
What are the actual dimensions of a 2x4x8. Some people get a little maniacal about nominal vs. Measure the actual width and thickness of a pine board like a 2x4 and then look at the sign above the rack. Something doesnt quite match up. Hardwood lumber is sized based on how many sides are surfaced.
2x4x8 means 8 to the lumberyards around here not 92 58. 2x4s are not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. Those are its nominal dimensions. This table shows the nominal and actual measurements of many standard sizes of lumber.
212 lumber real dimensions lumber dimensions. If you guys are arguing over this certainly dont pick up a product sheet from one of the fiberglass insulation manufacturers. Of course everyone knows that a stud size batt is 94 from one co and 93 from. Steel stud size which is 16 but then again 16 designed for a ceiling application is really 16 unless you spec.
A two by six board you purchase at a home improvement center doesnt measure 2 inches thick and 6 inches wide. According to the american wood council the national institute of standards and technology permits stores to label lumber with nominal dimensions as long as the label or other sign clearly states that the size given is a nominal size and also states the actual or minimum. When actual dimensions of 212 lumber originally a 2 x 4 was cut as a rough green board that was actual size of a 2x4x8 2x4x8 means 8 to the lumberyards around here not 44 lumber dimensions lumber sizes and. When is a 2x4x8 not a 2x4x8.
This handy chart will help you translate the nominal into the actual dry. Once planed the wood is considered finished thus the nominal size of the lumber you purchase is different from the actual size. But these sizes are not the actual 13 dimensions 24 dimensions 26 dimensions 28 dimensions and 44 dimensions of the wood. This convention dates back to the 18th century when millers realized the effects of wood shrinkage and saw blade thickness on size measurements.
16 batts are really 15 unless you spec. Surfaced refers to a finishing process that smooths the lumber to remove all saw marks. Actual dimensions and wonder if its even legal. In north america hardwood lumber is usually specified using the quarter system where a board is identified by its thickness in quarters of an inch.
The chart below shows the actual dimensions of lumber when it is dry when wet it will be slightly larger. Its actual dimensions are smaller. When the board is first rough sawn from the log it is a true 2x4 but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 15x35 size. The lumber is generally sold in lengths of 6 8 10 12 and 16.
If you can stop someone in the store to help explain the inconsistency theyll start throwing around a few words like nominal sizes and actual sizes and softwood lumber and hardwood lumber.