Home / Wood Compare / Hem-Fir vs Norway Spruce
Professional Comparison · Source-attributed engineering data · Updated 19 July 2026
Hem-Fir VS Norway Spruce
Which wood is better for your project? Scores are computed from the verified figures on each species page — how we score.
🥇
Hem-Fir
16/100 Library Score
🌲Softwood💧Moisture Stable
- Better dimensional stability (Good vs Moderate)
- Harder wear surface (Janka 500 vs 380 lbf)
- Stronger in bending (MOR 75.0 vs 63.0 MPa)
🥈
Norway Spruce
6/100 Library Score
🌲Softwood
- Close second across most categories
- Solid choice where its profile fits the project
Visual comparison
Hem-FirNorway Spruce
Winner by category
There isn't one universally best wood — there's a best wood for each purpose.
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Durability | Tie |
| Stability | Hem-Fir |
| Hardness | Hem-Fir |
| Strength (MOR) | Hem-Fir |
| Stiffness (MOE) | Hem-Fir |
| Flame spread | Tie |
| Machining ease | Norway Spruce |
| Lightness | Norway Spruce |
Engineering data
| Property | Hem-Fir | Norway Spruce |
|---|---|---|
| Janka Hardness | 500grade lbf | 380WD lbf |
| Density | 0.45grade g/cm³ | 0.43WD g/cm³ |
| MOE | 11.0grade GPa | 9.7WD GPa |
| MOR | 75.0grade MPa | 63.0WD MPa |
| Durability | Class 4 Slightly Durable | Class 4 Slightly Durable |
| Stability | Good | Moderate |
| Fire (E84) | Class C indicative | Class C indicative |
| Radial Shrink | 4.4grade % | 3.9WD % |
| Tangential Shrink | 7.6grade % | 8.2WD % |
| T/R Ratio | 1.73 | 2.1 |
Figures carry the same source status as the species pages they come from — verified where cited, indicative where marked.
Best for
| Application | Recommended | Suitability |
|---|---|---|
| Flooring / wear surfaces | 🥇 Hem-Fir | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Furniture / interior joinery | 🥇 Hem-Fir | ★★★★☆ |
| Structural / load-bearing | 🥇 Hem-Fir | ★★☆☆☆ |
Advantages & limitations
Hem-Fir
Advantages relative to Norway Spruce
- Janka is 500 lbf vs 380 lbf, about 32% harder
- MOR is 75 MPa vs 63 MPa, about 19% higher
Limitations relative to Norway Spruce
Norway Spruce
Advantages relative to Hem-Fir
Limitations relative to Hem-Fir
- Janka is 380 lbf vs 500 lbf, about 24% lower
- MOR is 63 MPa vs 75 MPa, about 16% lower
Recommendation
Choose Hem-Fir if…
- Structural framing and engineered systems, wall studs, floor joists, rafters and trusses where the higher hardness and bending strength matter in specification
- High-quality case goods, doors, louvres, windows and mouldings where the working properties are what the piece needs
Choose Norway Spruce if…
- Construction framing and carcassing, glulam and engineered wood products, joinery and interior finishing where the working properties are sufficient and cost or availability is the deciding factor
- Musical instrument soundboards (a documented signature use) and panelling where the lighter softwood profile is the specification
Frequently asked questions
Which is more durable, Hem-Fir or Norway Spruce?
Neither — both carry the same EN 350 rating (Class 4, Slightly Durable). Outdoors, movement will not separate them either — 7.6% against 8.2% tangential. The practical difference is weight: Hem-Fir runs 0.45 g/cm³ against 0.43, so Norway Spruce is the easier fix overhead and the cheaper one to freight.
Which wood is better for outdoor use?
Hem-Fir — outdoor performance combines decay durability with dimensional stability, and it leads on that combination.
Is Hem-Fir harder than Norway Spruce?
Yes — Janka 500 lbf vs 380 lbf.
How we score. Each Library Score is a weighted composite of the verified figures above, expressed as a percentile against our 60-species library. Cost is handled qualitatively, never scored. Full weighting and what it excludes.