Dimensional lumber measurements

To the novice do it yourselfer softwood lumber sizes can be hard to understand. The first dimensions are its nominal ones, the second measurements are its actual or minimum dressed sizes. The reason for the differences is dimensional lumber measurements lumber sizes are traditionally given in their nominal size. This is a well-established industry practice.

To the novice do it yourselfer softwood lumber sizes can be hard to understand. 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. Why are the nominal dimensions of lumber larger than the actual dimensions? The actual measurements are the final dried and surfaced size.

Dimensional lumber measurements

Dimensional lumber is cut to a specific length, width, and depth. However, there is a difference between the nominal size what the lumber is referred to and the actual size. The tables below provide both the nominal and actual lumber dimensions for many common North American lumber sizes. Softwood lumber is generally used for framing walls and floors. Softwood lumber comes in a number of standard lengths as listed in the table below. According to NIST Publication P20 , actual lengths must be at least equal to the nominal length, but can be up to 3" longer than the nominal length. Hardwood lumber is sized based on how many sides are surfaced. Surfaced refers to a finishing process that smooths the lumber to remove all saw marks. In North America, hardwood lumber is usually specified using the quarter system, where a board is identified by its thickness in quarters of an inch. Hardwood board widths vary.

Suite W Melville, NY info sherwoodlumber, dimensional lumber measurements. Nominal sizes harken back to the original rough green lumber sizes, the actual sizes are the size of the board after the rough dimensional lumber measurements lumber has been dried and surfaced smooth on all four sides. They also brought a few hardware and building supply chains for false advertising by selling lumber that they maintained, was undersized.

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In fact, most building materials are sold by nominal, rather than actual, sizes for a variety of reasons. Wood and lumber are no different, and for most dimensional lumber, you will find that the material is sold and listed by its nominal size, rather than its actual size. Most softwood lumber sold at the lumber yard or home improvement store is dimensional lumber, such as pine or Douglas fir. Dimensional lumber is lumber that has been dried and milled to standard dimensions and is most commonly used for framing and construction. Dimensional lumber is sold using what is referred to as the nominal dimensions of a board.

Dimensional lumber measurements

Confusing, right?! I totally agree but there is a good explanation to this madness. The nominal dimensions are the size of the board before it is ran through the planer, squared to size and kiln dried. That is why the actual size is always smaller than the nominal lumber size we have known to call them.

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Softwood Dimension Lumber Sizes Dimension lumber is lumber cut and finished S4S, surfaced four sides and is available in standardized sizes. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Nominal sizes harken back to the original rough green lumber sizes. A few years ago consumer groups brought several lawsuits against some of the big box stores and a few hardware and building supply chains for false advertising by selling lumber that they maintained, was undersized. The courts eventually found that lumber sizes are appropriately described in nomina l inches in the US, or in millimeters in other countries. This is common knowledge for the experienced lumber user and is the result of the fact that wider lumber is reduced more in width than the narrow lumber during drying. Close Search. Sherwood February 28, Nominal sizes harken back to the original rough green lumber sizes, the actual sizes are the size of the board after the rough green lumber has been dried and surfaced smooth on all four sides. In most places, you should see both the nominal and actual dimensions on the label or other sign at the point of sales.

Dimensional lumber is cut to a specific length, width, and depth. However, there is a difference between the nominal size what the lumber is referred to and the actual size.

However, there is a difference between the nominal size what the lumber is referred to and the actual size. In most places, you should see both the nominal and actual dimensions on the label or other sign at the point of sales. Blog Writer February 8, These are the ones we have on our shelf. Technically, you can define dimension lumber as sawed softwood lumber from 2 to 5 inches 5 to Sherwood February 28, The first dimensions are its nominal ones, the second measurements are its actual or minimum dressed sizes. The length of dimension lumber can range from 6 to 24 feet. Close Search. Why are the nominal dimensions of lumber larger than the actual dimensions?