The remaining two edges and not cut and planed. Hardwood, on the other hand, is typically surfaced or planed, on either one side (S1S) or two sides (S2S).
Softwood is surfaced on all four sides to create a clean rectangular shape. Oak, maple, beech, black walnut, and poplar are all common hardwoods used in North America. Hardwood lumber is typically used for furniture, flooring, trim, millwork, and casework. In North America, typical softwoods used for lumber production include pines, spruces, and firs. Softwood lumber is typically used structurally for framing, flooring, and creating plywood, sheathing, and paneling. Home and apartment listings might advertise a 10’x12′ bedroom, but it may have been rounded up a few inches to create a clean number. Measure your area rug and it’s likely slightly smaller than its listed size. Nominal dimensions may seem misleading but are common. Lumber is most often referred to by its nominal dimensions. This is also often referred to as dressed lumber. This is much easier for carpenters to work with and more economical to transport. The surface of these boards are rough and full of splinters and saw marks can usually be seen.Īctual lumber refers to the true size of the lumber after it has been seasoned (dried to reduce shrinkage) and planed smooth (or surfaced) to create a uniform product. Nominal lumber refers to the size of lumber after it has been rough-sawn, meaning the initial cuts made to divide a log into boards. What's the difference between lumber and timber? Nominal vs Actual Lumber.