What sizes does wood come in?

In Canada and the United States, the standard lengths of lumber are 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 feet (1.8, 2.4, 3.0, 3.7, 4.3, 4.9, 5.5, 6.1, 6.7 and 7.3 m). For wall framing, precut “stud” lengths are available, and are commonly used.

How do you read lumber sizes?

Lumber sized according to “Quarters” reflects the number of quarters of an inch thick the lumber is. To figure the thickness of a board referenced in “quarters” sizes, simply divide the second number (4) into the first number. The second number (4) means “quarters of an inch”, or “quarters”.

Why is a 2 by 4 smaller?

“Dimensional” lumber is the general name for framing lumber. Now, most timber is milled and planed to give it a little more of a finished look, and a little more of a consistent size and profile. Because of this extra milling, a 2×4 no longer measures a full 2 inches by four inches.

What is a 2×10 board?

2x Board Sizes 2×4 and 2×6 boards lose 1/2 inch in thickness and 1/2 inch in width before leaving the mill. That means a 2 x 4 board is actually 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches. The larger 2x boards (2×8, 2×10, etc.) That means a 2×10 is actually 1 1/2 inch in thickness by 9 1/4 inches.

Why are lumber sizes wrong?

The “nominal” cross-section dimensions of a piece of lumber, such as 2 X 4 or 1 X 6, are always somewhat larger than the actual, or dressed, dimensions. The reason is that dressed lumber has been surfaced or planed smooth on four sides (called S4S). The nominal measurement is made before the lumber is surfaced.

What size is a 2×4 Really?

A piece of surfaced (sanded smooth) 2×4 lumber actually measures 1½ inches thick and 3½ inches wide. In rough-cut condition, a 2×4 is slightly less than 2 inches thick and approximately 4 inches wide. When wood is milled from a rough to a smooth surface, it loses about ¼-inch from each of its four sides.

What is the average cost of a 2×4?

Lumber Prices

How big is a 2×10 actually?

Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber

How long can you get a 2×10?

Douglas fir 2-by-10 joists graded as “Structural Select” allows joist spans up to 21 feet for a live load of 30 pounds per square foot when spaced 12 inches apart, 19 feet 1 inch for 16 inch spacing and 16 feet 8 inches for 24 inch spacing.

Why is lumber 1/2 inch smaller?

Through the drying process, the boards naturally shrink, as moisture leaves the beams. Without the rough edges, what went in as a 2-by-4 planks of rough-sawn wood is now a tongue-tripping 1.5-by-3.5, having lost approximately ¼-inch on all sides to the planer and drying processes.

What size is 2 by 1 timber?

Machined from Sawfalling Scandinavian Whitewood Boards to approx size: 44mm x 18mm; Generally cut from FSC or PEFC Certified Softwood Pine. 2×1 Planed Softwood is ideal to use as edging, battening, framing and for timber stud-work.

How big is a standard piece of softwood lumber?

Softwood Lumber Dimensions North American Standard 1-by Lumber North American Standard 2-by Lumber North American Standard 3-by Lumber North American Standard 4-by Lumber North American Standard 6-by Lumber North American Standard 8-by Lumber

How big is a 5 / 4 piece of wood?

For instance, hardwood trim that ends up being just over 1″ thick (surfaced on 2 sides) is called a five-quarter (5/4) board. Hardwood board widths vary. In most cases, hardwood boards come in random widths to be ripped to size by the woodworker.

How big is two by four lumber board?

For example, a board that starts out as a “two-by-four” (nominal size) will end up as a 1-½ by 3-½ (actual size) after it is dried and milled. For larger projects, nails are bought by weight.

How big is 2 by lumber in inches?

North American Standard 2-by Lumber Nominal Size (inches) Actual Size (inches) Actual Size (mm) 2 x 6 1 1/2 x 5 1/2 38 x 140 2 x 8 1 1/2 x 7 1/4 38 x 184 2 x 10 1 1/2 x 9 1/4 38 x 235 2 x 12 1 1/2 x 11 1/4 38 x 286