- Construction lumber (projects outside) requires 15% or less moisture content.
- Furniture lumber (projects for inside) requires 8% or less moisture content.
Kiln-dried refers to dried in an oven (kiln). With a kiln, you can control the environment such as temperature, humidity, and steam levels for a set period of time. Allowing you to dry wood to the desired moisture content faster than air-drying.
- 1″ Softwood takes approximately 7 days
- 1″ Hardwood take a minimum 14 days to reach 8% moisture content but depends on thickness and species.
- Linear Foot is 1 foot in length or 12 inches. It is a measurement of a straight line.
- Board Foot is a measurement of volume. A board foot is one square foot, one inch thick. Board footage is calculated by multiplying the nominal thickness in inches (T) by the nominal width in inches (W) by the actual length in inches (L) and dividing by 144. The formula is: T x W x L / 144 = Board ft.
These measurements are often confused. When calculating amount of materials and prices, check the measurement units being used in calculations.
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Graded or stamped lumber pertains to the rules for lumber used in the actual structure of the home or occupied dwelling.
As per the Ontario Building Code: “Ungraded lumber may be used for wood posts, joists, rafters, lintels, beams and wall studs in a farm building of low human occupancy of not more than one story in building height.”
Lumber for trim, flooring, wall coverings are not required to be graded.
The National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA) is the organization responsible for the establishment, issuance, publication, amendment and interpretation of Canadian lumber grading rules and standards. NLGA is the only recognized rules writing body for lumber grades and standards in Canada. For more information, visit http://nlga.org/en/
The Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board (CLSAB) is the official body that monitors the quality of Canada’s lumber grading and identification system. For more information, visit: https://www.clsab.ca/
Graded lumber will be available from Malwood Sawmills in the future.
In the past, when a timber was called a 2×4 [or “two-by-four”], it actually measured 2 inches by 4 inches. Now, most timber is milled (rough cut) to 2″ x 4” (= Nominal size) and then it is planed for a smoother surface and finished ( = Actual size) making a 2×4 measure only 1 1/2″ by 3 1/2″ unless it is classed as rough lumber. We sell rough lumber in a full 2*4 and a1.5*3.5 which is much less expensive.
Our dimensional lumber is true to size offering up to 40% more material! Ask for details.
- In Stock – same day to next day
- Custom Order would depend upon raw material supply, milling schedule and if being kiln dried and dressed. Rough sawn is 1 to 2 weeks depending on the time of year. Dried and dressed can add 2 weeks for softwoods and 3 weeks for hardwood or more for hardwoods. Depends on hardwood species.