With the different types of wood and sizes available, purchasing lumber can be challenging for those preparing for a DIY project. How do you know which type of wood is the best option for your project? Does the type of lumber you choose matter? How much lumber do you need?
As a full-service lumber yard, Jaeger Lumber is pleased to offer clients throughout New Jersey a wide assortment of building materials, including wood. Here, we offer a beginner’s guide to purchasing lumber and what you should know ahead of time.
The Different Types of Lumber
When browsing the selection at a lumber yard, you’ll most likely notice the many types of wood available. Picking the right type of wood is important as some are better suited for certain applications than others. The types of wood you might come across include:
Engineered Lumber
Used to categorize an entire class of building materials, engineered lumber is a manufactured product that’s created by binding pieces of real wood, scrap wood, shredded wood fibers, and/or sawdust with adhesives. It’s mainly used for construction applications.
Cedar
Known for its resistance to rot and insects, cedar is a common type of lumber used in a variety of outdoor projects, such as deck and fence building.
Douglas Fir Framing
With superior strength, Douglas fir framing lumber is ideal for structural applications and is commonly used in residential, light commercial, multi-story, and industrial construction.
Hardwood Lumber
Hardwood lumber describes an assortment of wood species, including cherry, maple, red oak, walnut, white oak, and Sapele. Hardwood is used for numerous applications both inside and outside.
Meranti Lumber
Consisting of multiple subspecies, Meranti lumber is very flexible, making it an ideal choice for many residential applications.
Poplar Lumber
Although technically considered a hardwood, poplar lumber is one of the softest commercially used woods available. It’s used to create furniture and cabinets among other products.
Spruce and Pine
Spruce and pine are considered structural lumber given their strength and integrity.
Treated Lumber
Treated lumber refers to wood that’s been treated with preservative chemicals to prolong its lifecycle and usefulness.
Understanding Actual Size vs. Nominal Size
When it comes to woodworking projects, getting the right measurements of the lumber is crucial. Before you purchase lumber, it’s important to understand the difference between actual and nominal sizes.
- Actual size: The dimensions of the lumber after it has been planed and sanded down.
- Nominal size: The measurement of lumber before it undergoes the planer and sanding process.
To make certain you’re always getting the most accurate measurements of the lumber you purchase, it might be a good idea to bring a tape measure to the lumber yard and measure it yourself.
How to Inspect Lumber
It’s important to note that finding the perfect piece of wood in a lumber yard is rare. In most cases, lumber displays noticeable imperfections, such as knots, cracks, dents, and splints. You will want to select the lumber with the least amount of defects. The more imperfections a piece of lumber has, the more time you will need to spend prepping it.
Visit Our Lumber Yard to Learn More
Anyone in NJ wishing to complete woodworking projects but unsure where to begin should turn to the experienced team at Jaeger Lumber. The knowledgeable and friendly staff is happy to help customers and answer any questions they might have. Team members will go over what types of lumber we have available in our inventory and recommend options based on your applications and needs. For more information, contact us today Jaeger Lumber.
