Tips For Buying Hardwood Lumber

It s still a 2 4.

Tips for buying hardwood lumber.

The thinnest rough cut boards labeled 4 4 and called four quarter are 1 in. If you visit us in person you simply pick out the boards that you think will work the best for you. You can have a 2 4 that s six eight or even ten feet long. A wide variety of domestic hardwoods in various thicknesses and price ranges.

After the lumber has been sawn and dried a board that starts out as 4 4 will end up being a little closer to 7 8. Rough lumber thicknesses are measured in 1 4 in. To check a board for straight hold it up to your nose and look down the length of the board. If you don t see a thickness you want give us a call 1 877 232 3915 we can mill exactly what you need.

Like the more familiar lineal foot pricing where you pay according to the length of a piece board foot measurement does not account for the drying and surfacing of lumber. Always take the extra time at the store to check every single board before buying them. Tips for buying and using rough lumber. When buying hardwoods you won t see lumber thickness marked in inches but instead the convention is to use a measurement in quarters.

Lumber grades might be a bit confusing if you re just starting out with purchasing hardwood lumber. Hardwood lumber domestic hardwood. An excellent selection of some of the most beautiful woods in the world. Board foot pricing allows a lumberyard to group several different dimensions say 2 by 4s 2 by 6s and 2 by 8s under one price.

Actual pricing will vary among distributors. Keep in mind that this thickness is taken down before any type of surfacing and drying is done. You will be able to see if the board curves or twists. The standard pre cut sizes allows carpenters and house framers to buy lumber without having to do as much cutting when they get it to the construction site.

Why are sizes random. It doesn t matter what your skills are we aim to provide friendly service and advice. Here are some pointers for how to buy lumber at a distributor or lumberyard. Prices are for rough lumber per 1000 bd ft in quantities of 1000 bd ft to 200 bd ft and are to be considered estimates only.

We re here 8 00 am to 5 00 pm monday through saturday. If it looks straight rotate the board 1 4 turn and look down the next side. For example a 1 inch thick board is typically written as 4 4. Scroll down to the faqs at bottom to learn more.

This story originally appeared in american woodworker magazine october 2001 issue 89. While the thickness and width is standard the length is not.