Lumber measurements

When the board is first rough sawn from the log, it is a true 2x but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 1. Dimensional lumber is cut to a specific length, width, and depth. However, there is a difference between the nominal size (what the lumber is referred to) and the actual size. The tables below provide both the nominal and actual sizes so many common North American lumber sizes.

Most lumber is sold in “nominal” (in name only) sizes such as 1× 2× 4×and2xlumber. But these sizes are not the actual 1×dimensions, 2×dimensions, 2×dimensions, 2×dimensions and 4×dimensions of the wood. We recognize such sizes as 2x 2x 4x 1x etc. This measurement refers to the thickness and width of the lumber and the length varies. In reality, these measurements are not a true measurement of the lumber thickness or width.

The true measurement of a 2xis actually about 1. Dry lumber that has been seasoned or dried to a moisture content or less and green lumber has a moisture content of greater than. What do these lumber fractions mean? In short, these fractions are the names for the thickness of hardwood lumber.

The thickness is expressed as a fraction, and goes in increments of quarters of an inch. The label put on the lumber you buy is called the “nominal” lumber size. The actual size is always a little bit smaller. When a 2×is cut out of a log it is 2″x4″.

Nominal refers to the dimension the lumber was sawn. The availability of lumber sizes varies somewhat according to the area of the country from which the raw material originates. If you are new to buying softwood and hardwood lumber for craft projects or home improvement work, one of the first things you notice is that the dimensions by which the wood is sold (called the nominal measurements ) are not the same as the actual measurements. I understand that there is a difference in measuring hardwood lumber , surface measure (SM), and softwood lumber. But out here in the real worl the rough saw lumber worl a 2xis 2x4.

And a 6xis 6x period. The measurements by which lumber is sold is virtually never the same as the actual dimensions of the boards when you measure them. Hardwood lumber and boards are widely used for trims, furniture, and other decorative woodworking projects. If you want your project to have the natural beauty of wood with added benefits, our selection of treated wood products have been pressure treated to prevent decay and keep insects from destroying the wood. These proposals have far-reaching effects and have provoked widespread discussion.

The purpose of this report is to summarize the back- ground of yard lumber size standards and thus to add depth and meaning to the discussions. Interpreting lumber dimensions is one of the first challenges that amateur woodworkers and do it yourselfers face. When you buy lumber , understanding lumber sizes can be very confusing. I discovered this when taking my first carpentry class and tried to take notes. Actual sizes are approximate lumber dimensions after trimming.

In North America sizes for dimensional lumber made from hardwoods varies from the sizes for softwoods. Lumber Dimensions and Sizes. Boards are usually supplied in random widths and lengths of a specified thickness, and sold by the board-foot (1cubic inches).

From hardwoods to softwoods, we have everything you need for your lumber project or repair. For an instant free quote, click here! This thickness is measured at the thinnest spot used to establish the grade of the piece, for hardwoods.

Ideal for carpentry, furniture, shelving and general finish work For interior or exterior use - can be painted or stained. The board foot or board-foot is a unit of measurement for the volume of lumber in the United States and Canada. It is the volume of a one-foot length of a board one foot wide and one inch thick. Board foot can be abbreviated FBM (for foot, board measure), BDFT, or BF.

Actual dimensions of material given in quarters of an inch, usually rough lumber sold directly by mill. Board Foot A volume measurement of lumber , board foot is equal to 1cubic inches, to calculate multiply width in inches X length in inches x thickness in inches. Prices are usually given per. Measurements are rounded to next full inch.

Baird Brothers hardwood S4S lumber is surfaced sides, and sanded side with 180-grit. About lumber sizes First a timber log will be sawn into common lumber sizes such as 100mm x 50mm (2x4). This is usually called the nominal size, but can also be known as the rough size, the sawn size, or the rough sawn size.

Standard dimensions for construction lumber include thicknesses of one-by and two-by and widths from two inches to inches. PLEASE NOTE: Maximum lengths apply to molded grade only, extruded is continuous and limited only by transportation methods. For example, there are two-by-fours, one-by-sixes and other combinations of those numbers. Non-traditional profiles also exist and custom tooling fabrication-design services are available.

The second shows the board feet measurement, or cubic size, of lumber. Rempros has separate charts for softwoods, such as pine, spruce and fir and hardwoods, including oak, maple and walnut. Each chart indicates the real size, in inches or millimeters, of several lumber dimensions.

I am sure that you are correct with the large softwood lumber mills.