Questions tagged [lumber]
For questions involving the use of lumber as a construction material.
164
questions
2
votes
2
answers
138
views
Can I use a pressure treated 6x6 to replace my porch post?
I would like to replace my porch post as it is falling apart. I understand how to do it with a bracket in the cement etc. I would like to use a pressure treated 6x6. There is no one in my area that ...
0
votes
1
answer
48
views
Easiest way to get 3 x 6/8 inch piece of wood
Short version: I want to install one or more pieces of wood that are a total of 3 and 6/8 inches thick (about 2 inches wide and about 2 inches tall). They will be hammered in to a beam behind drywall. ...
- 253
1
vote
1
answer
146
views
What is a good wood type and thickness for cheap bed slats?
I have a queen size IKEA bed frame that I want to make slats for as I don't like the curved LUROY slats that they come with. My father previously made bed slats for a single sized bed from 10 or so 2&...
- 177
0
votes
1
answer
56
views
How much difference does color make on the temperature of PVC decking?
My wife and I have settled on Azek decking. I cannot find solid data anywhere on what recent PVC technology decking heats up to, and more specifically, the degree of difference between "light&...
1
vote
3
answers
233
views
How much flex can a wall have that supports tile?
I have a short divider wall in my bathroom that separates the shower from the rest of the bathroom. Originally the wall was made of 2x2 wood. Topdown image showing the wall in question colored blue:
...
- 157
2
votes
2
answers
480
views
What size scaffolding wooden planks should I use
I'm erecting scaffolding with 5'x5' frames and 7' crossbraces. I want to use wooden planks. OSHA planks apparently are 2" x 10" x 8' Southern Yellow Pine and cost about $30-$40. At the ...
- 227
0
votes
1
answer
251
views
How much load can a 7' wooden 4x6 beam carry?
I'm planning a swing set for 4 children. I'm considering using a 4x6 beam (with the 6" dimension placed vertically) to support the swings over a span of about 15 feet with a center support. What ...
- 1
2
votes
1
answer
570
views
Are there standard tolerances for dimensional lumber?
I understand that the actual dimensions of dimensional lumber are slightly smaller than their nominal dimensions, like how a 2x4 is actually 1½" x 3½". Are there industry standard tolerances ...
- 121
0
votes
3
answers
194
views
Where can I find ¾" x 2 ⅞" (~actual size) boards for window sill repair? Everything I find is ½" too long or too short!
I'm working on my parent's home in order to get it ready to sell, and one project involves repairing a few sills on windows where stray raindrops through open windows have caused the (abysmally cheap ...
0
votes
4
answers
149
views
How to make 1x2 lumber longer?
I want to DIY a 99x72 inches rectangle wood frame by 1x2 lumber. The frame is used to keep a pet's playpen in shape, so the dimension is kind of customized.
I found 1x2 lumber in 6 feet and 8 feet ...
- 221
0
votes
1
answer
57
views
Best way to salvage 4x4s from old deck
I tore up my old deck to do some drainage work and now I'm ready to build a new deck in the old footprint. I couldn't remove the screws from the deck planks because they were buried way down in the ...
- 291
0
votes
1
answer
92
views
What is the minimum nominal dimensional lumber size to span a 76" gap?
I want to span a 76" gap. People won't walk on it, but I want to make sure it could support an adult.
What is the minimum size I should use?
Suggested Edit:
This is to hold a decorative item. ...
- 1,610
0
votes
1
answer
51
views
Will the moss on the siding affect deck repainting in short term?
I was told by some contractor that the moss (he thought there was mold as well) will transfer to the deck, and it should be cleaned by power wash before repainting the deck. However, my tenants don’t ...
- 121
2
votes
2
answers
8k
views
How much center point load can I put on a 14' long 2x12 joist?
It is anchored at each end but the span is over open water.
So if we are walking across it, or making a bridge with two of them spaced 24" apart, when we are at center, I need to know how much ...
1
vote
1
answer
110
views
Is there a term for cutting, planing and jointing wood?
Say I buy some two-by lumber from a Big Box retailer. But, for my project, the lumber is a little bit too wide and thick. So in addition to cutting it to length, I need to plane it down to the right ...
- 294
4
votes
6
answers
2k
views
How to sand/smooth out this uneven/chipped wood?
We have 2x10 triple wood beams which are not only uneven lengths, but they have chipped wood from when a steel column was installed.
My question is, how should we go about sanding/smoothing out the ...
- 59
0
votes
1
answer
158
views
2" x 11" Actual Floor Joist Sistering Question
Remodeling our home and found out a few of the floor joists have dry-rot where the floor joist sits on the wall top plate. The wall to wall span that the joist sits on is 11'. Three questions on best ...
- 197
1
vote
1
answer
498
views
Sistering floor joists with lvl [closed]
I am going to sister a few of 2x8 floor joists (70 yrs old) with lvl. I know I can use same size dimensional lumber but why not to use lvl to get better reinforcement. Cost is fine. Any input ...
- 41
0
votes
1
answer
146
views
How can I finish the ceiling in this detached garage?
I'd like to finish the ceiling in this detached garage with insulation/drywall. I've attached some pictures but I definitely don't think there are enough (rafters/joists not sure which one?) to ...
1
vote
0
answers
112
views
Western red cedar vs pressure treated / GC timbers for exterior load bearing beams
For exterior exposed load bearing timbers and support beams, is western red cedar sufficiently weather resistant or is ground contact (GC) pressure treated a significantly superior option?
There will ...
- 730
-1
votes
1
answer
733
views
Double 2x12 Beam - Seams Over Posts?
I'm building an awning off the side of a barn. I have four 6x6 posts spacing at 0,8',18',26'(8ft, 10ft, 8ft spans).
I am building a beam out of 2 2x12s. I had learned that when constructing these ...
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
261
views
How can I build a floating corner bench from 2x10 lumber?
I am looking to make a floating bench that spans a corner. 10' either way. I recently built an L-shaped block wall with steel supports embedded within the concrete. Now, I need to build the bench.
...
- 223
0
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Is it safe to build a long beam from shorter pieces of lumber?
We have a mid span beam in the middle of the garage (24 by 24 garage) supporting the 12 ft long floor joists (2x8) for above attic space. This beam was made of gluing and nailing three 2 x 10 (or ...
- 41
0
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Sizing beam/header for planned 12' opening
I am trying to figure out what sized beam I will need to support the load when opening up the center wall in my home.
This opening currently exists, but is only 6ft wide. I am looking it expand that ...
0
votes
0
answers
50
views
What lumber for window seat frame?
I'm making window seat with storage. Do I need 2x4 for the framing or can I use smaller size lumber - eg 1x3?
8
votes
3
answers
5k
views
How can I get true 1" thick oak boards?
I'm trying to make a drawer face to match the other cabinet and drawer faces in my kitchen. They are all 1" thick, so I'd like to match that size.
I'm trying to buy some unfinished oak boards ...
- 725
0
votes
1
answer
172
views
Is there any danger to mixing wood types when repairing structural joists?
I need to replace a 2 in. x 8 in. x 12 ft. joist and the only kind my hardware store has is "#2 Prime Kiln Dried Southern Yellow Pine Lumber". I do not know if this is the same type of ...
- 625
1
vote
1
answer
614
views
Yakisugi (burning) pressure treated wood?
Can you finish pressure treated wood with fire if it's treated with
Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ)
Copper Azole (CA-B)
With a technique like Yakisugi / shou sugi ban? Will these interfere with the ...
- 894
0
votes
0
answers
52
views
Purpose of the wooden board in the ground
Close to the foundation, there is a wooden board, I assume pressure-treated, in the ground. It looks pretty old and started to rot. I can't think of anything it is attached to. What purpose could it ...
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
932
views
Is PVC lumber strong enough to act as a barn door hardware shim?
I am hanging a barn door inside my house. I'm using a steel hardware set (rail, hangers to roll on the rail, bracket to mount the rail). The door plus hardware will be a bit shy of 100lb. The rail ...
- 2,411
-1
votes
1
answer
445
views
Does the Metric system have a concept of a Board Foot?
The US sells lumber by $/board foot. I want to create a project planning spreadsheet that uses Imperial or metric dimensions to calculate how many Board feet I will need to buy. If the planner is used ...
- 1
3
votes
5
answers
2k
views
How should I handle a deck beam member that's slightly shorter than the others?
So, I had a load of wood delivered a few days ago for a deck build. With the beams, I have one board that is about 1/4" smaller in width than the others. What is the right way to deal with this?...
- 155
1
vote
3
answers
765
views
How can I repair damage to the corner of a 4x4 post?
I'm updating my outdoor shower, and planning to reuse the existing (20 year old pressure treated) 4x4 posts. They're still solidly seated in the ground and surrounded by decking so I'd like to avoid ...
- 295
-1
votes
1
answer
432
views
Are lumber prices now high enough that building with brick/concrete is more price efficient in the US? [closed]
I’m looking at purchasing a piece of land and building my own home within Washington state. Traditionally, single family homes around here are built with lumber rather than brick or concrete due to ...
- 480
0
votes
1
answer
3k
views
How to sister 2x4s on top of each other?
In the past I have sistered lumber by putting the two pieces side by side (so if you have two 2x6s putting the 6” side next to each other) with some liquid nails on them and then putting some nails ...
- 881
0
votes
1
answer
906
views
How can I connect floating 2x6 wall plates to 4x4 posts?
I've started designing an outdoor shower for my house, and need some advice on the framing. The vertical posts are 4x4 PT lumber and are the only thing already in place.
As I've designed it, the sides ...
- 295
0
votes
0
answers
785
views
Is this old 2x4 infested with termites, or something else?
I have this old 2x4 that we removed from somewhere in the house and which has been sitting outside in a pile with other lumber for a while. I wanted to cut a small piece from it and noticed that one ...
- 279
12
votes
8
answers
9k
views
Is straight lumber a thing of the past?
I am working on a bathroom project, which is a brand new room. I've gone out to purchase 2x3" lumber for this project (I don't prefer metal studs). It seems like everywhere I go to buy lumber, ...
- 799
0
votes
2
answers
139
views
Cedar shims disappeared because of COVID-19
I've been hunting for contractor quality cedar shims - the super-wide kind that easily break along the grain. The big box stores don't have them and neither do the local lumber yards. At one of them I ...
- 1,541
2
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Inexpensive ideas to extend the height of my fence cinderblock wall outdoors
I live in the desert and a local bud of mine used landscape grade timbers that he attached vertically onto the cinderblock wall every 8ft. Then he laid outdoor rated privacy fabric over the timbers ...
- 711
1
vote
1
answer
480
views
Will pressure-treated lumber shrink enough to cause failure of roof flashing around it?
We need to replace the flat roof on our balcony deck. In the process we also need to replace the balcony deck railing.
The salesman for our contractor recommended a wooden railing to match what we ...
- 123
2
votes
2
answers
488
views
White specks on framing lumber
I'm asking about advise\idea\help.
I'm new home buyer in Austin area TX.
I bought a new home in the foundation stage. Now it's in the framing stage.
I found that some lumbers (about 4-5) on the first ...
5
votes
12
answers
2k
views
Are wooden pallets decent wood?
What type of wood are most pallets made from? Are they worth the trouble - removing boards, removing nails, etc?
- 59
0
votes
1
answer
5k
views
How do I fix a wooden retaining wall?
I need suggestions on how to fix my retaining wall.
Is there a quick and cheap way to fix it? Unfortunately, I don't have the money right now to spend on replacing everything.
You will notice that ...
- 145
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
White mold or fungus on PT lumber
I'm building a wooden fence and have a number of 4x4 pressure treated lumber stacked neatly in my garage. I've been pulling posts from the stack as I work on the fence over the last 4 weeks. When I ...
- 543
2
votes
2
answers
1k
views
New Pressure Treated boards are wider than existing ones
I am adding to a deck that is framed with 2"x10" beams and joists.
I bought new Pressure Treated boards to add to it, but have found that the new boards are 9-7/16" versus the 9-1/4&...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Why do exterior decks not use 2x12 or 2x10 lumber?
It is time to replace the exterior decking (mostly cedar, but some planks replaced by Douglas-fir). Alas, the finishing work 12 years ago did not endure; some planks have rotted— particularly at ends ...
- 12.3k
1
vote
0
answers
392
views
what size 2 by lumber should I use to support a swing?
I want to hang a swing in my yard and none of the trees have a suitable branch. I want to run a doubled up PT 2x8 between 2 trees spanning just shy of 10 feet. Will this be strong enough? Should I ...
- 11
0
votes
1
answer
4k
views
4x6 wood swingset beam, single span, center load max lbs?
I'm building a swing set with a 10 ft 4x6 pine beam.
I would like to determine how much active load the beam can support at the center point, or at least minimally how much static load.
I've ...
- 3
0
votes
1
answer
740
views
Measuring angle before cutting?
According to the instructions, I have to make a 21.5 degree cut in a 2x4 piece of lumber.
Here’s a screenshot of the instructions:
My question: can this measurement be done without having to buy a ...
- 2,043