hemlock is a fraction of the $15-$16 per square foot for reclaimed lumber, he said. Hemlock boards planed on one side with a shiplap edge is one of Parker Lumber's most popular products. It can be used as flooring, siding or sheathing.

How long will hemlock post last?

Hemlock is locally widely used for raised garden beds, fencing, and barn construction and repair. There is no guarantee as to how long the wood will last in the ground, but in the right conditions, some people report that it lasts 5 to 7 years.

How much is a hemlock tree worth?

Standing hemlock timber usually sells for around $5-$10 a ton, which translates to around $10-$20 a tree.

How long does it take to season a hemlock firewood?

How Long To Season Hemlock Wood? One of the quickest drying firewood out there, hemlock only takes 7 – 12 months to season depending on when in the time of the year you cut it.

Is hemlock more expensive than pine?

Pine is the not as strong as fir or hemlock. Pine has more knots, but it's more affordable that hemlock or fir. Pine has the advantage of aesthetics if you like rustic lumber for paneling, cabinets or furniture.

Does hemlock make good beams?

The strength and the availability of large sizes make Eastern Hemlock a very good choice in traditional post and beam timber framing. For a long time, Eastern Hemlock was the species of choice for the master beams in residential construction.

Is hemlock hard to split?

Hemlocks in Particular The wood of hemlock trees (not to be confused with the poisonous plant of the same name) features extremely hard knots that make the trees difficult to split into burnable logs.

Does hemlock darken with age?

Like most wood species, hemlock may further darken on its own as it ages.

How do you treat hemlock lumber?

Apply a finishing product to the wood, using smooth, long paint brush strokes. If you want to change the color of the hemlock lumber, use a suitable color of wood stain, like golden oak. If you do not wish to change the color of the wood, use a drying oil instead, such as linseed oil or tung oil.

Is hemlock good for post and beam?

The strength and the availability of large sizes make Eastern Hemlock a very good choice in traditional post and beam timber framing. For a long time, Eastern Hemlock was the species of choice for the master beams in residential construction.

Is hemlock better than pressure treated?

Pressure treated will last significantly longer. Hemlock performs about the same as Southern Pine and its above ground life is significantly less than treated pine's in ground life. In ground, you can't expect untreated wood to last more than 3-5 years.

Is hemlock more expensive than pine?

Pine is the not as strong as fir or hemlock. Pine has more knots, but it's more affordable that hemlock or fir. Pine has the advantage of aesthetics if you like rustic lumber for paneling, cabinets or furniture.

Can I build a deck with hemlock?

Although hemlock is classified as a softwood and cuts smoothly, the wood of a hemlock can be as strong as hardwoods if handled properly before you use it as decking material. A hemlock deck provides a place to gather in nice weather.

What does it mean when hemlock is hard?

The strength of hemlock means that when it dries, it is quite hard. This is great for something you don’t want to change or see a shift – it’s sturdy and resilient – but if you are working with aged and dried wood or looking to modify an existing fixture, nailing and sawing can become a challenge.

What color is eastern hemlock?

One feature of eastern hemlock that may influence you to opt for it for your siding is that over time, as it weathers, it becomes a pleasing and distinctive brown-red color. This is different from comparable lumber choices such as spruce or fir, which weather to a dull grey.

How does weather affect wood?

Weathers to a Pleasing Color. Over time, exposure to the elements will change the color of the wood. As it ages, it will dry out, fade in the sun, and be exposed to wind and rain. All of this affects how it will eventually look.

Is hemlock a good material?

Hemlock is a good building material because it is light and strong. It is widely used for framings and sub-floors, as well as for roofing and sheathing. It can also be used for indoor features like shutters, banisters, and stairs. Hemlock is a softwood common in North America. It was used primarily for its bark, which was extracted for tannin, ...

Is hemlock wood stronger than pine?

Hemlock is more resistant to warping or twisting due to weather than pine, so it is a popular choice for trims and moldings. Pine is known as a weak wood, though it has its place. However, hemlock is far superior when it comes to warping and discoloration from temperature fluctuations.

Is hemlock a wood?

Hemlock is a softwood common in North America. It was used primarily for its bark, which was extracted for tannin, but these days its use in construction is becoming more and more widespread. The rest of this article will look at the pros and cons of choosing to build with hemlock and what kind of projects it is best suited for.

Is hemlock good for subflooring?

This means it will not last well over time in prolonged damp or fluctuating temperatures, which is one reason it is largely used in subflooring and framing. Keep this in mind when choosing a lumber option for outdoor building projects, and if you do use hemlock outside, make sure to give it preservative treatment.

Where does hemlock lumber come from?

And then the eastern hemlock's West Coast cousin provided the raw material. Today hemlock lumber from Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia (where the species represents 60 percent of the mature coastal forest) feeds home construction and millwork manufacturers.

What is hemlock bark?

Hemlock. The softwood that toughens up with age. During the last century the bark of hemlock was sometimes worth more than the wood. The leather-tanning and fur-processing industries demanded hemlock bark for its high tannic acid content. Hides and skins infused with a tannic-acid solution become soft and strong.

What color is the bark of a hemlock tree?

The bark of both hemlock species appears cinnamon-red to brown in color and has broad, deep ridges. Seed-bearing brown cones sprout at the ends of branch shoots.

How much does hemlock weigh?

The wood of western hemlock weighs more (about 29 pounds per cubic foot, dry) than that of its eastern relative. Western hemlock also is harder, stronger, straighter-grained, and resin-free. You can work hemlock easily with hand or power tools. In crosscutting, however, expect some tearout.

How big is a hemlock tree?

Trees 100 years old can be 150' tall with a 24" diameter.

Where does Eastern Hemlock grow?

The Japanese word means "yew-leaved," referring to its short, flat, and contrary to legend, non-poisonous needles. Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) plants its roots from Canada south to Georgia and west across the Great Lakes states to Minnesota.

Where is hemlock found?

Vast logging operations on the Pacific Northwest coast keep hemlock widely available in the West and Midwest. On the East Coast, even availability of local hemlock is spotty.

What is the hemlock advantage?

The Hemlock Advantage is 9Wood’s answer to keeping wood ceiling prices stable and dodging the budget axe. For 25 years, western hemlock has been the most economical species 9Wood offers and this will not change.

How long is hemlock stain?

Hemlock has another advantage: its long lengths. Most panel products come in 8’ modules. Hardwoods top out at 10’. But hemlock offers lengths up to 12’ or even 14‘. These lengths are often not required, but it is nice to have a species with more flexibility in module sizes.

What is the cream of the softwood supply chain?

Clear, knot-free lumber used in wood ceilings is the cream of the softwood supply chain. It takes gallons of milk to make a quart of cream. But if the demand for milk increases, more cream is available. The sharp rise in demand for normal-grade framing lumber, of which hemlock is an important source, has actually increased the availability ...

Where is 9Wood hemlock sourced?

9Wood’s hemlock is sourced from certified well-managed forests located in nearby British Columbia. This area is called Cascadia, an economic and cultural zone stretching from Oregon to British Columbia. The Trump administration raised tariffs on our Canadian hemlock to $0.21 per $1.00 in 2018. But recently, with the renegotiated Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), tariffs dropped back down to $0.09 per $1.00. Although market demand has driven up all wood prices, this reduced tariff has partially offset those increases.

Is hemlock a solid wood?

FSC®: No. PEFC®: Solid. 3. Hemlock Is Versatile. Hemlock is a blond wood with beautiful texture and grain. Its basic hues are flaxen, and clear lumber means the wood is free of any dark knots. Many designers love hemlock’s light color and select a clear, low sheen finish to bring out its natural warmth.

How much does hemlock cost?

The price of hemlock is a fraction of the $15-$16 per square foot for reclaimed lumber, he said. Hemlock boards planed on one side with a shiplap edge is one of Parker Lumber’s most popular products. It can be used as flooring, siding or sheathing.

What is eastern hemlock?

He said eastern hemlock is considered interchangeable with “hem-fir,” a catch-all lumber designation for western hemlock and douglas fir.

What siding is used for barn boards?

High-end builder Nate Holyoke of Bucksport often uses hemlock siding, which is a lower-cost substitute for reclaimed barn boards. “We use it a lot for that … We lay it out and let it grey and weather,” explains Holyoke. The price of hemlock is a fraction of the $15-$16 per square foot for reclaimed lumber, he said.

Can hemlock be used in home framing?

As Watts is encouraging, hemlock can be used in home framing, although in parts of Maine that requires a little hoop jumping. Many of the larger municipalities in Maine require framing lumber to carry a grade stamp certifying its strength if it is used in non-agricultural buildings.

Where is Parker hemlock sold?

Most of Parker’s dimensional hemlock is sold through distributors to out-of-state markets , notably New York City. I asked Brian Parker about New York’s preference for hemlock and he was unsure, other than saying “it’s a tradition.”. “The New York market is shrinking. It used to be very, very large.

Where is Parker Lumber?

Parker Lumber in Bradford produces 10 million board feet of lumber annually and 80-85 percent of it is hemlock, according to owner Brian Parker. Parker couldn’t say if demand has increased because the mill has been running full bore for a while. “We saw hemlock year round,” said Parker. “We’re at capacity.

Is hemlock green or rough sawn?

Most hemlock is sold rough-sawn and green, given that it is predominantly used in farm buildings. This is perfectly acceptable in drafty out buildings, because installed green, hemlock will dry in place, which counteracts its tendency to twist as it dries.

How long does it take to season hemlock firewood?

Hemlock might take about 7-8 months. But giving it a solid one year to season well and cope up with the environment.

How do you dispose of hemlock?

You need to be prepared by using gloves and sealing the wood in a sealed plastic bag. Let the bag cook under the sun for some time, and then personally put that bag in the trash site.

Is hemlock good firewood for woodstove burning?

Hemlock is considered an ideal choice for wood stove burning. Even if hemlock is softwood, it can be burnt as firewood after ensuring that the wood is seasoned well.

What makes good firewood?

The literal meaning of firewood is the wood that can be burnt as fuel. Firewood can be both seasoned and unseasoned. But still, they are recognizable effortlessly. They are pieces of logs and in branched form.

Is hemlock poisonous when dried?

Hemlock becomes poisonous when it is dried off. Poisonous hemlock thrives throughout the whole United States. This poison of dried hemlock has been known for centuries. But still, in this era, mammals and insects are affected by this poison.

Is hemlock good firewood?

But at first, the source must be properly seasoned before use. Nevertheless, hemlock is considered an ideal choice of firewood as it can light up to 10 hours nonstop.

What is Eastern Hemlock used for?

Comments: In addition to its lumber, Eastern Hemlock is also known for its ornamental value, and hundreds of cultivars are known to exist. Eastern Hemlock is also the state tree of Pennsylvania.

What are the working properties of wood?

Workability: Working properties are intermediate . The wood tends to splinter easily when being worked, and tends to plane poorly. Also, because of the disparity between the soft earlywood and the hard latewood, sanding can create dips and uneven surfaces. Glues, stains, and finishes well.

What is the color of heartwood?

Color/Appearance: Heartwood is light reddish brown. Sapwood may be slightly lighter in color but usually isn’t distinguished from the heartwood. The conspicuous growth rings can exhibit interesting grain patterns on flatsawn surfaces.

Is hemlock a non-native insect?

Currently, the species is threatened by the hemlock woolly adelgid, a non-native insect that kills infested trees. When compared to Western Hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), Eastern Hemlock generally has wider growth rings, though both species can have tightly spaced growth rings.

Is hemlock a good wood?

Hemlock is used primarily as a construction timber, and is in good supply. Expect prices to be moderate for a domestic softwood. Sustainability: This wood species is not listed in the CITES Appendices, but is reported by the IUCN as being near threatened.

Does Eastern Hemlock cause skin irritation?

Allergies/Toxicity: Eastern Hemlock has been reported to cause skin irritation. See the articles Wood Allergies and Toxicity and Wood Dust Safety for more information.

Reasons to Use Hemlock

Cons of Using Hemlock

Final Thoughts

• Hemlock is most certainly a good building material. It performs well in framings, sidings, sub-floorings, or roofing, or you can use it for sheds and saunas, moldings and trimmings, and floors and stairs. Whatever wood you choose will influence your building’s life and longevity, so you know you should choose wisely! As long as you take its strengt...

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