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Lumber

1-8. Lumber

Sizes of softwood or building construction lumber are standardized for convenience in ordering and handling.

a. Lumber is sawn in standard (nominal) sizes:

Length: 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, and 20 feet.
Width: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 inches.
Thickness: 1, 2, and 4 inches.

The actual width and thickness of dressed lumber are less than the sawn dimensions because of drying and planing (or finishing). For the relative difference between sawn (rough or nominal) dimensions, and actual sizes of construction lumber, see Table 1-6.

b. Plywood is usually 4 feet by 8 feet and varies in thickness from 1/8 to 1 inch.

c. Stock panels are usually 48 inches wide; lengths vary in multiples of 16 inches (up to 8 feet) because the accepted spacing for studs and joists is 16 inches.

Table 1-6. Nominal and dressed sizes of lumber

Curriculum design: David L. Heiserman
Publisher: SweetHaven Publishing Services