When is a 2x4 not a 2x4?
Category: Restore & Repair
Actually, I've known it for awhile--modern 2x4s are smaller than they used to be. As lumber mills became more sophisticated over the past century, the industry settled on the modern dimensions to maximize the number of boards they could get per tree.
That's all fine and good, but I didn't expect this difference to cause so many problems as we worked on our second floor.
More tomorrow...
(3)
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Comments
So, is that a trick question?
Posted by: anon | January 10, 2005 12:59 PM
We, unfortunately, did not know this until we were in the middle of a porch renovation project. After the 3rd piece had to be scrapped because they weren't fitting as planned, someone who may or may not have been me was heard to say, "Huh. It's almost like these 2x4's aren't actually, you know, 2x4's."
Reports that the so-called "2x4's" were thrown down the stairs in a fit of petulant disgust are greatly exaggerated.
Posted by: Brittney | January 10, 2005 11:20 PM
It's my understanding that the names of lumber sizes represent the actual dimensions of cut lumber before it is milled smooth. Consistant with this is that all the old 2x4s in my house are a full 2" by 4", but they're rough cut.
I'm not sure when or why the industry decided to mill finish structural lumber, but it's sure easier to work with! I just wish they'd bumped up the dimensions.
Posted by: Nathan | January 12, 2005 2:27 PM