When did the lumber size standard change?
01/02/2022 · 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).
What is the difference between nominal and actual size of lumber?
25/06/2020 · Early concepts called for rough lumber to be of full nominal size, often in the dry condition. After World War I, the increasing demand for construction lumber led to the first national size standard in 1924. This was revised in 1926, 1928, 1939, and 1953, while still another revision is proposed for adoption in 1964.
What is the history of rough lumber size?
4.9/5 (89 Views . 9 Votes) Early concepts called for rough lumber to be of full nominal size, often in the dry condition. After World War I, the increasing demand for construction lumber led to the first national size standard in 1924. This was revised in 1926, 1928, 1939, and 1953, while still another revision is proposed for adoption in 1964.
What is the length of dimension lumber?
Lumber size standards came into being almost a century ago to meet the need for a common understanding between the mill and markets that were separated by increasing distances of rail or water transportation. Early concepts called for rough lumber to be of full nominal size, often in the dry condition. After World War I, the increasing demand for construction lumber led to the …
When did they stop using true 2x4?
This pressured further compromise because thinner 2x4s were a way to compete in price with wood alternatives. Size standards, maximum moisture content, and nomenclature were agreed upon only as recently as 1964. The nominal 2x4 thus became the actual 1½ x 3½, imperceptibly, a fraction of an inch at a time.
Why is dimensional lumber not actual size?
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.
Why is a 2x4 not actually 2x4?
DIMENSIONAL LUMBER: In the past, when a timber was called a 2x4 [or "two-by-four"], it actually measured 2 inches by 4 inches. ... Because of this extra milling, a 2x4 no longer measures a full 2 inches by four inches. Instead, a 2x4 is really only 1 1/2" by 3 1/2".
Why is a 2x4 only 1.5x3 5?
The 2x4 refers to the rough-cut green wood: it shrinks during drying, then the dried wood is planed smooth, so the finished lumber is supposed to end up at 1.5"x3. 5". While it doesn't really shrink that much, the mills get more usable finished 2x4's from a given tree if they cut them slightly smaller to begin with.
When did dimensional lumber change size?
After World War I, the increasing demand for construction lumber led to the first national size standard in 1924. This was revised in 1926, 1928, 1939, and 1953, while still another revision is proposed for adoption in 1964.
What is the difference between nominal and rough lumber?
Rough sawn lumber has a very rustic appearance, which is a desirable look for some projects. ... After it is planed, the piece of lumber no longer has its nominal dimensions, for it has been reduced in size. It is stilled referred to by its nominal size, such as the 2×4, but its actual size is now 1 1/2” by 3 1/2″.28-Sept-2009
Why is lumber smaller than the size it says?
Typically, that rough cut is smaller than the nominal dimensions because modern technology makes it possible to use the logs more efficiently. For example, a "2×4" board historically started out as a green, rough board actually 2 by 4 inches (51 mm × 102 mm).
What do they call a 2x4 in Europe?
I cant speak for the hole of europe, but at least in Norway a "2x4" is 48x98 mm. If you go to a lumberyard, you buy 48x98 as everything is measured in metric, but in the daily speach most people still use the term 2x4, 2x8 aso. The Inch measurement is in use as long as we speak about size on TV(40") and cartyres (15").25-Jun-2007
Why is lumber a half inch short?
The simple reason why 2×4 is not 2 inches by 4 inches is that lumber mills trim off rough or warped surfaces of a 2×4 to give it a more polished and finished look. By planning the lumber on all four sides, the original 2×4 is now reduced to 1 ½ inches by 3 1/2 inches.21-Mar-2020
What is the longest 2x8 you can buy?
In general, a 2×8 will span 1.5 x 8, so 12-feet. Based on all factors though, a 2×8 joist span is 7'-1” to 16'-6”, and a rafter 6'-7” and 23'-9”.
What is the meaning of two by four?
Meaning of two-by-four in English a standard size of finished wood used for building that measures slightly less than two inches wide and four inches deep and can be cut to various lengths, or wood of this size: You'll need four eight-foot two-by-fours to frame out that wall.6 days ago
What is the true size of a 2x6?
Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension LumberNominal SizeActual Size2 x 31 1/2 x 2 1/2 inches (38 x 64 mm)2 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)14 more rows•27-Mar-2020
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.
Is the nominal measurement the same as the actual measurement?
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.
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.
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.
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.
What is the difference between the first and second dimensions of lumber?
The first dimensions are its nominal ones, the second measurements are its actual or minimum dressed sizes. The reason for the differences is because lumber sizes are traditionally given in their nominal size. This is a well-established industry practice.
How thick is a 2x4?
However, after drying and surfacing, the boards became smaller, approaching the now standard 2×4 dimensions of 1 ½ x 3 ½ inches. Green southern pine lumber shrinks in width and thickness as it dries. Surfacing removes up to an additional ¼ ...
Is there a new requirement for lumber size labels?
However, there was one change that the courts mandated. The size labels now have a new requirement. According to the American Wood Council, the National Institute of Standards and Technology permits stores to label lumber with nominal dimensions.
What is dimension lumber?
Dimension lumber is lumber cut and finished S4S, (surfaced four sides) and is available in standardized sizes. Framing of buildings commonly uses the construction lumber and that is where the name framing or Dimensional lumber comes from.
How thick is a piece of lumber?
Technically, you can define dimension lumber as sawed softwood lumber from 2 to 5 inches (5 to 12.7 centimeters) thick and from 4 to 12 inches (10.2 to 30.5 centimeters) wide. The length of dimension lumber can range from 6 to 24 feet. The Nominal and standard sizes of lumber can be found in the Voluntary Product Standard PS 20-20 American Softwood ...
What is the width of 2x6 lumber?
The most commonly available dimension lumber sizes are 2×4 through 2×12. The 2×4’s and 2×6’s are ½” less than nominal in width and the 2×8, 2×10’s and 2×12’s are ¾ of an inch less than nominal.
What is nominal size?
Nominal sizes harken back to the original rough green lumber sizes. The actual sizes are sizes after drying and surfacing the rough green lumber on all four sides. The nominal size is the standard terminology and is applicable when for buying, selling, and specifying softwood lumber.
How to calculate board feet?
A board foot is 144 cubic inches. A board that is 1 inch thick and 12 inches wide equals 1 board foot. To figure a board foot use the following formula: 1 Length x width x depth = cubic inches 2 Divide that answer by 144 in 3 3 The answer will be the board foot of your piece of wood.
Why is 2x4 wood called 2x4?
Ultimately, the reason reason wood varies from the advertised size is due to the shrinking that occurs during the drying process.
What is a cant in wood?
Originally, when trees were cut for lumber, they were cut into cants, A cant is the largest possible chunk you can cut out of a tree. The cants were then cut into straight planks that measured 2”x4”, or 1”x4”, or whatever size was needed. These planks were rough-sawn, left in their natural state after being cut into lumber, and set out to air dry. Wood that is air dried can still contain up to 20% of its moisture which makes it retain its original, or very close to its original 2×4 inch size, therefore referring to the lumber by its size was easy, direct and for the most part accurate… and a 2×4 was pretty much a 2×4.
How much moisture does air dried wood retain?
Wood that is air dried can still contain up to 20% of its moisture which makes it retain its original, or very close to its original 2×4 inch size, therefore referring to the lumber by its size was easy, direct and for the most part accurate… and a 2×4 was pretty much a 2×4.
Is it bad to buy lumber from a sawmill?
There’s a few things you need to know before arriving at a mill. Though it can seem intimidating at first, it’s really not bad.
Why is kiln drying wood so slow?
The process of air drying the wood was slow and not overly effective since wood is hygroscopic, meaning that the wood absorbs the moisture from the air around it. This led to kiln drying the lumber in order to speed up the drying time.
How to figure board foot?
A board that is 1 inch thick and 12 inches wide equals 1 board foot. To figure a board foot use the following formula: Length x width x depth = cubic inches. Divide that answer by 144 in 3. The answer will be the board foot of your piece of wood.
