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Hemlock

Veneer Specification

Description

Hemlock is a softwood which is sourced from the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. Hemlock's physical properties are often considered comparative to Yellow Pine or Douglas Fir. The sapwood and heartwood are nearly identical in color. Veneer stems mainly from heartwood which can range in color from wheat to golden tan in color. Sapwood is slightly paler in overall color. The transition between heartwood and sapwood is not visually distinct. Grain color is diffused, light tan to reddish brown. Growth rings are predominately straight in orientation with tight, consistent spacing. Cathedral to irregular grain patterns may occur more frequently when plain sawn/sliced. Most natural characteristics are not desired and limited with respect to size and occurrence. Hemlock's coarse surface texture is prone to raised and torn surface graining with heavy knife and machining processes. In addition, Hemlock veneer is susceptible to shake and grain ruptures with improper drying /storage techniques.

Woodport Grade

Select. Uniformity Density = 2.0/Square Foot.

Flitches may be composed of both heartwood and sapwood. Veneer flitches shall range in color from wheat to golden tan in color. Grain shall be straight and vertically oriented with the component. Cathedral and irregular grain patterns are acceptable, in moderation. Grain shall be diffused, and range from light tan to reddish brown in color. No solid color dark brown or black grain colors. Components made up of multiple veneer flitches shall closely match in color and grain pattern. No open knots, bark pockets, worm holes, cracks, splits or ruptured grain. Figuring and natural characteristics shall blend with the veneer color. No dark brown or black colors are acceptable. No pitch allowed. Minimal mineral streaks shall be allowed. All natural characteristics shall appear random, not patterned, across the surface of the finished component. Natural characteristics shall not detract from the overall pleasing to the eye finished component appearance.

Not Allowed

  • Bark Pockets
  • Cracks/Splits/Checks
  • Honeycomb
  • Doze / Dry Rot
  • Fillings
  • Knot holes (voids)
  • Open Defects (voids)
  • Ruptured Grain
  • Ruptured Shake
  • Worm Holes (voids)
  • Worm Tracks (voids)
  • Black Color
  • Dark Brown Color
  • Mineral Stain
  • Mineral Streaks
  • Heavy Knife/Machining Marks

Allowed

Knife / Machining Marks:

Shallow surface imperfections in veneer flitch which may be removed through light surface sanding are allowable.

Blended:

Small conspicuous burls, circular displacements and grain swirls are allowable up to a maximum of 5/8" diameter. Must be sound/tight, (no voids). All figures to blend with the natural veneer flitch color. Figures which are very dark brown or black in color are not acceptable. No figure to produce a shimmered veneer surface texture. Not highly desired in this grade. Maximum number per finished component size as follows:

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
0 Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 12"
1 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 13" - 45"
2 Widths 25" and up Lengths 46" and up

Knots:

All knots must be sound/tight and closed, (no voids). Knots must blend with the natural veneer and be no darker than the grain color. Dark brown or black colors are not acceptable. Knots significantly detract from the appearance and uniformity desired in this grade. Minimal number of knots desired. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned. Maximum allowable per grouping as stated.

Knots, Pin:

Maximum of 1/8" diameter. Must blend with the veneer color. No dark brown or black centers.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
1 Widths up to 7" Lengths up to 12"
2 Widths 8" - 13" Lengths 13" - 45"
3 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 46" - 81"
4 Widths 25" and Up Lengths 82" and Up
Knots, Sounds/Tight:

Maximum of 3/8" diameter. Must blend with the veneer color. No dark brown or black centers.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
0 Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 24"
1 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 25" - 81"
2 Widths 25" And Up Lengths 82" and Up
Knots, Cluster

Maximum of 5/8" diameter across the overall grouping. Clusters with up to (3) knots are acceptable. Knot clusters may not be tightly grouped or patterned.

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
0 Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 12"
1 Widths 14" and Up Lengths 13" and Up

Sugar Stains/Streaks

Naturally occurring in species. Can appear as either diffused or solid colored line. Must be oriented with grain of veneer. Cross grain stains and streaks are not acceptable. Various widths and lengths. Select veneer to minimize occurrence. Must not be tightly grouped or patterned. Must not detract from the appearance or uniformity desired in this grade. Maximum allowable per grouping as stated.

Sugar Stain:

Diffused, non-solid dull brown color. Allowable to 1/8" in width and 2" in length. May not

Number Allowable Panels Stiles & Rails
0 Widths up to 13" Lengths up to 12"
1 Widths 14" - 24" Lengths 13" - 45"
2 Widths 25" and Up Lengths 46" and Up
Sugar Streak:

Solid line of dull brown to reddish brown color. Widths to 1/32", (heavy pencil line), to a maximum of 1" in length. Streaks must be oriented with the grain pattern. Number of streaks will vary per flitch. Must not be conspicuous or conflict with overall finished component appearance. Minimal number of streaks desired. Unlimited number of streaks allowable.

Number Allowable Panels                      Stiles & Rails           
Unlimited All Widths All Lengths

Veneer Splicing

Veneer shall be spliced to provide a pleasing to the eye appearance. Veneer shall be composed of Heartwood flitches selected to best match color and grain pattern. Veneer with Benin vertical figuring shall be book matched spliced. All veneer shall be spliced so as not to create a unnatural or stark contrast of color, grain or figure. Veneer grain shall be oriented vertically with length of component. Flitches shall not be trimmed or spliced through a figure, knot or stain greater than 1/16" in width.

Veneer Flitch Sizing

Minimum Flitch Width Allowed: 5"

Widths up to 7": No splice allowed

Widths 8" - 13": One splice allowed, centered to overall sheet width. Trim final veneer sheet from both sides to provide flitches of nearly equal width, (+/- 1/4"), and balanced finished appearance.

Widths 14" and Up: Minimum 5" flitch width. Not to exceed 5 total flitches per finished veneer sheet. Individual veneer flitches shall be nearly equal in width, (+/- 1/4"), to provide a balanced appearance.

Veneer Glue Line

Glue line shall be continuous, structurally sound with no separation or voids between flitches. Glue line must not be visible after finish sanding. Minimize excess adhesive on surfaces of veneer flitch and finished component.

Veneer Specifications: Panel Stiles & Rails Flat
Grade (HPVA): Veneer Grade A/B Veneer Grade A/B Veneer Grade B
Thickness: 1/42" or (0.0238") 1/24" or (0.0417) Interior
1/16" or (0.0625) Exterior		 1/42" of (0.0238")
Thickness Tolerance: +/- (.005") +/- (.005") +/- (.007")
Moisture Content: 5 - 10% 5 - 10% 5 - 10%
Spliced Width Tolerance: +/- (1/16") +/- (1/16") +/- (1/16")
Length Tolerance: +/- (1/16") +/- (1/16") +/- (1/16")
Cutting Method: Plain Sliced Plain Sliced Plain Sliced