Western Hemlock
Tsuga heterophylla
Hardness
On the soft side; easy to work, but marks with hard use.
Overview
A pale, even-grained construction softwood, often sold as 'hem-fir.' Decent strength for the weight and price, but it decays readily, keep it dry and indoors.
Commonly built
- Framing lumber
- Plywood
- Doors
- Trim
Appearance
Light reddish-brown to pale tan, fairly uniform and straight-grained, with little contrast between sap and heartwood.
Recommended uses
Uses to avoid
Similar species
Comparable on hardness, type, and workability, useful when this species isn't available.
Working notes
Works reasonably well with sharp tools; can be slightly splintery. Holds fasteners adequately. Poor decay resistance, not for outdoor or damp use. Takes paint and stain decently. Watch for occasional hard, dark knots.
Wood movement
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn western hemlock panel moves roughly 0.43 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content). Use the wood movement calculator to run your own board size and moisture range.
How much does Western Hemlock move? → See flatsawn vs. quartersawn figures and a worked example.
Common questions
How hard is Western Hemlock?
Western Hemlock has a Janka hardness of 540 lbf, a measure of how well it resists denting and wear.
Is Western Hemlock suitable for outdoor use?
Western Hemlock is best used indoors; it is not naturally suited to sustained outdoor or wet conditions.
How easy is Western Hemlock to work with?
Western Hemlock has Good workability for cutting, shaping, and joinery.
How much does Western Hemlock move seasonally?
A 24-inch-wide flatsawn western hemlock panel moves roughly 0.43 inch across a typical seasonal humidity swing (about 6% to 12% moisture content).
Community photos
Real photos from woodworkers who've used western hemlock, reviewed before they appear here.
Loading…
Wood data varies by source and sample. How we source and review our data.