L U M B E R T E R M S



4/4 - Four quarter, approximately 1″ thick rough
5/4 - Five quarter, approximately 1-1/4″ thick rough
6/4 - Six quarter, approximately 1-1/2″ thick rough
8/4 - Eight quarter, approximately 2″ thick rough
12/4 - Twelve quarter, approximately 3″ thick rough

Linear Feet (LF) – The measurement of the length in a board. One lineal foot is one foot in length, regardless of width or thickness.

Board Foot (BF) – A board foot is actually a measure of volume, one square foot by one inch thick. To figure board footage, (width in inches x length in feet x thickness in inches) divided by 12. 

e.g. 6”x10’x1” divided by 12 = 5 

Kiln Dry (KD) - Kiln-dried wood is wood that has been dried in an oven (kiln). You can control the environment such as temperature, humidity, and steam levels for a set period of time. Allowing you to dry wood to the desired moisture content faster than air-drying. KD hardwood has a moisture rating of 6%-10%

Steamed – This term refers to a special process in which the green lumber (usually walnut or cherry) is steamed in vats for the purpose of darkening sapwood to blend with heartwood color

Random Widths and Lengths (RWL) – Hardwood lumber is cut to yield the maximum of usable material and minimize waste. Both widths and lengths are, therefore, random and even the best grades allow occasional defects.

FAS - First and Seconds, FAS is the highest grade of hardwood lumber. It is typically defect free although some defects are allowed. 

Quarter-Sawn (QTR) – A method of cutting lumber where the annual rings are relatively perpendicular to the face of the board. Advantages in quarter sawing: lumber is more dimensionally stable due to reduced shrinkage, twisting, checking, cupping and splitting.

Rift-Sawing (RFT) – Rift-sawing is midway between quarter -sawing and plain sawing. It offers the same figure consistency as quarter-sawing but develops a more subtle grain figure.

Vertical Grain (VG) – A softwood term meaning the grain on quarter sawn boards ; close ring grain

Rough sawn (RGH) - Indicates that the specified material is being sold as it came off the saw. It is in its “rough” state. This material is not planer-finished and will have no jointed edges.

S2S - Meaning Surfaced 2 Sides is a description of surface finish material, usually pertaining to hardwood species. It indicates that two faces have been planed.

S3S -  Meaning Surfaced 3 Sides, which, as used in hardwood lumber descriptions, indicates that two faces have been planed, and one edge has been processed with a straight-line rip saw.

S4S - S4S Meaning Surfaced all 4 Sides. Which indicates  both faces and both edges of a board have a planer-finish.