Tips For Buying Hardwood Lumber

Follow the regional links below for distribution yard kiln dried hardwood lumber pricing in the continental united states.

Tips for buying hardwood lumber.

While the thickness and width is standard the length is not. We re here 8 00 am to 5 00 pm monday through saturday. When buying hardwoods you won t see lumber thickness marked in inches but instead the convention is to use a measurement in quarters. Always take the extra time at the store to check every single board before buying them.

The thinnest rough cut boards labeled 4 4 and called four quarter are 1 in. A wide variety of domestic hardwoods in various thicknesses and price ranges. To check a board for straight hold it up to your nose and look down the length of the board. Here are some pointers for how to buy lumber at a distributor or lumberyard.

Actual pricing will vary among distributors. 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. 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. 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. Lumber grades might be a bit confusing if you re just starting out with purchasing hardwood lumber. If it looks straight rotate the board 1 4 turn and look down the next side. An excellent selection of some of the most beautiful woods in the world.

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. You will be able to see if the board curves or twists. Scroll down to the faqs at bottom to learn more. 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.

This story originally appeared in american woodworker magazine october 2001 issue 89. Why are sizes random. It doesn t matter what your skills are we aim to provide friendly service and advice. 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.

It s still a 2 4. If you re ordering online you can request minimum widths or lengths so that the lumber you buy is larger than your required minimum sizes. Hardwood lumber domestic hardwood. For example a 1 inch thick board is typically written as 4 4.

Rough lumber thicknesses are measured in 1 4 in. If you don t see a thickness you want give us a call 1 877 232 3915 we can mill exactly what you need.