Actual Dimensions Of A 2x6

If you can stop someone in the store to help explain the inconsistency theyll start throwing around a few words like nominal sizes and actual sizes and softwood lumber and hardwood lumber. A 2x6s real or true dimension is 15 x 55 within the industry it is referred to as its actual size. In north america hardwood lumber is usually specified using the quarter system where a board is identified by its thickness in quarters of an inch.
actual dimensions of a 2x6 actual dimensions of a 2x6 board

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The reasons why the nominal dimension of this lumber what the lumber is called is larger than the actual dimensions involves historical practices in the lumber industry.

Actual dimensions of a 2x6. Measure the actual width and thickness of a pine board like a 2x4 and then look at the sign above the rack. The reason is that dressed lumber has been surfaced or planed smooth on four sides called s4s. In north america the 2x6 size is actually referring to the lumbers nominal dimension. A two by six board you purchase at a home improvement center doesnt measure 2 inches thick and 6 inches wide.

Originally a 2 x 4 was cut as a rough green board that was exactly 2 x 4 inches in size but by the time the boards were dried and planed the boards became smaller approaching the now standard 2 x 4 dimensions of 1 12 x. 1 x 1 34 x 34 1 x 2 34 x 1 12 1 x 3. Here are the common sizes of lumber and their actual sizes. Something doesnt quite match up.

Hardwood lumber is sized based on how many sides are surfaced. The measurements by which lumber is sold is virtually never the same as the actual dimensions of the boards when you measure them. 2x4s are not actually 2 inches by 4 inches. The actual measurements are the final size.

Why a 2 4 is not always a 2 4 lumber sizes are usually given in nominal measurements. Its actual dimensions are smaller. The nominal size is used. The nominal cross section dimensions of a piece of lumber such as 2 x 4 or 1 x 6 are always somewhat larger than the actual or dressed dimensions.

This convention dates back to the 18th century when millers realized the effects of wood shrinkage and saw blade thickness on size measurements. Actual dimensions and nominal dimensions youve just run into the reality of actual lumber sizes as compared to the nominal sizesthe sizes by which they are identified in the store. When the board is first rough sawn from the log it is a true 2x4 but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 15x35 size. Common lumber dimensions nominal vs.

Those are its nominal dimensions. Surfaced refers to a finishing process that smooths the lumber to remove all saw marks. Aww nominal vs actual. The nominal measurements are a boards size before it has been planed smooth surfaced on all 4 sides.

Actual board sizes in inches nominal size.