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Spruce vs hemlock clapboards

molly54321 | Posted in Green Products and Materials on

Hello,
Curious to hear what the long-time builders here think about spruce vs. hemlock clapboards. In my area primed spruce is nearly half the cost of primed hemlock. Assuming the clapboards are painted regardless and there is a rain screen behind it, how do the two perform differently over time? Or is the grade/quality a bigger factor than the species? Northern VT climate. Many thanks!
Molly

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Replies

  1. Expert Member
    Michael Maines | | #1

    In Vermont, you're probably talking about spruce clapboard from the Ward mill? They make high-quality, vertical-grain spruce clapboards in a few grades. Vertical grain makes them very stable. Spruce is not naturally rot-resistant so you should use a rainscreen and finish at least the faces, and preferably all sides, if you want them to last. Their biggest drawback is that they only come in short lengths, up to 6'. Most carpenters are used to installing longer boards.

    For hemlock, I have only used western hemlock, which is related to eastern hemlock but they can be found in long, clear lengths, with vertical grain if you want it. Hemlock is more rot-resistant than spruce but it should still be finished with something and be installed over a rain screen.

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