Tips For Buying Hardwood Lumber

An excellent selection of some of the most beautiful woods in the world.

Tips for buying hardwood lumber.

A wide variety of domestic hardwoods in various thicknesses and price ranges. 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. 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. 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.

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. Follow the regional links below for distribution yard kiln dried hardwood lumber pricing in the continental united states. Tips for buying and using rough lumber. Lumber grades might be a bit confusing if you re just starting out with purchasing hardwood lumber.

Keep in mind that this thickness is taken down before any type of surfacing and drying is done. Rough lumber thicknesses are measured in 1 4 in. To check a board for straight hold it up to your nose and look down the length of the board. When buying hardwoods you won t see lumber thickness marked in inches but instead the convention is to use a measurement in quarters.

If you visit us in person you simply pick out the boards that you think will work the best for you. For example a 1 inch thick board is typically written as 4 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. This story originally appeared in american woodworker magazine october 2001 issue 89.

Scroll down to the faqs at bottom to learn more. 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. If it looks straight rotate the board 1 4 turn and look down the next side. If you don t see a thickness you want give us a call 1 877 232 3915 we can mill exactly what you need.

Why are sizes random. Actual pricing will vary among distributors. While the thickness and width is standard the length is not. You can have a 2 4 that s six eight or even ten feet long.

It s still a 2 4. Always take the extra time at the store to check every single board before buying them. Hardwood lumber domestic hardwood. You will be able to see if the board curves or twists.

Here are some pointers for how to buy lumber at a distributor or lumberyard. Woodworkers source started in 1978 to provide the finest hardwood lumber to all types of woodworkers from beginners getting started with the craft to long time professionals.