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Understanding Nominal vs. Actual Lumber Sizes

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Lumber explained 👍 #framing #carpentry #learn #build

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What happens here

The video introduces the concept of 'lumber explained' by showcasing various pieces of dimensional lumber. It immediately addresses a common misconception: the difference between a lumber's nominal size (e.g., 2x4) and its actual size after milling. The presenter uses a whiteboard to illustrate that a nominal 2x4 is actually 1.5 inches by 3.5 inches, and a 2x6 is 1.5 inches by 5.5 inches. He then explains that for larger dimensions like 2x8, 2x10, and 2x12, the width measurements shift from halves to quarter inches (e.g., a 2x8 is 1.5 inches by 7.25 inches).

Goal: Learn the actual dimensions of common dimensional lumber sizes.

Tools and materials

  • 2x10 Lumber — Visual representation of nominal vs. actual size
  • 2x12 Lumber — Visual representation of nominal vs. actual size
  • 2x4 Lumber — Visual representation of nominal vs. actual size
  • 2x6 Lumber — Visual representation of nominal vs. actual size
  • 2x8 Lumber — Visual representation of nominal vs. actual size
  • Marker/Pen — Writing on the whiteboard to explain dimensions
  • Pointer — Highlighting details on the whiteboard
  • Whiteboard — Displaying actual lumber dimensions

What they say

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Lumber explained. Standard lumber comes in 2x dimensions. These here are the nominal size. This down here is the actual size. A 2x4 is actually only an inch and a half by 3 and 1/2 inches. A 2x6 is 5 and 1/2. Once you get into a 2x8, it changes from halves to quarters. So, this goes 5 and 1/4, 9 and 1/4, 11 and 1/4 for these three and these two are halves. Here's a diagram for lumber ID. SPIB is

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