26

Just curious as to the reasoning. Is it a spec, or is it simply for backwards compatibility?

Improve this question
0

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
29

The 2x4 refers to the rough-cut green wood: it shrinks during drying, then the dried wood is planed smooth, so the finished lumber is supposed to end up at 1.5"x3.5". While it doesn't really shrink that much, the mills get more usable finished 2x4's from a given tree if they cut them slightly smaller to begin with.

Here's the Wikipedia article about it.

Improve this answer
2
  • 4
    It doesn't have to be green wood - just rough cut.
    – ChrisF ♦
    Commented Nov 11, 2010 at 20:32
  • I think the type of wood also shrinks differently as well.
    – Engineer2021
    Commented Nov 12, 2010 at 15:24
11

The reason given these days is quite a bunch of BS. The real reason is the lumber mills decided some decades ago to cut green wood smaller - getting more boards out of a log. The shrinkage continues even now as you'll notice all lumber sizes are shrinking even with the "reason" that was sold to the public as to why the boards are not full measurements.

It was in the late 60's, early seventies they started shrinking more and more. The norm prior was you asked for a 1x or 2x and you received a 1x or 2x full plus a 1/16"-1/8". The 1/16" or 1/8" inch additional was given as most would want to plane the boards to the full thickness.

Same was for the width. It was always the full measurement plus an 1/8".

And yes, everyone questioned why the boards where not coming in full anymore. The reason given is what has been spread around and continues to be spread around as truth when in fact it couldn't be farther from the truth.

That's why today, at the time of this writing a 1x is barely over a 1/2".

It's shrunk from 1 1/8" to 1" to 7/8" to 3/4" to 5/8" to .61" at its current state.

The Mills took into account shrinkage when cutting way back. They took into account warpage, and planning to achieve a full 1" thick board.

The excuse they give is like saying the bottle of water you bought is only half full because it evaporated on the way to the store.

Or the extra large shirt you bought shrunk after they washed it before shipping out to the store therefore it's a medium.

It's all BS and you're getting ripped off just like the rest of us, that's why they're not the correct size these days. Sad but.. that's the truth.

Improve this answer
2
  • 2
    I don't know where you get your lumber, but a one-by measures 3/4" here in Minnesota. Framing lumber measures spot on 1-1/2". There is no perpetual shrinking of sizes and hasn't been since the 70s, when there was a transitional period of N-5/8" sizing.
    – isherwood
    Commented Aug 30, 2021 at 12:53
  • 1
    This doesn't actually answer the question, it just rants about the fact that "the reasons are BS".
    – FreeMan
    Commented Jul 21, 2022 at 12:09
9

You might find this interesting: History of Yard Lumber Size Standards

From the summary

Economic pressures among the regional areas of lumber production have resulted in a decrease of standard lumber sizes over the period covered by this history.

It goes into a lot of interesting detail.

Improve this answer
2

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.