Lumber Grades Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.

2 Lumber Dimensions What are the dimensions of this board? “ 2 X 4 “ Someone measure it for me. “ 1 ½ X 3 ½ “ Why are there two different sets of numbers?

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.3 Nominal 2 x 4 1 x 6 2 x 8 1 x 2 Two by Six 1 x 12 One by Four 4 x 4 6 x 12

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.4 Actual 1 ½ x 3 ½ 1 ½ x 5 ½ 1 ½ x 7 ½ ¾ x 1 ½ One and a half by five and a half. ¾ x 11 ¼ ¾ x 3 ½ 3 ½ x 3 ½ 5 ½ x 11 ¼

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.5 Nominal VS. Actual Nominal 2 x 6 Actual 1 ½ x 5 ½ Nominal 2 x 8 Actual 1 ½ x 7 ½ Is there a pattern? 2 X 10 and 2 x 12 Actual 1 ½ x 9 1/4, 1 ½ x 11 1/4

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.6 Lumber Size Chart

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.7 Grading Terms Boards – Consists of members up to 1 ½ “ thick and 2 “ and wider Light Framing – Consists of members 2” to 4” thick and 2” to 4” wide.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.8 Grading Terms Joists – Consists of members 2” to 4” thick and 6” or wider. Beams – Consists of members 5” and thicker by 8” inches and wider

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.9 Grading Terms Posts and Timbers – Consists of members 5” x 5” and greater, approximately square.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.10 Grade Stamps

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.11 Grade Stamp The Grading Agency This symbol indicates which agency is certifying the quality of the lumber.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.12 Grading Stamp The Species of Lumber Indicates species by individual species or species combination.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.13 Grade Stamp The Grade The grade designation: Grade name, number, or abbreviation. Indicates the quality of the material.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.14 Grade Stamp The Mill Identification Firm name, brand, or assigned mill number. Allows the agency to identify the individual mill whenever necessary.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.15 Grade Stamp The Moisture Content Condition of seasoning: Indicates the condition of seasoning at the time of surfacing.

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.16 Grading Chart

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.17 Grading Lumber Class Construction Standard Utility

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.18 Grading Lumber Class Select Structural Grade Stud

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, All rights reserved.19 In Summary: What is the difference between a nominal and an actual dimension? At what lumber size does the pattern for lumber dimensions change? What are the common similarities between the 1 x 4 and the 2 x 4? Give one part of the Grade Stamp.