Let us talk about framing lumber. Most of the lumber used around the Tri-state area for walls, is basically spruce pine or fir. These are typically stamped on the lumber. You will see SPF. A lot of floor joints that are used are yellow pine, great lumber, nice and strong and it is characteristically got a yellow tinged to it. For example, if you are getting ready to use outside lumber, it is very common to use redwood. Redwood and cedar are both good lumbers for outside projects and they are both naturally rot resistant.
Redwood of course has got the characteristic red color. Cedar, you will notice has got a nice brownish tone to it. Now, you can find a really good lumber, for example, matching old porch boards, Douglas fir. Try to find one that has got beautiful vertical graining like you see in this particular piece. Interior projects, if you are getting ready to do doors, you might either find white pine or poplar, both very popular woods and of course the trim. The base board, trim around windows and doors, same thing. You will commonly find the poplar is a good choice for this particular job because it either stains well or you can get a paint grade variety.
The forest here in North America, they are abundant and growing. For every tree that we harvest, we plant three in its place and guess what? We have 20% more trees than we did 25 years ago on the first Earth Day. Woods are really good material. I enjoy using them on my projects and you should too.
If you want to discover more home improvement tips, go to AsktheBuilder.com.
Transcription by:
Scribe4you Transcription Services