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How to buy the best home-center lumber

How to Buy the Best

Home-Center Lumber

Most DIYers shop for lumber at the home center, but with so many choices in

multiple aisles, how do you know what boards to choose? Here’s an overview

of the boards you can get, plus some helpful tips for selecting the best ones.

What sizes of boards can I buy?

Lumber sold in a hardware store is all milled to standard thicknesses and widths. It’s commonly

referred to as “1-by” or “2-by” for the thickness in inches, followed by the width in inches.

So, you’ll hear lumber referred to as 1x6 (one-by-six), 2x4 (two-by-four), etc.

This can be confusing because those numbers don’t describe

the true dimensions of the boards. 1x6 or 2x4 refers to the

“nominal” thickness and width, which are greater than the “actual”

thickness and width. The chart below shows the difference

between nominal and actual sizes of common boards.

Here’s why that’s important for your projects:

• If you’re using a project plan, the materials list might say you need

a 1x4 board (the nominal size), but the dimensions in the plan will

show ¾” x 3½” (the actual size).

• If you’re drawing up your own project, be sure to use the actual

dimensions. If you accidentally design your project using the

nominal dimensions, it may not come together as you had planned

Nominal Actual

1" x 2" ¾" x 1½"

1" x 3" ¾" x 2½"

1" x 4" ¾" x 3½"

1" x 6" ¾" x 5½"

1" x 8" ¾" x 7¼"

2" x 2" 1½" x 1½"

2" x 4" 1½" x 3½"

2" x 6" 1½" x 5½"

2" x 8" 1½" x 7¼"

4" x 4" 3½" x 3½"

6" x 6" 5½" x 5½"

Nominal

Actual

3½"

1½"

Summary of content (6 pages)

PAGE 1
How to Buy the Best Home-Center Lumber Most DIYers shop for lumber at the home center, but with so many choices in multiple aisles, how do you know what boards to choose? Here’s an overview of the boards you can get, plus some helpful tips for selecting the best ones. What sizes of boards can I buy? Lumber sold in a hardware store is all milled to standard thicknesses and widths. It’s commonly referred to as “1-by” or “2-by” for the thickness in inches, followed by the width in inches.
PAGE 2
What kinds of boards can I buy? Construction lumber Home centers have several aisles filled with stacks of wall studs and other “2-by” boards up to 12” wide. These boards are made for building homes and other structures. Since they’re usually hidden inside walls or under floors, construction boards don’t have to be pretty. They’re rated for strength and size — not for appearance.
PAGE 3
What kinds of boards can I buy? Appearance boards In a separate aisle from construction lumber, you’ll find better-quality boards referred to as “appearance boards.” As the name implies, these boards are made to have a much better appearance. You’ll usually find them standing vertically (rather than stacked like construction lumber) to help prevent damage. Appearance boards aren’t meant for building structures.
PAGE 4
What kinds of boards can I buy? Premium pine Home centers also carry a higher grade of pine, which is usually labeled “select,” “premium,” or “clear.” This pine is free from knots and other internal imperfections, so it’s great for creating a higher-end look at a cost slightly lower than hardwoods. Clear pine is much more expensive than common pine, often costing three times as much or more.
PAGE 5
What kinds of boards can I buy? Oak Common Sizes Softwood/Hardwood 1x2, 1x3, 1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 1x10, 1x12 Hardwood Color Light to medium brown Appearance Smooth surfaces, square edges, pronounced, attractive grain, often with an arched shape on the board faces Common DIY Uses Traditional furniture, trim and millwork, cabinets, bookcases, built-ins Workability Slightly difficult to cut, holds fine-thread screws well but may require pilot holes to prevent splitting, glues well Cost $$$$$ Maple Commo
PAGE 6
How can I get the best boards? Once you know what kind of wood you want and the size of boards you need, it’s time to buy your lumber. But you don’t want to just grab the boards that are easiest to reach. Take your time looking over the available boards and check them for these common defects. Ideally, you want every board to be flat and straight. You’ll probably have to work around defects in some boards, though.