Pressure-Treated Hem-Fir Lumber
Lumber
Lumber or timber is a type of wood that has been processed into beams and planks, a stage in the process of wood production. Lumber is mainly used for structural purposes but has many other uses as well.
Lumber
Lumber or timber is a type of wood that has been processed into beams and planks, a stage in the process of wood production. Lumber is mainly used for structural purposes but has many other uses as well.
What is hem-fir wood and what are its uses?
Lastly, on the uses, hem-fir is a good choice for making doors and millwork, and it can give your interior woodwork a touch of formality. 2. Physical properties Hem-fir is lightly colored. Its color ranges between white and light straw color.
What is a hemlock fir?
Hem fir is basically the combination of Western Hemlock and the true firs. The most stand-out feature about this species is its high versatility; it is very multi-purpose and usable in several framing applications. Compared to other species, Hem-fir is lighter in both the color and the weight, but this does not make it any less stronger.
What are the top facts about hem-fir?
Below is a summary of the top facts about Hem-fir. 1. Use Because of the light color of Hem-fir, it is mostly considered for tasks requiring lighter lumber, for instance, high-quality case goods, molding among others.
Is hem-fir a good alternative to Douglas fir?
It’s a viable alternative to the costly Douglas fir if you use it in interiors, for moldings or doors, or structural framing — but it must be treated before using. Hem-fir is more susceptible to water damage and insect invasion, writes Sherwood Lumber, but does hold paint well, as opposed to Douglas fir.
Is Hem-Fir good for outdoor use?
Hem fir is stronger than most softwoods and is used for many different projects. Due to its durability, treatability, and acceptability to finishes and sealants, Hem fir is an ideal option for deck design.
Is Brown Hem-Fir waterproof?
Unfortunately, Hem-fir is a little bit more susceptible to water and insect damage than its counterparts; the likes of Doug-fir, SYP and SPF. But, this should not be a major issue since the wood can be regularly pressure-treated or merely primed or painted to reduce its vulnerability.
Can I use Hem-Fir for decking?
Except for pallet wood, untreated hem-fir is the lowest cost wood decking board. Because it is strong, it has a great joist distance span. If a painted solid color is what you want in a deck, you can choose a wood like hem-fir.
Can you paint Brown Hem-Fir?
Yes! You can paint pressure-treated wood. But, if the lumber has been chemically treated with chromate copper arsenate (CCA), surface-treat it before applying paint. Use exterior latex paint instead of oil-based paints or stains because the chemicals in the treated lumber are sensitive to oil-based paints.
What are the disadvantages of fir wood?
Cons. Like all softwoods, one issue that can be a negative is that the Douglas Fir wood is, as the softwood name implies, softer than hardwoods. This can mean that the wood can be more easily damaged, so care must be taken in milling, handling, and transporting the lumber.
Is Hem-Fir stronger than southern yellow pine?
Compared to other species, Hem-fir is lighter in both the color and the weight, but this does not make it any less stronger. It's highly durable and with the right installation, it can last you a lifetime. Even better, this lumber species is available in different styles, appearance, structure, and grades.
What is the best wood to use for a deck?
What is the Best Wood for Outdoor Decks?Cedar. Using Cedar for decks is one of the most popular options because of it's durability and resistance to moisture. ... Redwood. Redwood is another western soft wood that is frequently used in outdoor deck builds. ... Pressure Treated Wood. ... Tropical Hardwoods. ... Composite Wood.
What kind of wood should I use for a deck?
Wood Materials The three common choices when it comes to wood decks are redwood, cedar and pressure-treated wood that can be made of various types of wood species. Redwood and cedar are both naturally insect and rot resistant and have a natural look, but each has its own inherent issues.
Is Douglas Fir good for deck joists?
Its durability and resistance to rot and insects make it a favorite choice for outdoor projects like porch decking as well. In fact, vertical-grain Douglas fir has been a traditional choice for porches on historic homes for more than 100 years.
Can you put pressure treated wood directly on the ground?
Pressure-treated wood is softwood lumber, typically southern yellow pine, that's been chemically treated to resist rot, decay and termites. Lumber treated to “Ground Contact” has a high chemical retention level and can be placed directly on or in the ground with better protection against rot or decay.
How long will a pressure treated post last in the ground?
A treated 4×4 will last 20 to 25 years in the ground if the conditions in the soil and climate are favorable. That number could increase to 40 to 75 years if you install the treated 4×4 in a cement ring rather than the soil.
Can pressure treated wood be used for garden beds?
Manufacturers of pressure-treated wood with micronized copper quaternary claim that their lumber won't leach any copper into the soil and therefore, it's safe for all uses, including making garden beds.
What is hem fir?
Hem-Fir. Hem fir is basically the combination of Western Hemlock and the true firs. The most stand-out feature about this species is its high versatility; it is very multi-purpose and usable in several framing applications. Compared to other species, Hem-fir is lighter in both the color and the weight, but this does not make it any less stronger.
What is SPF lumber?
Popularly referred to as SPF, Spruce easily falls among the top lumber species. Not only is it remarkably lightweight, but it is also easily available as well as affordable. Its lightweight gives it an edge over its competitor species, making it one of the most preferred house-walls lumber. Spruce is also applied in the construction of wooden aircraft. However, Spruce has one downside, which is its low resistance to decay. But this can be countered through treatment, or by using it indoors on functions like drywall framing. Check out more uses of SPF here
What is sugar pine lumber?
Another common lumber species is Sugar Pine which is a Western Pine Lumber. This species has highly appealing aesthetic value, thanks to its creamy white sapwood and the light brown heartwood. It also has great dimensional stability and it is used for boxes, crates, joinery, paneling, and shelving. However, you need to be careful since Sugar Pine is very low on rot and insect resistance, and this might reduce its durability. It also limits it to furniture and indoor construction.
Is hem fir stronger than other types of lumber?
Compared to other species, Hem-fir is lighter in both the color and the weight, but this does not make it any less stronger. It’s highly durable and with the right installation, it can last you a lifetime. Even better, this lumber species is available in different styles, appearance, structure, and grades. While it is multi-purpose, the species ...
What is hem fir?
What you’re looking at is Hem-fir (Abies grandis ), the result of cross-breeding between the hemlock tree and a fir. It's a strong softwood like the Douglas fir, and the graining on Hem-fir is fine. The wood itself is considerably less expensive than Douglas fir. It’s a viable alternative to the costly Douglas fir if you use it in interiors, for moldings or doors, or structural framing — but it must be treated before using.
What is the best way to protect Douglas fir from the elements?
Double coats of exterior-grade stain protect your wood from the elements. Not known to hold paint well, Douglas fir’s beauty lies in its color and veining, which makes waxes or surface sealers the best choice to protect the wood and display its beauty.
What do Native Americans use to waterproof their canoes?
If you appreciate the customs of Native Americans, get Douglas fir sap and rub it along the grain. They used this method to waterproof their Douglas fir canoes, according to the National Wildlife Federation.
Is Douglas Fir waterproof?
While both Pacific and Coast Douglas firs are known for their waterproof qualities, they are not completely tolerant of water. Both need to be treated with tar or wax, with the coastal variety less accepting of treatments to protect the wood against invading water, according to a report by Naturally:Wood. The grain of the best quality Douglas fir runs vertically straight, with little spacing between the grains; staining or waxing is the best protection for the wood.
Is hemlock fir a softwood?
What you’re looking at is Hem-fir (Abies grandis), the result of cross-breeding between the hemlock tree and a fir. It's a strong softwood like the Douglas fir, and the graining on Hem-fir is fine. The wood itself is considerably less expensive than Douglas fir.
Can you use hem fir for molding?
It’s a viable alternative to the costly Douglas fir if you use it in interiors, for moldings or doors, or structural framing — but it must be treated before using. Hem-fir is more susceptible to water damage and insect invasion, writes Sherwood Lumber, but does hold paint well, as opposed to Douglas fir.
Use
Physical Properties
- Hem-fir is lightly colored. Its color ranges between white and light straw color. You might find some hem-fir with a slight lavender cast, which gives it a natural appeal. The lumber is also fine-grained and even textured. It has quite a number of knots, rings, and springs. Significantly, Hem-fir is quite strong and its strength is only slightly below that of Doug-fir.
Cost
- Hem-fir is by far the cheapest lumber species, and this could possibly be one of the reasons for its prevalence. Among all decking boards, Hem-fir is the least expensive especially the untreated version. However, the downside to this could be high susceptibility to water damage and insect infestation. A better option would be priming or painting it for preservation sakes.
Availability
- Hem-fir is readily available, you can easily find it in your local store or lumberyard. In fact major stores like Sherwood Lumberstock it in all its grades, that is, the structural, appearance and remanufacturing grades. Additionally, because of its affordability, most wholesalers and retailers find it easy to stock it.
Susceptibility to Damage
- Unfortunately, Hem-fir is a little bit more susceptible to water and insect damage than its counterparts; the likes of Doug-fir, SYP and SPF. But, this should not be a major issue since the wood can be regularly pressure-treated or merely primed or painted to reduce its vulnerability.
Workability
- Just like other pressure-treated lumber, Hem-fir is quite soft. This makes it easy to work with, and drilling and nailing it can be quite an effortless task. The lumber also glues easily and accepts paint well.
Other Attributes
- Besides the above mentioned, Hem-fir is also solid tough, making it one of the durable lumber species. Its strength gives it a great joist distance span, which is an upside. Additionally. Hem-fir can be found in quite a number of dimensions, saving you the strength of having to cut the longer ones to get small dimensional lumber or vice Versa. These are pretty much the top facts about …