Lumber

Selecting the Right Type & Grade

Selecting the right type and grade of lumber for your job depends on familiarity with various wood properties and defects. There are several basic lumber distinctions.There are two general categories of lumber: hardwoods and softwoods. Hardwood lumber is made from deciduous trees, whereas softwood lumber is made from coniferous trees. Lumber grade is typically determined by the surface of the wood and the number of knots present.

 

Lumber Grades

 

Utility

The roughest grade, utility grade lumber is affordable and can be used for rough framing.

 

Standard (construction)

Standard lumber is strong but still rough, and can be used for general framing.

 

No. 3 Common

Knots in No. 3 Common lumber can be loose, and the surface of the wood is still marred, as with standard and utility grades.

 

No. 2 Common

No. 2 Common lumber has a much smoother surface with tighter knots. This type of lumber is a good choice for shelving.

 

Select or Select Structural

This kind of lumber is extremely high-quality, and is divided into grades 1-3 and A-D. Lower grades are distinguishable because they have more knots.

 

Clear

Clear lumber has a “clear” surface, meaning there are no knots.

 

Lumber Types

In addition to the grades discussed above, lumber is available in several pre-cut configurations for specific applications. (Note: All sizes given in feet.)

 

Furring

Furring lumber is used as trim in drywall and paneling applications, as well as for trim and edging. It is rough wood with small dimensions, so it can easily fit into smaller spaces. Furring lumber is available in sizes such as 1×2 and 1×3.

 

Finished Lumber

This type of wood, like furring, is appropriate for paneling and trim but can also be used for siding, decking, and furniture. The lumber is smooth and finished, giving it greater aesthetic appeal, and is available in a wider range of sizes: 1×4, 1×6, 1×8, 1×10, and 1×12.

 

Tongue and Groove

Tongue and groove lumber is designed to fit snuggly together—tongue planks fit into groove planks’ corresponding slots. Applications for this kind of lumber include paneling, siding, decorative treatments, and flooring and subflooring. Sizes include 1×4, 1×6, and 1×8.

 

Shiplap

Much like tongue and groove, shiplap is designed to fit together. The configuration, however, is different, with each plank featuring an edge that either fits under or on top of a neighboring plank’s edge. Sizes include 1×4, 1×6, and 1×8.

 

Glue Laminate

Achieved by layering dimensional lumber (flat) and laminating until they cohere into one functional piece, glue laminate is a common choice for rafters, beams, and joists. Sizes include 4×10, 4×12, 6×10, and 6×12.

 

Micro-laminate

Made in a similar fashion as glue laminate, micro-laminate consists of individual pieces of veneer joined together. Typical applications are also the same as for glue laminate. Standard micro-laminate size is 4×12.

 

Common Lumber Defects

When selecting lumber, there are several common defects to keep an eye out for, including twisting, bowing, cupping, crocking, and splitting. A twisted plank will feature a slightly raised or lowered end, with the appearance of a somewhat warped and twisted formation. Bowed lumber will slowly curve up from end to end, so each end appears slightly raised. Cupping is similar to bowing, only the wood curves length-wise, so that each long side appears slightly raised. A crocked plank will feature one end with a downward slant. A plank that suffers from splitting will have visible splits along the edges. Any of these above problems can lead to structural failure if used in an application, and should be checked for in advance.