3-1/2" Primed Flatstock Lumber – Hemlock, Unfinished

3-1/2" S4S hemlock flatstock is a smooth-planed Pacific coast hemlock board for interior trim, shelving, and millwork applications, available at Windsor Plywood. Western hemlock machines cleanly, holds nails and screws well, and accepts paint and stain evenly. Supplied unprimed and ready for site finishing.

Features

• S4S -- surfaced four sides for a consistent, smooth surface on all four faces
• Pacific coast hemlock -- fine-grained, pitch-free, excellent paint and stain acceptance
• Unfinished -- prime and paint, or stain to match existing millwork
• Suitable for interior trim, shelving, window stools, and custom millwork
• Holds nails and screws well for strong trim attachment

Specifications

Common Uses

Western hemlock S4S flatstock is used for custom window stools, interior shelving, painted millwork, and projects where the painter's finish will be applied on site. Hemlock is a step up from finger-jointed pine for projects where knot-free, consistent-grained wood is preferred for a premium painted finish.

Pro Tips

• Apply a quality primer coat before painting hemlock -- the open grain absorbs the first coat unevenly and a primer coat levels the surface.
• Sand lightly between coats with 220-grit paper for a smooth, professional painted finish.
• When staining hemlock, apply a pre-stain conditioner first -- hemlock can absorb stain unevenly in areas of differing grain density.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hemlock better than pine for painted trim?
Hemlock generally provides a smoother painted finish than finger-jointed pine due to its finer, more consistent grain. For high-quality painted millwork, hemlock is a better substrate.

Can I use hemlock for exterior applications?
Hemlock has moderate natural durability and is not recommended for exposed exterior applications without a finish system. For exterior trim, cedar or an engineered exterior product is more appropriate.