Everything you need to know about rough cut lumber.
When it comes to making crafts, building a do-it-yourself project, or executing your home improvement plan, there is always lumber involved. Sawn wood or lumber has been used for centuries. It is a sturdy, reliable, and renewable material that can last you a lifetime.
Sawn lumber has come a long way from when it was first used for building and construction. Nowadays, the rough cut lumber you will find in local lumber yards can be vastly superior to lumber from before. Thanks to modern technology and techniques, your sawn wood can also be treated to become more resilient to potential damage.
If you are planning a home project, you might be on the fence about whether you should go for rough cut or dimensional lumber. Here are some of the reasons why this type of lumber may be the right type of wood for your projects.
Rough cut lumber is wood that has yet to be chemically treated, smoothened, or dried. It is a raw version of lumber that you can still mill down to your desired thickness or dimensions. This is a multipurpose type of lumber that can conform to most projects with the final finishing touches completely up to you.
Why Should You Use Rough Cut Lumber?
Rough cut lumber is ideal if you want to get into the nitty-gritty details of woodworking. You have complete control over how you want to treat and process your wood. Where dimensional lumber gives you precision, rough cut lumber gives you versatility. Some of the top benefits of using rough sawn lumber include:
- Pleasing Aesthetics
A big draw that you rarely get from your dimensional lumber is the natural or rustic look of rough cut lumber. The countryside look of this lumber makes it ideal for outdoor tabletops or fencing your property.
- Strength and Durability
Strength and durability are commonly associated with rough cut lumber. Their extra heft gives them a leg up to dimensional lumber. Since they are cut larger and contain a higher moisture content, they end up being a great choice when you need to build porches, wood decks, or sheds.
- Lower Cost and More Flexibility
Rough cut lumber can effectively save you money down the line. It is often sold at a much cheaper price than dimensional lumber since it is less processed, so you need not spend too much to get your materials. The less refined nature of the wood also gives you the flexibility to work on simpler things like carvings or larger projects like building a home.
Ultimately, investing in rough cut lumber will save you money while providing you more creative freedom on thickness, finishes, and smoothness for each specific piece. It also allows you more room to breathe if you ever make a mistake in your measuring or cutting. You may need some extra elbow grease to get it done, but it will be worth it in the end.
Tips for Buying Rough Cut Lumber
You might think that buying lumber is as simple as picking out an apple at the store, but it cannot be further from the truth. Knowing your specific needs is one thing but planning it out and comparing it in real-time takes practice and expertise.
Here are some tips that you can use if you plan to buy wood:
- Bigger Is Usually Better and Safer
Some lumber contains moisture and some defects which you will need to deal with before starting your projects. Be sure to buy thick, long boards to accommodate the changes that will occur while you process your wood.
- Taper Your Expectations on What You Will See
The nature of rough sawn lumber means that the wood grains may look unfinished or rushed. In the same vein, some planks may be warped or uneven. However, this is just wood in its natural form. Remember that you can still work with the wood to make it fit your needs.
- Be Sure to Check the Commons
While you should generally look in the select section of the lumber mill, you should never overlook the commons. Not all projects need to have perfectly sized boards and the commons section can often provide ideally sized sections of wood you can salvage from larger number 3 commons.
Get Quality Rough Cut Lumber from Your Trusted Local Suppliers
Rough lumber is worth the effort in the long run. However, maximizing what you can do with your wood takes some expertise and experience. You may need to consider more things such as moisture content, the drying process, and proper cutting techniques. Therefore, it is important to source your wood from a professional lumber company in Tampa.
Call Peninsular Lumber Co. at 813-875-8805 for any of your lumber needs. We will be happy to answer all your questions and give you our expert opinions and recommendations for all your projects. We look forward to serving you at our one-stop-shop for all your lumber needs.
