Blog
Guides on measuring, pricing, and buying lumber.
- What the Markings on Treated Lumber Mean
How to read the end tag and stamp on pressure-treated lumber: the retention number, the exposure rating, the preservative code, and the incising marks. A plain guide to knowing what treated wood is rated for before you build.
- How to Convert Board Feet to Linear Feet
Board feet measure volume, linear feet measure length. Here is the formula to convert between them, a worked example, a quick chart, and why the board width matters.
- Softwood Lumber Grades and the Grade Stamp Explained
All three lumber grade systems in one place, plus what the stamp on a 2x4 means. Structural grades from Select Structural to No. 3, how studs are graded, appearance board grades, and how grade affects strength and price.
- How Much Does a Board Foot of Lumber Weigh?
A board foot of dry softwood weighs roughly 2 to 2.5 pounds, hardwood 3 to 4. Here is the formula, why moisture changes everything, and a species weight chart.
- How to Estimate Board Feet in a Log Before You Mill It
Measure a log, pick a log rule, and estimate the board feet inside before the first cut. A plain guide to Doyle, Scribner, and International scaling with the numbers that matter.
- Hardwood Lumber Grades Explained: FAS, Select, and Common
What FAS, Select, and Common grades actually mean, how graders measure a board, and which grade to buy so you stop paying for wood you cut off and throw away.
- How Many Board Feet Are in a 2x4?
A 2x4x8 is 5.33 board feet. Here is the formula, a length chart for 8 to 16 ft studs, nominal vs actual sizing, and how to total a framing order.
- Doyle vs Scribner vs International: Which Log Rule Should You Use?
Doyle, Scribner, and International log rules give three board foot totals for the same log. Here is how each one is biased and which to trust.
- How to Estimate Lumber Cost for a Woodworking Project
Estimate lumber cost the right way: build a cut list, convert parts to board feet, add a waste factor, and multiply by price per board foot.
- Hardwood Prices per Board Foot: What to Expect
Hardwood sells by the board foot. Species, grade, thickness, and figure all move the price. Planning ranges for common woods, plus how to budget.
- Nominal vs Actual Lumber Sizes, Explained
A 2x4 is really 1.5 by 3.5 inches. Actual lumber sizes for every common board from 1x2 to 6x6, in decimals, fractions, and mm, plus why board feet still use nominal.