You are embarking on a new house project and need to go shopping for lumber, but with so many options out there, it is hard to know where to begin. You can find details in any woodworking book for beginners, but you might get overwhelmed by the variety of wood you can use for different projects. For starters, there is hardwood and softwood, treated and untreated wood, cedar and spruce, and different lengths and widths to make every woodworkers dreams come true. However, choosing the wrong wood for your project could mean the difference between wood warping and wood lasting a decade or more. Choosing the right wood could also save you money if your project can be done as well with a less expensive wood as a top of the line wood. Below we will define for you terminology you are likely to come across when shopping for lumber and when in doubt, visit a local lumber company, such as the experts at Lyndhurst Lumber, to guide you in the right direction.
Hardwood versus Softwood
Hardwood trees are the kinds of trees that lose their leaves every year, or are considered deciduous. Hardwood trees grow much slower than softwood trees, so their lumber is much more dense and stronger. Wood that is more dense is best used for making furniture and building structures, while less dense wood is more applicable in woodworking projects. Hardwoods also have more intricate grain patterns. Grains are considered when we talk about the aesthetic beauty of a project and its strength. Tight grains are stronger than loose grains. In decorative projects, you may want to opt for hardwoods whose grains will add character. Softwoods are coniferous trees and have small grains that are not very noticeable in the final project. Softwoods are good for framing and outdoor projects and range from cedar and fir to spruce and pine.
Treated versus Untreated
Treated lumber is desirable for outdoor projects because it has a preservative forced into it to protect it against rot and insect damage. Use pressure treated lumber for projects that contact the ground or where insects are problematic. Do not use pressure-treated lumber where food or children will come into close contact with it. If you want to use rot and insect resistant wood, but do not want to use treated wood, some woods are naturally resistant, like redwood and red cedar. You also have the option of buying untreated wood and applying a plain oil-based exterior paint to it.
Lumber Sizes
For framing projects, use lumber that is 2×4. 2×4 is the most common pieces of lumber you will use for house projects, but 1×3 lumber is used in installing stripping for residential metal roofing projects. What’s more, wood comes in more dimensions than “2 bys” and “1 bys.” Depending on your project, you may need plywood or Medium Density Fiberboard (or MDF). With a litle research or call to you lumber company, your woodworking project is off to a good start.
