Cedar, walnut, oak, poplar, douglas fir, pine, pressure treated, kiln dried... Who knew there were so many types of wood to choose from? Which of these is best suited for my project? Does it even matter? Whether you're building a deck, framing a wall, or building a set of shelves, picking out the correct lumber is a key start to any project. This guide will take you from start to finish on how to choose the best wood for your next home project.
Step 1: Where to Buy?
We've all heard of the big box lumber yards: Menard's, Lowes, Home Depot. But as a home builder and general contractor, I usually steer clear of these places. A few reasons for shopping at your local lumber yard are:
Better customer service
First-hand product knowledge
Competitive pricing, or sometimes better pricing
Higher quality products/lumber
Will usually offer free delivery
Supporting local businesses/jobs
Over the years, I've built a relationship with the guys behind the desk, and found that they are more than willing to go out of their way to help answer my questions, look up prices, or help me with my estimates. If you're a DIYer looking to tackle a project you may feel uncomfortable doing on your own, they usually have a list of trusted contractors on hand that they can pass on to you.
Step 2: Know Your Project's Needs
Before heading to the lumber yard, quickly jot down a quick scope of your project:
What kind of project am I working on?
What's the rough size, or area, of my project?
Is my project indoor or outdoor?
Am I building something that's going to be holding a lot of weight?
How do I want this project to look when it's done?
What's my budget?
These simple questions will help you tremendously when figuring out what type of lumber is best suited for what you're planning to build.
Step 3: Understanding Different Lumber Types
In a broad stroke, you can categorize lumber into two different types: hardwoods and softwoods. Lets break these down and explain them better:
Hardwoods: in this category, you have woods like oak, maple, walnut, and poplar. These woods are dense and durable, but come with a high price tag. They're more suitable for decorative projects because of their beautiful grain patterns, their durability, they take finishes (oils, stains, etc.) exceptionally well, and they age gracefully. Because of these reasons, they command a higher price-tag and are harder to work with.
Softwoods: come from coniferous trees (like pine, fir, and cedar) and are generally more affordable. Softwoods are generally used for general construction projects such as framing, deck building, and siding. They are strong, which is why they're used in projects where structural integrity is a consideration; they're also cheaper and more widely available.
Step 4: Choosing Quality Lumber
Lumber quality varies wildly. Because you're working with a natural product, no two pieces of lumber of the same species are the same - even two pieces of lumber milled from the same tree can differ greatly! You'll find that framing lumber, for instance, is graded based on its quality. Hardwoods though, aren't generally graded, and it's up to you to pick out lumber that looks nice.
Here's some tips for picking out the best boards:
Check for defects: check for warping, cupping, twists, cracks, knots, pitch seams and live edges. These defects can affect the structural integrity and finished look of your project. While I like the look of some knots because it adds character, too many can weaken the lumber and make it unsuitable for building.
Lumber grades: like I mentioned above, most construction lumber is given a grade before it's packaged up and sent to the lumber yard. For the straightest and strongest lumber, look for a Number 2 and above, kiln dried quality rating. Newly sawn wood cracks and warps as it dries, so kiln dried wood has already made it past this crucial stage.
Picking straight boards: warped or twisted boards are challenging to work with (we've all heard the Home Depot lumber jokes!), so picking out straight boards is a must. When you walk into the warehouse to pick your lumber, sight down the board to avoid ones with excessive bending or bowing.
Other considerations: are you building a deck or other outdoor project? Remember that wood is a natural product, and will rot when it comes in prolonged contact with water. Any time you're using wood in an outdoor building project, or have wood coming into contact with concrete, consider using pressure treated wood. Pressure treated wood is soaked in a chemical that resists the effect of water contact and it suitable for decks or outdoor furniture.
When in doubt, ask for help! Your local lumber yard employees can help guide you to quality options, and in my experience have always been more than willing to help.
Step 5: Sizing and Cutting
Knowing standard wood sizes and how to cut lumber to fit your project is essential for both cost and efficiency. Here are some basics:
Dimensional lumber: most general construction lumber is sold in standard sizes. For instance, wherever you buy a 2x4, you can expect to get a board that's around1.5"x3.5", plus or minus 1/16". 2x6 is 1.5"x5.5", 2x8 is 1.5"x7.25", 2x10 is 1.5"x9.25, and a 2x12 is 1.5"x11.25".
Sheet goods: for any sheet goods such as plywood or OSB, the standard sizing is 4' by 8'. This is so that whichever way your orient the sheet (vertical or horizontal) the goods will land in the center of a correctly framed wall.
Cutting options: some lumberyards will offer a cutting service which can save a lot of time. Some standard framing lumber can be ordered "pre-cut" at standard wall framing lengths.
Account for waste: its always a good idea to buy more than you think you'll need. None of us are perfect, and even the most experienced carpenters make mistakes. When estimating lumber for a project, I typically add 10% to account for waste. Buying extra will also save time driving back and forth to the lumber yard in the event you mess up a cut or two. You can always return un-cut boards!
Step 6: Tips for Buying Lumber on a Budget
Quality can most definitely come at a high cost. Even the cost of framing lumber can add up if you need to buy a lot of it. In order to save some money, consider:
Buy in Bulk: many lumber yards offer bulk buy discounts. For instance, if you're buying all the lumber needed to build a house, you can try and get a bulk buying discount.
Plan Carefully: detailed planning in the beginning stages of a project can save you lots of money, frustration and time. Consider breaking projects down into square footage (length x width) or lineal footage to get an accurate list of lumber you can hand to the sales person at the lumberyard.
Consider online options: utilizing local Facebook groups or Craigslist listings, you can sometimes find deals on lumber someone is trying to get rid of.
Shop around: don't just buy from the first place you drive to. If you plan well, you can take a list of lumber to a few different stores, to see where you'd be getting the best price.
Lets Wrap it Up
Choosing the right lumber for your project isn’t just a technical step; it’s the foundation for everything that follows. The type of wood you select impacts how you’ll work with it, how the final piece will look and feel, and ultimately, how long it will last. Take the time to understand your project’s needs—whether that’s durability, aesthetic appeal, or budget-consciousness.
As you work on more projects, you’ll start to notice the subtle differences in wood types, spot quality more easily, and gain confidence in your choices. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of wood or to ask questions along the way; every project is a chance to learn.
Stay tuned for the next blog post in the From Start to Finish series, where we’ll tackle everything you need to know about estimating the materials you need for your next project!
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