Replies

1. 
   blindau | Sep 09, 2003 02:45am | #1

   Nick, In my experience Hemlock is a fairly decent wood to use for exterior siding. It beats White Pine, Poplar, and the spruces but it is not as good as cedar or Redwood. On the other hand it is way less expensive than cedar or Redwood. Hemlock is notorious for its splinters, they are very fine and can be a hassle to remove from fingers.  Hemlock tends to have a sand blasted look when rough sawn as the fibers tear along growth rings.  It also has a reputation for splitting when toenailed. I have just finished nailing up around 1500 bd ft of it on the greenhouse/barn my wife and I built for her business. I have a pretty good feeling towards it still. We bought it from a local mill for around 60 cents per bd ft and the dimension was 1 1/8" x10". 

   Bill

1. 
   nicknukeem | Sep 09, 2003 03:07am | #2

   Thanks for the info.  These are precut balusters that I only need to cut to length, screw to bottom and top rail, prime and paint.  Think I'll go with the hemlock, unless someone else has reservations.

   Thanks again.

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

1. 
   trialnut | Sep 09, 2003 03:00pm | #3

   Nick

   Two things I personally don't like about Hemlock. First, it is not very strong. It's ok for sheating but I wouldn't use it for rafters or joists. Second, carpenter ants love the stuff. I have stored it indoors and out and they allways seem to find it and claim it as home. Last batch I had ended up going to a university in NYC as a shipping crate. I think all the ants were out. <g>

   RichThe Professional Termite

2. 
   jc21 | Sep 09, 2003 06:03pm | #4

   Hemlock wouldn't my first choice; cedar or redwood are much better imho. More info on eastern hemlock at this link. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/documnts/FPLGTR/fplgtr102.pdf  I've used green hemlock for outbuildings quite a bit. When it is dry, as others have mentioned it splits and splinters easily and can be a bear to work with. Watch out for shake and pitch pockets. I think if you prime the balusters before installation and predrill your screw holes, you should be ok.

1. 
   nicknukeem | Sep 10, 2003 01:45am | #5

   Thanks for the link and info.  Prime two coats and predrill are the standard for exterior trim, so I'm hoping it all goes well. 

   Thanks again.

   I never met a tool I didn't like!