Does lumber mean wood?

lumber, collective term for harvested wood, whether cut into logs, heavy timbers, or members used in light-frame construction. Lumber is classified as hardwood or softwood. The term often refers specifically to the products derived from logs in a sawmill.

Why do Americans say lumber instead of timber?

Timber is uncut trees that are more or less suitable for creating wooden material for building. Lumber is cut timber that has been milled into pieces usable for various types of construction. Finished wood products that are ready for the consumer to nail up are collectively referred to as lumber.

What is the major difference between wood and timber?

Wood is the tough, fibrous material which makes up the tree under the bark, whereas timber might be defined as a wood which retains its natural bodily structure and chemical composition and is suitable for various engineering works.

Is plywood considered lumber?

Plywood is a manufactured wood product that is made from multiple layers or plies of thin solid wood that are glued together to form a panel of a specific thickness. This enhances both the strength and dimensional stability of the plywood. There is usually an odd number of plies in a sheet of plywood.

Is timber a hardwood?

Uses of Softwood and Hardwood In many cases, hardwoods and softwoods are both used for many of the same purposes. As such they make up the majority of all wood used in the world, with about 80\% of timber being a softwood.

Why is lumber smaller than the size it says?

The reason is that dressed lumber has been surfaced or planed smooth on four sides (called S4S). The nominal measurement is made before the lumber is surfaced. The answer is in board feet. Lumber is often priced in board feet.

What is the difference between timber and plywood?

Key difference: Timber can be used to refer to any stage of the wood after the tree has been cut down. Plywood is a type of manufactured wood panel. It is made by gluing together plywood layers, also called veneers. Timber can be used to refer to any stage of the wood after the tree has been cut down.

What are the 2 main types of wood?

There are two categories of wood: hardwood and softwood. The lumber industry uses a scale called the Janka Rating System to measure and rank the relative hardness of wood. Hickory is the hardest, commercially available common wood. Next in line are pecan, hard maple and white oak.

Why is plywood cheaper than wood?

Plywood goes for about $15-$30 for a 4×8 sheet. This makes it cheaper than natural wood. Thickness, quality and special treatment of the sheet are all factors in the price. High grade plywood, treated for moisture protection can easily fetch north of $60 for a 4×8 sheet.