I am pricing out a 1200 sf addition to my home. Normally when I frame jobs (my framing is very limited, only partition walls, etc.) I use green doug fir. I pay $3 +/- for an 8′ stud. I called the lumber yard to get some prices for my addition and they told me they are clearing out thier green 2x4x8 hemp fir at .99 each. That makes a BIG price difference considering I need 400+ studs. Even though I am not starting construction for another two months, I could buy, tarp and store until needed.
What are the differences between doug fir and hemp? I want to hear from all you framing contractors out there. Is the .99 a deal to be jumped on, or am I asking for problems in using a sub-par material.
Thanks in advance for the anticipated responses.
Brian……Bayview Renovation
Replies
First, I can't imagine why someone would want to usegreen framing lumber given the trouble it can cause, but if you are buying ahead, it will season by time you use it.
Second, doug fir is short for Douglass Fir, a species.
while there is no hemp fir. The designation is Hem/Fir covering a broader range of harvested specieas mixed in same load, much the same wauy that SPF does ( spruce, pine, fir) it stands for hemlock and fir mixed. The H/F mix is slightly more brittle than the doug fir and definitely less strong if you were looking at roof raters or joists, but it is fine for stud materials, IMO go for it.
My guess, without seeing the plans, you will need more like 600 studs unless this is mostly open space and no closets.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Hemp Fur are those fuzzy little hairs on the hemp plant cannibis leaves....where you been? lolThe secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
Yeah, and you'd find your studs disappearing and all the workers sitting around a bonfire inhaling deeply! Bummer!
catch the hemp part...
somke 'em or tie somebody up...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Hem/fir tends to be a bit more squirrely (prone to twisting, warping, bowing and splitting) than Doug fir.
At 99 cents each, you may be getting restacked "pickovers" that have been rejected at least once, poorly stacked, etc.
Look them over really close. And if you store them, keep them out of wind and sun in a dry cool place, off the ground. If you can do the above, also keep the units strapped until ready to use.
Good point on the selection processs.I wonder how long 'till Sphere hits this thread.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Right chere bro'I quit that when the cost outweighed the benefits..it's been yrs since my last toke....lesse..um, wait...um...I'll get some doritos and get back to ya..ok? I'm kinda hungry.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Restoring, Remodeling, Reclaiming The Quality..
I was thinking of your voluminous appetite and knowledge of species, of course.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
and if you look at the piles of those cheapies at HD most all look like bananas.
I once bought a skid load at those prices about three years agofrom Lumber 84 and was so sorry I did even though they were all bundled up...Those things twisted so bad, so fast it made my head spin.
Usually you get what you pay for.
Be well Notch
a...The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
I honor the place in you where the entire universe resides,
I honor the place in you of love, of light, of truth, of peace.
I honor the place within you where if you are in that place in you
and I am in that place in me, there is only one of us.
About 4 years ago the HemFir studs we were getting were getting pretty bad. At that time the price difference between DougFir and HemFir wasn't much so we switched to DougFir studs and plate material.
Since then, prices moved around and we switched back to Hemfir and to be honest, the quality has been really really good. We could only get 16' DougFir 2x6s for plates and Hemfir comes in 20's which is nice.
I would go with Hemfir, but be prepared to cull more than DougFir.
IF it were me, for my house, I'd use the cheaper one, provided that they were stud grade, not #2 or better, or lower.
I might even use them at #2 or better, but I'd be hesitant.
The green designation concerns me more.
Be ready for lots of twisting, bowing and crowning. The only ones I really don't like are the crowning. I'd frame my kitchen walls with straight twisted studs. Most people overreact to twisting studs. That particular defect is basically meaningless if it is a "common" stud, but will wreak havoc if it is a trimmer. On the other hand, I absolutly abhor using twisted plate stock unless it is unusually wet and supple. If its dry and brittle, it's impossible to force into shape without it splitting severly.
I'm probably the only one in here who doesn't mind "defective" wood. I guess I have a soft heart....when I try to toss those disadvantaged underlings into the compost heap, I feel their pain....living a 40 year life in hopes of proudly standing inside a wall, only to be tossed aside like sand in the wind...
I'm wiping my tears right now.
Tree Hugger blue
Just because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
green?
green ...
GREEN?
let's talk about the green studs before we even start to confuse ourselves with the differences between Doug and hem fir ...
Do ya even know about working with green studs?
Your house .... what ... U looking for stuff to get amd about years down the road?
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Just a thought................
If you stack/store green lumber under a tarp without adequate ventilation plus spaces and stickers between all the 2x's, you will find lots of mold, fungus, & rot when you return to use them.
..................Iron Helix
For 3$/stud you ought to be able to get KD SPF !!
where are you?
Fill out your profile!
without a geographical piont of reference this whole discussion is just a bunch of uninformed opinions.
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore
without a geographical piont of reference this whole discussion is just a bunch of uninformed opinions
I don't agree!
lumber is lumber.
blueJust because you can, doesn't mean you should!
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. There are some in here who think I'm a hackmeister...they might be right! Of course, they might be wrong too!
Is DF cheaper or not where he is?
Is KD available?
is SPF available?
Alot of un-answered questions.
A little pertinent info would be a big help.
But you seem to know all the answers anyhoo
:)
Mr T
I can't afford to be affordable anymore