Actual Measurements Of Hardwood Lumber

A piece of 1 x 4 pine for example actually measures 3 4 inch thick and 3 1 2 inch wide while a 2 x 4 framing stud is actually about.

Actual measurements of hardwood lumber. Hardwood lumber is sized based on how many sides are surfaced. If i sell hardwood lumber to a customer i measure the piece and sell it to him based on the actual size of the piece. Miscellaneous engineering related topics like beaufort wind scale ce marking drawing standards and more. 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.

If your project calls for precise measurements be sure to check your lumber before purchasing. Glue laminated timber dimensions typical sizes of glue laminated timber. Here s a stack of 4 4 lumber. The actual measurements are the final size.

But out here in the real world the rough saw lumber world a 2x4 is 2 x4. Voluntary product standard ps 20 05 american softwood lumber standard. Something doesn t quite match up. Density of various wood species density of various wood species apple ash cedar elm and more.

Dimension lumber can be purchased as dry or. 2x4s are not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. Here are the common sizes of lumber and their actual sizes. Board feet chart and calculator board feet volume measurement of lumber.

Lumber sizes are usually given in nominal measurements. All data is in imperial units inches. If you can stop someone in the store to help explain the inconsistency they ll start throwing around a few words like nominal sizes and actual sizes and softwood lumber and hardwood lumber. When the board is first rough sawn from the log it is a true 2x4 but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 1 5x3 5 size.

The nominal measurements are a board s size before it has been planed smooth surfaced on all 4 sides. There are no standard sizes other than in thickness. The national hardwood lumber association defines the uniform system of grading rules for the measurement and inspection of hardwood lumber. And a 6x6 is 6 x6 period.

Mechanical tolerance variations of lumber. Measure the actual width and thickness of a pine board like a 2x4 and then look at the sign above the rack. Surfaced refers to a finishing process that smooths the lumber to remove all saw marks. Be it 1 1 8 thick x 7 1 4 wide by 8.

If you or any customer comes to my mill yard and asks for 2x4s that s what they get. The following data is standard reference and size data for commercially available lumber within the usa. This book contains all the rules. Shop our selection of hardwood lumber available in a variety of species and sizes for your next woodworking project.