Few Things to Keep in Mind While Buying Lumber from A Timber Yard

Wood is a versatile natural product that is used in several ways for various purposes. If you are someone who is into the trade of wood and looking for sawn lumber, there are certain basics rules that you need to follow while buying lumber from a timber yard. Do not ever forget to carry the right tools along with you, so that you can check the right lengths and sizes of lumber that you need for your project.

Timber Yard

1. Start Out Thick and Buy Long: Any rough lumber thickness is usually measured in terms of 1/4^th increments. The thinnest would be marked as 4/4, known as four quarters and 1 inch in thickness. When you are looking for a rough sawn board, look for the stocks of 4/4 and 8/4 thick lumbers which are 1 inch and 2 inches thick each. Rough sawn boards are usually cut a couple inches longer, and there are knots or wild grains that need to be cut off. If you are looking for 8 feet long lumbers at a timber yard, do not forget to keep in mind that you are required to buy 9 feet or even 10 feet longboard. It would not be appropriate for you to buy a lumber of the exact amount that is required for the work.

2. Tame Warped Lumber: It is always suggested that you buy flat boards and avoid the ones with pretzels. Due to the drying procedure, sometimes, rough sawn lumber boards end up being warped. There can be deflections found in the lumber. It may not be something too severe to worry about the consequences, but it still remains visible.

3. Cups and Bows: Lumber that bends across the complete width of the face of the board is cupped. Cupping generally occurs in plain-sawn lumber, thus affecting the finishing thickness of the board. It is easier to flatten boards that are slightly cupped. 

Any lumber that bends across the length of its face is bowed. If bowed lumber is flattened, you are most likely to lose a part of the length, as you are required to cut off more from the end than the center of the board. The only possible way to deal with a bowed lumber board would be to cut it into much-shorted lengths. That way, it is easier to flatten the lumber. 

4. Crook and Twist: A board that bends along its entire length is crooked, while a board with one high corner is twisted. If you straighten a lumber’s crook, it reduces its width. The minor crooks on lumber can be dealt with by jointing or ripping – but you must keep in mind that a major crook cannot be dealt with using these methods. The best way to use a twisted (or a crooked) lumber board is to cut it shorter into multiple pieces and then make use of it.

5. Lumber Grades: If you are somebody who has just begun to purchase lumber from a timber yard, it is very likely for you to find lumber grades overwhelming. It is important on your part to first find out which grade of lumber would be most suitable for your project. When it comes to projects such as tabletops and high-quality furniture, you would be required to buy the lumber grade from the timber yard. Whereas, in case of kitchen cabinet doors or other smaller projects, the Common grade of lumber is usually required.

Timber yards, over the years, have come a long way. timber yards offer a variety of woods, different thicknesses and grades, and various machining options. You must remember that milling on your own can save you a whole lot of money, but it is a time-consuming task that will require proper equipment and a lot of patience!