Don Vandervort, Head Homeboy, has written more than 30 DIY home improvement books, been a segment host on HGTV, served as MSN.com's home improvement expert and written countless magazine articles.
Knowing basic terminology will help you select the right materials and can save you a bundle.
Wood is classified as either softwood or hardwood, depending on whether it is from a deciduous tree (hardwood) or a conifer (softwood). Although most hardwoods do tend to be denser and harder than softwoods—oak and maple are much harder than pine—these terms do not refer to the wood's hardness. (Balsa, one of the softest woods, is a hardwood.)
The nature of wood differs by the part of a log it's cut from. Heartwood, the older wood at the center of a log, is tighter-grained and resists decay more readily. Sapwood, close to the bark, is more porous.
Species is the type of tree the wood is from: oak, Douglas fir, spruce, and so on. Different woods have different qualities. Redwood, cedar, and cypress heartwood, for example, are naturally resistant to decay. That's why these woods are often preferred for outdoor use, such as for decking.
When wood is freshly cut, it is called green, or unseasoned. This terminology does not refer to the color. The term means that the wood has a high moisture content (20 percent or higher) because it hasn't been dried yet. Although green wood is fine for some outdoor projects, it will warp, cup, and split as it dries. Kiln-dried (KD) lumber has been stacked and dried in a kiln.
Lumber is stamped with a moisture rating. S-GRN means it's green. S-DRY indicates that it has less than 19 percent moisture. MC-15 means its moisture content is 15 percent or less.
Before lumber leaves a mill, it may be dressed so that it is trimmed smooth, or surfaced, on two or more sides. Most lumber is surfaced on all four sides (S4S). Unsurfaced lumber is usually referred to as rough.
Lumber is sorted and graded at the mill according to quality. Various grading agencies oversee this process, and the lumber is stamped with their identifiers. The factors that determine a board's grade include knots and other imperfections. The more numerous the defects, the lower the grade. Because there are several different grading parameters, depending on the species, it's a good idea to discuss lumber grades with the dealer. You should inspect each board for defects before making a purchase.
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