What are the benefits of hemlock?
Jan 30, 2020 · 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. Click to see full answer .
Is Hemlock OK for a porch floor?
Mar 10, 2022 · 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.
What to do with hemlock lumber?
Jun 25, 2019 · 5 FACTORS TO CONSIDER TO CHOOSE A GOOD OUTDOOR FINISHING PRODUCT. A good finishing product for your exterior hemlock sidings will first of all be easy to apply, will allow the wood to breathe, will be durable, will give a finish that will respect your tastes and will be easy to maintain. 1-EASY TO APPLY EXTERIOR FINISH
How strong is hemlock lumber?
Hemlock is an excellent choice as it comes out stunning with all finishes from paint, stain, and vanish, especially western hemlock, whose grain is smoother than eastern hemlock. The Best Alternative to Hardwood If your budget is not enough for the high cost of hardwood, you can use hemlock as it has almost similar features.
How long will hemlock last outside?
Once dry, hemlock is very difficult to work. 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.
Is hemlock good for exterior siding?
Clear Vertical Grain Hemlock (CVG) Clear Vertical Grain Hemlock has a fine straight grain texture. It is naturally light in color, highly workable, and easy to stain or paint. This product is widely used as interior paneling, molding, and exterior soffit.Jan 29, 2022
How long will hemlock siding last?
Under normal conditions you should expect a service life of 25+ years with thermally modified hemlock. Whether you are installing your siding in a traditional ship lap or tongue and groove (T&G) profile, or prefer a rainscreen siding design and installation, both species are very good options to consider.Aug 3, 2021
Is hemlock lumber rot resistant?
Hemlock is rated as low in decay resistance, prone to distinct warping, and shrinks quite a bit. But, if kept dry, any wood is rot resistant.Dec 18, 2001
Is hemlock better than cedar?
Cedar has microbial properties, which can help lead to detoxification. Hemlock, on the other hand, is an adequate insulator as well. It is nontoxic and odorless, which appeals to some customers. Hemlock is a stronger wood than cedar, and it resists decay.
Is hemlock a good siding material?
I found that hemlock is more resistant to this mold. It's also harder and more rot resistant. It is nowhere near as rot resistant as cedar, a more common siding material however.Nov 16, 2015
Is hemlock good for building?
Hemlock's strength and durability have long made it the material of choice for building garages, sheds and barns. But it has a reputation as a difficult wood to work with, which has limited its use in other applications.Jan 28, 2021
Does hemlock need to be sealed?
Seal the hemlock by brushing on a coat of polyurethane. Allow this to harden for roughly eight hours before applying at least one more coat.
Is hemlock good for board and Batten?
Secure the battens with one line of 10d nails between the boards. The siding should be finished with a semitransparent or opaque oil-based penetrating stain. Hemlock is not a great choice as a siding material. On a scale of 1 to 10, it rates as a 6 in paint retention, and about 5 in resistance to cupping.
Can hemlock be used for framing?
As a building material it is good for framing, sheathing, and I have seen some nice furniture pieces made out of hemlock. Strength wise eastern hemlock has better performance numbers than spruce both red and white and balsam fir. I have made several buildings using hemlock for framing and siding.May 17, 2007
Does hemlock last longer than pine?
Treated hemlock will last just as long (50 years) as treated southern yellow pine, though the treatments are different, says Bumby. Southern yellow pine's exterior cell structure (the sapwood) is very porous, making it easy to treat, said Bumby.Oct 21, 2020
Is hemlock stronger than Douglas fir?
If wood strength and hardness matter to you, choose Douglas-fir wood over whitewood. Fir is harder and stronger than pine, spruce or hemlock, and it's less likely to have knots or other blemishes.Aug 31, 2021
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 lumber strong?
However, hemlock lumber with the smooth grain is actually quite strong. This strength makes it fairly resistant to wear and tear, and consequently, it is a good option for high-traffic parts of a house or building, where it will hold up to frequent use. It is an excellent material for building projects, particularly for framing.
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 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.
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.
How tall is a 100 year old hemlock tree?
Trees 100 years old can be 150' tall with a 24" diameter. 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 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.
Is hemlock good for stairs?
Due to its strength and wear-resistance, hemlock also becomes reliable ladders and stair components. Ease of machining and finishing have made hemlock an increasingly popular alternative to hardwood for furniture and cabinets. Lack of pitch and resin also make hemlock ideal for the dry heat of saunas.
What is a good finish for hemlock siding?
A good finishing product for your exterior hemlock sidings will first of all be easy to apply, will allow the wood to breathe, will be durable, will give a finish that will respect your tastes and will be easy to maintain.
What is Eastern Hemlock?
Eastern hemlock, a wood well known in the eastern province of Canada, is appreciated for its rustic appearance with rich tone. In recent years, this type of wood has become popular for the structures, sidings and can even be used to build terrace. Because hemlock can easily cracked, attention must however be paid to fibre rolled up near ...
What is the most important factor to consider when choosing a product?
One of the most important factors to consider is the durability of the product. Depending on the project, the surfaces to be protected can be horizontal or vertical. This factor makes a big difference because, where some products performance can be acceptable on vertical surfaces, it can be quite different with horizontal surfaces.
Can you put hemlock in shade?
Hemlock also tends to twist if it dries too fast. We must therefore put the hemlock boards in the shade and allow only a slight breeze to speed up drying at the risk of having to plane all over again. The ALIS 579 terrace oil and the DONNOS 223 fence oil are natural finishing products that are easy to apply.
Is hemlock wood gray?
Known for its resistance to weather and humidity, hemlock neverthe less remains fragile to graying. If it is used in an apparent way and you do not want your wood to become greyish, you will have to add a finishing product to your hemlock siding. However, since it is an open-pore wood, it requires more product than another type of wood, ...
Is hemlock a hardwood?
Less expensive than cedar or spruce, hemlock is the hardwood of soft woods. This characteristic makes it a perfect wood for structures in humid environments such as docks, little wood bridge, fences, flower boxes and garden structures in greenhouses that can also become very humid.
Is hemlock easy to apply?
1-EASY TO APPLY EXTERIOR FINISH. If you want to save on the cost of exterior cladding materials by choosing hemlock rather than cedar, for example, you may also want to reduce application costs. Some products can be quite durable, but need professional skills to apply. It will be very advantageous to choose an easy to apply finishing product so ...
What is Hemlock Wood?
Hemlock is a softwood and a member of the pine family. There are about 10 species of hemlock, with the most popular and commercialized Eastern Hemlock and western hemlock.
Characteristics of Hemlock Wood
There are plenty of reasons to use hemlock wood in your next project, and discussed below are just a few.
The Best Alternative to Hardwood
If your budget is not enough for the high cost of hardwood, you can use hemlock as it has almost similar features.
What are the Downsides of Using Hemlock Wood?
Like every other type of wood, hemlock also has its downside. So do your research before buying or cutting your hemlock tree. So what complaints do people have on hemlock?
5 Facts that Show Hemlock Wood is Good
If you are not sure if hemlock wood is good for anything, here are 5 facts to prove that you can use it to make the following items.
Final Thoughts
Hemlock is a solid softwood and an excellent building material with many pros than cons. It can be used as an alternative to hardwood makes a better choice for people with a low budget. And a bonus to boot, it’s good to look at.
Where does western hemlock come from?
JohnGi. There's a big difference between western hemlock which comes from the coastal mountains in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia and eastern hemlock which comes from the northeastern states and Canada . Western hemlock is sold as premium structural lumber in douglas fir, hemlock, larch mix.
Is hemlock siding good for outdoor 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. I put hemlock siding on my house and I built a deck frame with. It is plentifull around my part of TN.
Do Menominees have hemlock?
The Menominee, who have done an exemplary job managing their forest in Wisconsin for over a century, have avoided manipulating their species mix in favor of maintaining the original forest makeup. They now have a lot of mature hemlock and were looking for a market for it which this guy could not find for them.
Is hemlock poisonous?
The tree is not poisonous. Poison hemlock is a herbaceous biennial plant in which all portions of the plant are poisonous. Here is a short article from Wood Magazine talking about the characteristics of hemlock and its' uses. http://www.woodmagazine.com/materials-guide/lumber/wood-species-2/hemlock/.
How long does a water repellent sealer last?
A clear water repellent sealer (some have UV inhibitors which will retard the graying for a while) will last a year or two. A semitransparent stain will probably get you 2 to 5 years.
Why leave a face unpainted?
The reason you leave the face unpainted is to provide the moisture in the wood a path to escape. Once down to 7-19% moisture the wood won't tend to blow off paint as the moisture in the wood tries to escape. Paint appied in this manner sticks well and doesn't need much maintinance at all!
Does varnish hold up well?
It's now 4 years later The varnish has held up extremely well but for some of those timbers the wood is no longer the rich deep brown it once was, it's turned almost yellow, in a couple more years it will whiten and then start to turn grey. Before that point I will paint the wood a dark rich brown.
Reasons to Use Hemlock
Cons of Using Hemlock
- Keep in mind that hemlock will not be the perfect material for everything you are seeking to achieve. It’s up for you to decide if the pros outweigh the cons. Read on for some qualities that may make you think twice about using it in your project. One slightly notorious feature of hemlock wood is that it is quite prone to splintering. The splinters themselves are quite hard and small, m…
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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