What are actual lumber sizes?
Actual lumber sizes are pieces of lumber that are cut to standard sizes and refers to depth and width, but not length. Actual lumber is sawn, planed, and smoothed, and it’s generally made ready for many applications. It’s also the most common lumber for building as it’s ready to use and universally consistent in sizing.
How many cubic inches are in a board foot of wood?
One board foot is equal to 144 cubic inches of wood. In other words, a board that is 1 inch thick, and 12 inches wide and long contains one board foot of hardwood lumber. Additionally, hardwood may be sold in quarters.
How much does lumber board weigh?
Common construction lumber boards with the exact same dimensions but produced from different tree species may vary as much as 50% in weight, even with the same moisture content percentage. An air-dried 2×4 x 8-foot-long lumber board made out of Douglas Fir weighs about 10 pounds.
How long is an 8-foot 2-by-4?
The actual length of an 8 foot 2-by-4 is 8 feet. However, the actual thickness and width of a 2-by-4 is 1.5-by-3.5 inches. Not Sure How Much Lumber You Need?

How long is an 8 foot board?
Softwood Lumber LengthsLENGTH IN FEETLENGTH IN INCHESLENGTH IN METERS6 feet72 inches1.829 meters8 feet96 inches2.438 meters10 feet120 inches3.048 meters12 feet144 inches3.658 meters6 more rows•Oct 31, 2021
How long is a 2x8 piece of wood?
Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension LumberNominal SizeActual Size2 x 41 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (38 x 89 mm)2 x 61 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (38 x 140 mm)2 x 81 1/2 x 7 1/4 inches (38 x 184 mm)2 x 101 1/2 x 9 1/4 inches (38 x 235 mm)14 more rows•Mar 27, 2020
How long is a piece of lumber?
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 long is a standard 2x8?
Nominal vs. Actual2x LumberNominal SizeActual Size2x41-1/2 x 3-1/22x61-1/2 x 5-1/22x81-1/2 x 7-1/42 more rows
What is the longest 2x8 you can buy?
Based on different manufacturers' specifications, the maximum span a 2×8 LVL is from 12' to 15'. Spans are also affected by the species of wood used in the manufacture of the laminated joists, with western woods edging out eastern woods in unsupported span distance.
How much does a 2x8 cost?
2 x 8 Construction/Framing Lumber at MenardsEveryday Low Price$44.9911% Mail-In Rebate Good Through 5/30/22$4.95
How long is a 8 ft stud?
Wall studs for standard walls of 8 feet are 92 5/8 inches. In homes with 9-foot walls, the studs are 104 5/8 inches.
What is the most common lumber length?
These lengths range from 8 feet- 16 feet, or 18 feet – 20 feet. The most well-known lengths utilized in wall plating, window and entryway outlining and bracing range from 8 feet and 16 feet. Different lengths of 18 feet to 20 feet are seldom supplied and rarely used as they are utilized scarcely.
How long is a 2x4 wood?
Standard 2x4 length 2x4 studs are typically 8 feet long, to match the standard length of a sheet of plywood or drywall. You can also find 2x4 studs that are 92 ⅝" long, which allows builders to account for the thickness of the boards that run along the top and bottom of the wall.
What is the longest 2x6 you can buy?
longest span that 2×6 can cover It will be approximately 16×16. We are think of 4 posts and spanning it with 2x6s. On top of the 2×6 would be some 2×2 lathes to provide the shade.
What is the longest 2x10 you can buy?
DimensionsActual Product Length (ft.)20 ft1.5 inActual Product Width (in.)9.25 in2x10Nominal Product Length (ft.)20 ft2 inNominal Product Width (in.)10 in
What are the standard sizes of lumber?
Dimensional LumberNominal SizeActual Size2×121-1/2" × 11-1/4"4×43-1/2" × 3-1/2"4×63-1/2" × 5-1/2"6×65-1/2" × 5-1/2"13 more rows
What is dimension lumber?
Dimensional lumber: Lumber that is cut and sold at a specific width and depth. These are the 2x4s, 1x2s and the like that are sold at lumberyards and big box home improvement stores.
What is nominal lumber?
Nominal lumber refers to the name of the dimension. The nominal measurements are the board’s size before it has been planed smooth on all four sides. After it has been planed, smoothed and kiln dried, the board will come in at a slightly smaller size which is measured as the actual lumber size. For example, common measurements, like 2×4, are simply ...
What is the actual size of a 2x4?
In reality, a 2×4 actual size measures 1-1/2 inches by 3-1/2 inches.
Is hardwood lumber sold in quarters?
Hardwoods are rarely sold in standard dimensions, like softwoods, but are sold in board foot or in quarters. Softwood Lumber Dimensions: Softwood lumber is measured in a number of different standard sizes. There are so many different specifics to mention, but let’s stick to the basics for now. If all of this is still a little muddy, don’t worry! ...
What is Dimensional Lumber?
Dimensional lumber is simply lumber that is produced with standardized dimensions. Standard dimensions, such as “2 x 4″ or “2 x 6″, allow for a multitude of efficiencies in construction. Dimensional lumber is used for wall framing, rafters, and many other building components.
How Much Does Lumber Weigh?
The weight of lumber depends on the size of the board, the moisture content of the wood, and which tree species the lumber was made from.
About Our Lumber Weight Chart
The following table provides the approximate weight (dead load, self-weight) per linear foot of the various sizes of dimensional lumber (also called “structural lumber” or “finished lumber”) used in building construction in the US.
What is lumberyard in feet?
Lumberyards normally deal in board feet, particularly on large orders, but they work in linear feet equally well. Here’s a breakdown of each type of lumber measurement.
How thick is a 2 by 4?
As an example, a 2-by-4 is actually 1 1/2 inches thick by 3 1/2 inches wide. A 2-by-8 is actually 1 1/2 inches thick by 7 1/4 inches wide.
What is the best wood for a home?
There are several different kinds of wood available for various home projects. Here are a few of the most popular. Oak: Less expensive than some options. Graining often helps hide scratches and dents. Maple: Slightly harder than oak and lighter in color. Pine: Dents easily. Softer wood. Hickory: Much harder than oak.
What is a linear foot?
A linear foot describes a 12-inch long piece of lumber. For many homeowner projects, linear feet are the easiest way to calculate your needs. For instance, if building a deck out of 2-by-6 lumber, you would use your plans to first measure the total length of decking boards you need.
What is dimension lumber?
The term dimension lumber is used with softwood species (such as pine or fir) that are used in the building trades for framing and other carpentry uses. The reasons why the nominal dimension of this lumber (what the lumber is called) is larger than the actual dimensions involves historical practices in the lumber industry.
How many cubic inches is a board foot?
Instead, suppliers generally sell hardwoods in a unit of volume known as the board foot. One board foot is equal to 144 cubic inches of wood. In other words, a board that is 1 inch thick, and 12 inches wide and long contains one board foot of hardwood lumber.
How thick is 5/4 board?
Each quarter refers to 1/4 inch of thickness, meaning that a 5/4 board is roughly 1 1/4 inches thick. If your project calls for a piece that is exactly 1 inch thick, you'll want to purchase a 5/4 board and mill it down to the proper size using a jointer/planer.
How big is a 5 1/2 x 5 12 inch board?
5 1/2 x 5 12 inches (140 x 140 mm) Shrinkage is more pronounced laterally (across the grain) than it is longitudinally (with the grain), so a board sold as an 8-foot 2 x 4 is generally very close to the full 8 feet in length.
What is the grade of plywood?
Plywood is graded so that each face receives a grade of A, B, C, or D , with A representing the smoothest sanded finish. For example, AA plywood has a furniture-grade finish on both sides, while BC plywood will be graded B on one side and C on the other. Read More.
What type of wood is used for furniture?
Wood used for furniture and for appearance is often of a hardwood (or Pine) variety. A few examples of these are shown in the picture above. Whitewood Lumber. The most common species of dimensional building lumber (e.g. for framing a wall) is usually one of the following softwoods (also called whitewoods): Douglas-fir.
What is kiln dried lumber?
Most building lumber sold at home stores is kiln dried to some extent. This means that it has to have a moisture content below 19%. This is denoted by a KD-19 tag. KD-19 (Kiln Dried 19%) lumber will have an average moisture content somewhere around 15%.
What is SPF wood?
Spruce-pine-fir (SPF), which can either be subalpine fir, balsam fir, black spruce, Engelmann spruce, jack pine, lodgepole pine, red spruce, or white spruce. You can usually find the species of wood by looking on the tag stapled to one of the ends.
What is the difference between a Douglas Fir and a Hem Fir?
Douglas-fir-larch, which can either be Douglas-fir or western larch. Hem-fir, which can either be western hemlock, California red fir, grand fir, noble fir, Pacific silver fir, or white fir. Southern Yellow Pine (SYP), which can either be loblolly, longleaf, shortleaf, or slash pine.
Is treated wood good for seasoning?
It’s also great to test firewood for proper seasoning. Finally, be sure to take note that fresh, treated wood will probably have a higher moisture content (35%-75%). This is due to the fact that water is used to impregnate the chemicals into the wood at the factory.
