Every project begins with choosing your materials, and it’s important to get this step right. The best lumber for outdoor projects, for example, may not be the ideal material for high-end custom furniture. Choosing the wrong product may result in an inferior build. Here, Jaeger Lumber breaks down the types of projects you might tackle and what to consider when buying your lumber.

Factors To Consider

When choosing lumber for your project, there are a handful of factors to consider: the type, the grade, and the aesthetic. Start by breaking down your project demands. Will it need to support heavy loads? Does it need to be visually appealing? How much material do you need, and how much are you able to invest? Once you understand your project goals, consider your requirements for each of the following:

Type

When it comes to raw wood, hardwoods like oak, walnut, and exotics are the most durable – but also the most expensive. Softwoods like cedar and pine are weaker, but more cost-effective. Softwoods may be pressure-treated for extra strength. 

If you’re looking for manufactured lumber, plywood is a popular sheet good made with layers in alternating fiber orientations for high warp resistance. Composite wood, meanwhile, blends wood fibers and waste plastics for a lightweight but exceptionally resistant product.

Grade

Lumber comes in multiple grades: common and select. Common-grade lumber has visible knots and blemishes. Meanwhile, select grade has minimal flaws. This makes select grade best when aesthetics is a priority. Plywood follows a similar grading scheme, with Grade A featuring the fewest imperfections in the veneer. Quality decreases through B and C down to the lowest grade, D.

Grain

For polished projects, you should also pay attention to the grain. Open-grain wood, including cypress and oak, features larger pores that give finished projects a rugged look with plenty of character. Closed-grain wood, on the other hand, has a finer texture for a smooth finish. It also requires fewer coats of paint. Consider whether you want natural wood or high-grade plywood.

Best Lumber for Outdoor Projects

Outdoor construction imposes additional considerations. These projects must withstand constant exposure to the elements, including rain, wind, debris, and freezing conditions. If you want your handiwork to last, you’ll need water- and weather-resistant outdoor lumber to withstand the harsher environment. Here are our recommendations:

  • Natural wood: Red cedar and cypress are excellent softwoods for outdoor use due to their natural pest resistance and their attractive appearance. If building outdoor furniture, black locust is an incredibly sturdy hardwood selection.
  • Pressure-treated wood: This is made by placing a soft wood, often pine, into a high-pressure chamber. The fibers are compressed and hardened, making them super-tough and relatively resistant to moisture, erosion, and rot.
  • Composite wood: This is a blend of recycled wood fibers and plastic. The result delivers lightweight strength alongside exceptional mold and rot resistance. The plastic may be dyed, and the surface textured, for a wide array of customization options.
  • CDX plywood: This grade of plywood is made using the most inexpensive grades. Though some may consider it less attractive than other options, CDX plywood is treated against moisture, making it more resilient when used in outdoor construction.

These options can cover nearly any outdoor construction. Decking, for instance, benefits from the smooth and attractive finish of composite plywood. Pressure-treated wood may be best for support structures, while CDX plywood forms a durable underlay for your gazebo roof.

Shop Building Materials Today

If you need wood supplies for your next project, look no further than Jaeger Lumber. We serve across the state of New Jersey with high-quality construction materials and supplies. We also hire experienced staff who can help you select the best lumber for outdoor projects and other applications. Contact us today for more building advice or to ask questions about our stock.