How to Choose the Right Type of Lumber to Build a House

Building a home is one of the most exciting events in a person’s life. There are many decisions you’ll need to make throughout the process. One of which concerns the home building materials that you’ll choose. Today, we’re going to take a look at the different attributes of wood that you need to consider, along with some of the most common types of wood used for custom home building.

First off, you’ll need to choose the right type of home building materials for construction.

Here are the basic details to consider:

• Density — You certainly don’t want your house’s structure to be weak, so density is the most important attribute. This illustrates the strength and weight of the wood.
• Texture — In areas where your home’s wood will be visible, texture is important. This is one of the most essential factors of its overall appearance.
• Color — Arguably, the color you choose will determine your home’s personality. Light-colored or dark-colored will give the property a different sort of attitude.
• Wood Grain — Wood grain affects density and strength, which makes it extremely important. For the framing of the home, you should look for a straight-grained, tightly patterned lumber.
• Softwood Vs. Hardwood — Homeowners are often at odds with each other as to whether they prefer softwood or hardwood for home construction projects. However, softwoods have the advantage of being more flexible and with straighter grain.
• Grade — The grade of wood refers to the number of defects it has. The grading systems differ between softwood and hardwood, so it’s best to consult a lumber yard prior to construction.
• Moisture Content — Some of the best home building materials are those that are moisture-resistant. You should look for dry wood that’s labeled KD-HT (kiln-dried, heat-treated).

Common Types of Home Building Materials

There are many different types of home building materials, several of which are quite popular. We might miss a favorite or two, but here are the most common types that we deal with:

• Spruce — This inexpensive softwood is known for being lightweight, elastic, and not cracking over time. It also has a high bearing capacity, but remember that it isn’t weather-resistant, so you’ll need to have it treated prior to using it for construction.
• Pine — This classic softwood is amongst the favorites of custom home builders thanks to its malleability and affordability. Oh, who are we kidding? While those things are important, it’s very often the appearance and pleasant scent that people love.
• Douglas Fir — Douglas Fir is very popular due to its impressive strength-to-weight ratio that allows it to perform well in a variety of construction projects, especially framing. Many homeowners who are faced with heavy loads, high winds, and even earthquakes will choose Fir for this exact reason.
• Cedar — Also known for its pleasant scent, this wood can handle severe temperature and humidity changes without suffering damage. If you take care of it, cedar can resist rotting for up to 40 years.
• Hemlock — Given its strength and resistance to wear, homeowners love using hemlock for flooring and stairs, but it can also be used for internal paneling, window frames, feature walls, moldings, doors, and more. Very often, it’s used for built-in wardrobes and roofing systems because it’s a great alternative to hardwood.
• Oak — Just saying the word “oak” to a homeowner or wood enthusiast will often get them to perk up. Red oak and white oak are the two most popular varieties, both of which are resistant to insects and moisture. It’s also highly durable and, as most people are very aware, one of the most attractive types of wood you can find.
• Teak — You’ll often find teak wood used for either building construction or furniture. It contains natural oils that repel termites and other insects, in addition to a variety of other pests. Add to that its resistance to weather, warping, and burning, and you have yourself a fine wood for large-scale construction projects.
• Cherry — Cherry wood is often chosen not just because of its natural beauty, but because it actually darkens and becomes richer as it ages. It’s also easy to cut and mold, making it perfect for a variety of uses, and is highly decay and rot-resistant.

Visit Peninsular Lumber Company for High-Quality Home Building Materials

Peninsular Lumber is the premier lumber yard in Tampa and the surrounding communities. If you’re interested in custom home building materials or have any questions, reach out to us at (813) 875-8805 today and come visit our lumber company in Tampa.