![]() ![]() The next time I ask my intern about the size of a 2x4, hopefully she’ll know the right answer: 1.5 inches by 3. However, as my intern proved, not everyone knows that there is a difference between nominal and actual lumber dimensions. Yes, that lawsuit was a little ridiculous. Now they must also label their products using descriptive words like “inch” and “feet” instead of standard industry symbols like “ or ‘. They were ordered to pay a $1.6 million dollar settlement in California and were required to label their lumber with both nominal and actual dimensions. Even though the nominal size is less than the actual size, it is still called 2-by-12 lumber. The Marin County, California Department of Weights and Measures took civil action against Lowe’s because they unlawfully advertised their lumber according to the nominal dimensions. The actual size of 2×12 lumber is 1 1/2 x 11 1/4 inches (38 x 286 mm). According to their website, the purpose of these standards is to: "Establish nationally recognized requirements for products and to provide all concerned interests with a basis for common understanding of the characteristics of a product."Ĭonsidering all of these facts, the entire building industry was scratching its head a few years ago when Lowe’s was sued over its lumber labeling policy. Product Dimensions and Colors: Actual Size: 1 1/2 in x 3 1/2 in Wt (lbs) Per Ft: 1. Each board will last for decades, saving time and money on replacement costs. Lumber sold in the United States in governed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This 2 x 4 board can be used for both indoor and outdoor projects. Yes, it might appear as if lumber mills are selling you one thing but giving you another - but it’s actually not like that at all. ![]() While comparing nominal and actual lumber dimensions, you might be thinking that this is another case of companies trying to pull one over on consumers. Here are the basic rules to keep in mind: This fact makes no difference in the building industry because architects and contractors are (hopefully) aware of this discrepancy.īelow is our lumber dimensions chart to help you quickly find the actual size: Īs you can see from the lumber dimensions chart above, there is a bigger difference between the nominal and actual size of larger lumber pieces. Most lumber is described using nominal dimensions but is actually smaller in reality. The actual dimensions of a 2x4 are 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches or 38mm by 89mm. During this finishing process the 2x4 shrinks. However, it must be dried and planed before it can be sold for purchase. When a 2x4 is cut from a large piece of lumber it is actually around 2 inches by 4 inches in size. The wood you find at your local home improvement store or lumber yard is described in nominal dimensions. Unless you’ve worked as a carpenter, you might be surprised to learn that a 2x4 is not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. She quickly replied “2 inches by 4 inches - duh” and went back to work. In spite of this, they refer to the lumber’s measurements as their original dimensions, despite the fact that the new dimensions are less than the actual dimensions.The other day I asked my intern a simple question: “what is the actual size of a 2x4?” Standard Deck Board 2x10' Actual Dimensions: 1.5x9. In this way, a lumber’s dimension is reduced. Standard Deck Board 2x4' Actual Dimensions: 1.5x3.5' Standard Lengths: 16 20 Custom Lengths: Not available Woodgrain: Both Sides Colors Available: All. Consequently, timbers with four-sided smooth surfaces lose thickness and width, reducing their actual dimensions. As thin layers of timber are sliced off by planning through each side of the timber, its thickness shrinks. The planning process creates a uniform thickness by smoothing the surface of the wood. Later, the hardware stores buy those lumbers and treat them to make them smooth from all sides. Plans are generally measured when they are rough-sawn in their original shape. Why is the actual size of a 2×4 lumber smaller than its nominal size? The length of a nominally lengthened board of 12 feet will actually be 12 feet. There is no difference in the length of a 2×4 board whether it is nominal or actual.Ī 2×4 will have an actual length of 6 feet if its nominal length is 6 feet. Since 2×4 lumber at hardware stores is usually a little smaller than advertised, measure it carefully to ensure that you get the right 2×4 lumber for your project. The actual size of a board is determined after it has been measured after planning. Nominal size refers to the dimensions of the lumber before it’s smoothed for all sides. And the measurement of a 2×4 board is taken when it was freshly cut. The reason for this is that hardware stores sell lumber that has been planned. ![]() The actual size of 2×4 lumber is 1 ½ x 3 ½ (38 x 76.2 mm), smaller than what is being advertised in hardware stores.
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