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5/4 (five-quarter) lumber is 1.25″ thick when rough sawn. When 5/4 lumber is planed, typically it is finished at 1.063″ thick. 6/4 (six-quarter) lumber is 1.5″ thick when rough sawn.
What is the actual thickness of 5/4 lumber?
Hardwood Lumber Dimensions NOMINAL SIZE ROUGH SIZE ACTUAL SIZE: SURFACED 1 SIDE 5/4 inch 1 1/4 inch 1 1/8 inch (29 mm) 6/4 inch 1 1/2 inch 1 3/8 inch (35 mm) 8/4 inch 2 inches 1 13/16 inch (46 mm) 12/4 inch 3 inches 2 13/16 inch (71 mm).
Why is it called 5 4 board?
Quarters refer to the thickness of rough-sawn lumber measured in ¼-inch increments. Instead of reading it as a fraction, it should be read as a number of quarters: 5/4 is five quarters, 4/4 is four quarters, etc.
What is a 5 quarter board?
It simply refers to how many 1/4-inches thick the rough stock is. For example, 4/4 (read out loud as four-quarters) is 1-in. thick in the rough. 5/4 is 1-1/4-in. thick, 12/4 would be three inches thick.
How far can 5 4 decking span?
Decking Board Considerations Decking boards span from joist to joist. If you use 5/4 decking, joists must be no farther apart than 16 inches. Decking made of 2x4s or 2x6s can span up to 24 inches. If you will run decking at an angle, you might need to put the joists closer together.
Why is lumber not the actual size?
The “nominal” cross-section dimensions of a piece of lumber, such as 2 X 4 or 1 X 6, are always somewhat larger than the actual, or dressed, dimensions. 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.
Can I use 2×6 for deck boards?
Wood decking is commonly available in 2×6 and 5/4 x 6 profiles. 5/4 x 6 is produced specifically for decking and is milled with a radius edge or bull nose. 2×6 is thicker and is stronger, but is also more expensive. Spacing between deck boards provide a few critical functions.
What thickness should deck boards be?
NOTE: Standard boards are often called a 5/4 board when referring to traditional lumber, which means the actual thickness is typically somewhere between 1” and 1 ¼”. Thicker boards are often called a 2 x 6 when referring to traditional lumber, which means the actual thickness is somewhere between 1.2” and 1.5”.
What does FAS mean in lumber?
FAS: (first and second grade) This stands for the highest grade of lumber. FAS grade includes some defects but is considered the premier lumber for furniture and cabinet making.
What lengths do 5 4 boards come in?
The nominal dimensions of lumber are commonly based on the rough cut size before being planed smooth on all four faces.Deck Board Sizes and Actual Dimensions. Common Deck Board Sizes Nominal Dimensions Actual Dimensions 5/4 x 6 1 x 5½” 2 x 4 1½” x 3½” 2 x 6 1½” x 5½”.
How thick is a 2×4?
A piece of surfaced (sanded smooth) 2×4 lumber actually measures 1½ inches thick and 3½ inches wide. In rough-cut condition, a 2×4 is slightly less than 2 inches thick and approximately 4 inches wide. When wood is milled from a rough to a smooth surface, it loses about ¼-inch from each of its four sides.
What are the dimensions of 4 4 lumber?
A board foot is 12″ X 12″ X 1″. A “quarter” system is commonly used in the hardwood lumber industry when referring to thickness. 4/4 refers to a 1 inch thick board, 6/4 is 1-1/2 inch, 8/4 is 2 inches, and so on.
Can you use 4×2 for decking frame?
4 x 2 Timber Rail / Joist. These decking joists are the most common sized framing timber for decking. They provide a solid structure for fixing your decking boards too. When making your decking frame you should use a 400mm spacing between your timber joists.
Do you screw decking at every joist?
Each deck board should be fastened with two screws at each point where the board crosses a joist to ensure the stability and durability of your deck’s surface. Boards should be fastened to rim joists with three screws.
Do I need to leave a gap between decking boards?
When installing decking boards, make sure to leave 1/4 to 1/8 inch gaps in between them. This gap will make sure that the decking can breathe, have sufficient drainage, and make it easier to clean.
How thick is a 4×6?
Nominal vs. Actual Measurements of Dimension Lumber Nominal Size Actual Size 2 x 12 1 1/2 x 11 1/4 inches (38 x 286 mm) 4 x 4 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (89 x 89 mm) 4 x 6 3 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches (89 x 140 mm) 6 x 6 5 1/2 x 5 12 inches (140 x 140 mm).
Can you buy actual size lumber?
Actual Lumber Sizes Actual size is as actual and real as if you were using a tape measure or a straight edge to measure the dimensions of the stock. Actual size is anywhere from 1/4 inch to 3/4 inch less than nominal size.
When did they stop using true 2×4?
This pressured further compromise because thinner 2x4s were a way to compete in price with wood alternatives. Size standards, maximum moisture content, and nomenclature were agreed upon only as recently as 1964. The nominal 2×4 thus became the actual 1½ x 3½, imperceptibly, a fraction of an inch at a time.
