Hemlock timber is a high-quality lumber suitable for woodworking and framing. It has a uniform tone and appearance, but low resin makes it less weather-resistant. Hemlock lumber can be shaped easily and takes paints and stains well. Costs vary by grade, and buyers should inspect the lumber upon delivery.
Hemlock timber is produced from trees of the genus Tsuga. It can behave like a hardwood in many applications; this high quality lumber has a uniform tone and appearance suitable for use in woodworking projects. Builders can also use it for framing and related tasks because it is sturdy and not prone to warping or twisting. Mills typically produce several grades intended for different applications and provide information on the standards for each grade so consumers can decide which one will meet their needs.
Healthy trees tend to produce lumber with a tight, even grain, although some hemlocks can be gnarled. The timber tends to be honey to tan and is uniform in color. It readily requires both machining and manipulation with hand tools, allowing people to shape hemlock lumber to suit their needs; it can be used as a tongue and groove for paneling, for example, or it can be roughed out for framing.
This wood tends to take paints, stains and dyes very well because it has minimal resin and does not resist these treatments. Low resin can also be a disadvantage, as it is not very weather resistant and does not handle pest infestation well. If hemlock timber will be used in an external setting it should be treated to protect it and periodic re-treatments are recommended to keep the timber in good condition. Items such as hemlock deck furniture can also be brought indoors in inclement weather to limit damage.
While working with hemlock lumber, people may use screws or nails, depending on personal preference, and the wood should not be prone to cracking or splitting if it has been worked properly. Carpenters may want to condition the wood in their shops to give it time to acclimate to temperature and humidity levels before working with it, as this can reduce problems such as shrinkage or warping. It’s also important to check with the mill about working techniques to make sure the wood has been treated appropriately; Hemlock lumber sometimes requires a slow curing time to suit some projects.
Costs may vary by grade. The more expensive timbers have very uniform grain and coloring and may also have been extensively worked to condition them for work. The less expensive hemlock lumber tends to be coarsely cut and less processed. It can also be gnarled or arched which may make it unsuitable for some applications. People ordering large batches may want to get quotes from several factories or yards and should inspect the lumber upon delivery to identify any problems so they can be resolved quickly.
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