We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is Hemlock Lumber?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 25,301
Share

Hemlock lumber is produced from trees in the genus Tsuga. It can behave like a hardwood in many applications; this high-quality lumber has an even tone and appearance suitable for use in woodworking projects. Builders can also use it for framing and related activities because it is sturdy and not prone to warping or twisting. Mills typically produce several grades intended for different applications and provide information about the standards for each grade so consumers can decide which will meet their needs.

Healthy trees tend to produce lumber with a tight, even grain, although some hemlocks can be knotty. The lumber tends to be honey to tan and is uniformly colored. It takes readily both to machining and handling with hand tools, allowing people to shape hemlock lumber to meet their needs; it can be used as tongue and groove board for paneling, for example, or it can be rough cut for framing.

This wood tends to take paints, stains, and dyes extremely well because it has minimal resin and will not resist these treatments. Low resin can also be a drawback, as it is not very weather-resistant and also doesn’t handle pest infestation well. If hemlock lumber will be used in an outdoor setting, it needs to be treated to protect it, and periodic re-treatments are advised to keep the wood in good condition. Items like hemlock deck furniture can also be brought indoors in harsh weather to limit damage.

While working with hemlock lumber, people can use screws or nails, depending on personal preference, and the wood shouldn’t be prone to cracking or splitting if it was processed properly. Woodworkers 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 like shrinking or bowing. It is also important to check with the mill on processing techniques to make sure the wood has been handled appropriately; hemlock lumber sometimes requires a slow curing time to be suitable for some projects.

Costs can vary by grade. More expensive lumbers have very even grains and coloring and may also have been processed extensively to condition them for work. Less costly hemlock lumber tends to be rough cut and less processed. It can also be knotty or bowed, which may make it unsuitable for some applications. People ordering large batches may want to get quotes from several mills or yards, and should inspect the lumber on delivery to identify any problems so they can be addressed quickly.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGeek researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-hemlock-lumber.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.