Chapter B1 Lumber Overview

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1 Chapter B1 Lumber Overview

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4 BUILDING MATERIAL PRODUCT KNOWLEDGE (BMPK) Chapters Available Chapter B1 Lumber Overview Chapter B2. Lumber - Use in Construction Chapter B3... Wood Based Panel Products Chapter B4.. Insulation Chapter B5 Siding/Soffit Systems Chapter B6.. Roofing Chapter B7 Windows Chapter B8.. Doors Chapter B9. Millwork Chapter B10 Interior Surfaces Chapter B11. Paint/Decorating Products Chapter B12. Kitchen/Bath Cabinets Chapter B13. Hardware and Fasteners Chapter B14... Agricultural Buildings/Products Chapter B15 Miscellaneous

5 Dear Student: Your success as a building supply salesperson or employee will be measured not only by net profit, but also by the number of customers who will return, time and time again, to your store. As you begin to increase your product knowledge, you will increase your self-confidence as well. You will also have more confidence in dealing with your customers and your ability to help them make the right purchases. This confidence helps to build repeat sales. This correspondence course has proven to be the most successful product knowledge course of its kind. We have attempted to write in the same way you talk to your customers. We have used complex, technical terms for areas that cannot be simplified. Once you have successfully completed the BMPK you will become one of the many employees who have received the Certificate of Completion. Each month s graduates are listed in the CRHA Reporter Newsletter as well as the Do-It Yourself Retailing Magazine. This not only acknowledges your accomplishment to your employer and peers, as well as all of the members of the Canadian Retail Hardware Association, but also to the North American hardlines industry. Our industry continues to grow and expand. With new and better products continually coming into the market, your increased product knowledge will help secure your place in the industry. But you must continue to maintain your quality of working knowledge of these new products. THANK YOU AND GOOD SELLING

6 KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Put your product knowledge to work Knowledge is of questionable value until it is put to use. When you learn something about how to sell, put it to work by applying the knowledge immediately. Keep searching for more selling tips Don t limit your study to this lesson or course. Read Do-It Yourself Retailing Magazine and other trade magazines each month. They are filled with many tips and ideas to make you a better salesperson. Read manufacturers manual and tags Most products have sales pointers and product features right on a sales tag or manual that goes with the item. Read and study them. Point out such useful features to your next customer. Ask sales reps for demonstrations When manufacturers reps visit your store, listen to any sales tips they suggest. Ask for sales demonstrations. Volunteer for extra training If management is looking for a volunteer for attendance at seminar or workshops that are offered by manufacturers or wholesalers, put in your name. Attend, listen, then put what you learn to work. Keep at it Like anything else, selling improves with practice. Try new approaches. Customers are changing. You ll have to change your approach to serve them. Watch other salespeople Everyone has a different selling technique. Watch others. Adopt selling ideas that you think are good. Use the Association s sales aids We have enclosed a list of the other products available through CRHA. Look them over. Order anything you read about that you feel would improve your future.

7 HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS COURSE 1. Start with a topic that interests you and complete the chapters in whatever sequence you want they don t have to be done in order. 2. Be committed, set aside time each day this is your knowledge and future that you are working on. 3. Set reasonable attainable goals, aim to complete a chapter each week or two. 4. Keep at it, the more chapters you complete, the better your product knowledge. As a bonus, your sales will increase. 5. The course should take no more than 6 months to complete. 6. Share your knowledge with other staff who are taking the program at the same time. If you have trouble with a section, try working it out together. By working as a team, everybody wins! GOOD LUCK!

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9 CHAPTER B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Canada s forests make up about 10 percent of the world s forest land and cover an area larger than France, Spain and Portugal combined. Canadian softwoods: the conifers also known as evergreens or needle-leafed trees have a reserve of 12,800 million cubic metres (m 3 ). Canadian hardwoods: the deciduous also known as broad-leaf or broadleaf trees have a reserve of 5,300 million m 3. You ll sell mostly softwood lumber so that is the one you should know the most about. Strangely, softwood lumber is not necessarily softer than hardwood lumber. There are hardwood species with softer wood than some softwood species and vice-versa. But for the woods used for building homes the hardwoods are usually harder than the softwoods. COMMON CHARACTERISTICS We ll be reviewing softwoods and hardwoods separately, but there are common characteristics. Not to get too technical, but there are differences in lumber quality based on how a log is sawn into lumber. Knowing this may help you to recommend the proper product to your customers and prevent them from being disappointed with your advice. This chapter is based on information generally available from: Canadian Institute of Treated Wood, Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board, Canadian Wood Council, Council of Forest Industries, National Lumber Grades Authority and Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. summerwood. Springwood is wider than summerwood because it is formed in the spring and grows faster and therefore less dense, than the summerwood. Lumber having more summerwood at the surface will wear better under foot traffic, for example and is stronger. A log can be cut to make flat grain, which doesn t wear as well (and usually costs less) as the piece cut to make edge or vertical grain (see Flat and Edge Grain on the following page). Often it doesn t matter which grain is used, but for flooring, or truck beds, etc., edge grain will give more satisfaction. CROSS SECTION OF A TREE Annual rings start at the centre of the tree and continue out to the bark. Each annual ring is one year s growth. The annual ring has two parts. The light coloured section is called springwood and a darker section is called B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

10 SAPWOOD AND HEARTWOOD As the number of annual rings increases, those nearest the centre receive less nourishment and become inactive usually changing to a darker colour. Heartwood and sapwood may be about equal in strength but heartwood usually is more resistant to rot and decay. MANUFACTURING FLAT AND EDGE GRAIN Trees are felled, cut to certain lengths and brought from the forest to a sawmill. Huge saws cut logs according to the product wanted. They may be sawn into timbers, dimension lumber, boards, or other shapes and sizes. The lumber is still rough as it leaves the saw. Some saws can saw fairly smooth lumber, but most lumber used for houses goes through planers to size and smooth it. Most lumber used in homes is dried to a moisture content much below that of freshly sawn lumber. Two common methods are in use. Air drying is simply stacking the lumber outside with spacer boards between rows and waiting for nature to evaporate the free water in lumber. This takes months to years depending on conditions. Kiln drying is placing lumber in large temperature controlled buildings called kilns. Heat is added, much like in a giant oven, to drive the moisture out faster and more evenly. This method is more expensive but common. This lumber is called kiln-dried and is noted in the grade stamp. It is usually limited to lumber 2" and thinner though some 4" material may be kiln dried. If lumber installed in homes is too wet it will continue to shrink as it dries out. Since other building products won t shrink, problems occur. Nails pop and seams wrinkle or tear in drywall. Doors don t close properly and much more. The National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) requires that lumber used in building construction is dried to a 19% moisture content or less. A few words about the NBCC. The NBCC is Canada s model building code, meaning that it is a code that has been well thought out and put together and is available for provinces or local governments to adopt for use in their jurisdictions. Most jurisdictions adopt at least most of the NBCC. However, before you make any building construction recommendations to your customers, it is essential that you review your building code requirements with your local building code authority. Building officials will be more than pleased to discuss the building code approved for use in your area. GRADING AND DEFECTS After lumber is planed, it is graded for quality according to defects. Some common names of defects for hardwoods and softwoods are: Check - Wood separation along the length of the grain. Decay - Rotting of the wood usually caused by fungi and/or moisture. Knots - Many kinds of knots classified by size from pin knots to large knots greater than 1 1 / 2" in diameter. Pitch - Resin accumulated in the wood cells making a patchy appearance. Split - Wood separated length-wise completely through from one face to the other. Wane - Bark, or no wood at the corner or edge of lumber. Warp - Twisting or uneven shape of lumber. Depending on how it warps, it has the following names (see Examples of Warp on the following page): Bow - The wide surface is true across the face but is curved along the length. Crook - The narrow face is true across the face but is curved along the length. Cup - The wide surface is curved across the face. Twist - All four planes are curved in a spiral like way. There are several other natural and manufactured defects than those listed here. The more severe and frequent the defects, the more the strength of the wood is affected. 2 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

11 EXAMPLES OF WARP of the softwood dimension lumber will be grade stamped since it is mainly used for structural purposes. SOFTWOOD LUMBER INTRODUCTION Lumber is a general term which includes boards, dimension lumber and timber. This section provides an overview of lumber products used in construction and for structural framing. In the context of North American construction materials, it usually refers to wood originating from softwood species of trees. The thinnest sizes are known as boards, the similar but thicker sizes as dimension lumber, and in the larger sizes as timbers. The table below identifies the various categories of Canadian lumber and identifies the types of products in the three general groupings. Lumber used for finishing, appearance and nonstructural purposes can be whatever the customer is satisfied with. But lumber used for structural purposes must meet structural requirements. Building codes require grade stamped lumber for these purposes. This lumber is graded to a national standard reflecting the defect severity and frequency. Your store will probably have some non-graded or appearance graded hardwood lumber as it is rarely used for structural purposes. Most, or all, Canadian lumber is graded according to Standard Grading Rules for Canadian Lumber written by the National Lumber Grades Authority (NLGA). Grading means that each piece of lumber is visually inspected and a grade is assigned (via a grade mark or stamp ) depending on a number of characteristics such as slope of grain, size and location of knots and a number of other visual (appearance) requirements. The NLGA grade rule standard is approved by the Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board (CLSAB). And 16 grading agencies (also approved by CLSAB) certify that mill graded lumber meets the NLGA and CLSAB requirements. Boards range in thickness from 1" to 1 1 / 2" (nominal) or 8 mm to 32 mm in thickness and are used for a range of rough and finished products such as packaging, crating, panelling, OVERVIEW OF CANADIAN LUMBER PRODUCTS Boards Dimension Lumber Timber Light Framing Studs Structural Light Framing Structural Joists and Planks Selects Commons Sheathing and Form Lumber Stress Rated Boards Specialties: Panelling, Siding, Flooring, Mouldings. etc. Beams and Stringers Posts and Timbers B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

12 siding, flooring, mouldings, etc. Dimension lumber ranges in thickness from 2" to 4" (nominal) or 38 mm to 89 mm and is used for framing applications such as joists, planks, rafters, studs and small posts or beams. Timber is lumber 6" (nominal) or 140 mm or more in its smallest dimension. Beams and Stringers are timbers used as bending members and are more than 2" (51 mm) wider than they are thick. Posts and Timbers are used as compression members and are no more than 2" (51 mm) in difference between width and thickness. As defined for building construction, decking is lumber laid on its wide face to form a roof or wall surface. SPECIES NLGA s current grading rules allows for the grading of 31 Canadian species. The grades may also be applied to hardwood species manufactured for applications where softwood species are ordinarily employed. The table below identifies the commercial (and other) common names, the botanical name and the stamp identification of the species when it is graded as a single species. Unless you have a specific interest, don t worry about the botanical name as it is highly unlikely that any of your customers will want to discuss species differences to that detail. Also, we will discuss grade stamps in greater detail on some of the pages that follow. Commercial Common Names (Other Common Names) Eastern White Cedar (Northern White Cedar) Western Red Cedar (Red Cedar) Yellow Cedar (Yellow Cypress) LIST OF CANADIAN SPECIES INCLUDED IN THE NLGA GRADING RULES Botanical Name Thuja occidentalis Thuja plicata Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Stamp Identification East White Cedar (N) or EW Cedar (N) WR Cedar (N) Commercial Common Names (Other Common Names) Botanical Name Red Pine Pinus resinosa R Pine Western White Pine (Idaho White Pine) Pinus monticola Stamp Identification WW Pine Y Cedar (N) Whitebark Pine Pinus albicaulis WB Pine Alpine Fir Abies lasiocarpa Alpine Fir (N) or Ap Fir (N) Black Spruce Picea mariana B Spr (N) Amabilis Fir Abies amabilis Am Fir (N) Coast Sitka Spruce Picea sitchensis C Sitka (Sitka Spruce) Balsam Fir Abies balsamea B Fir (N) Engelmann Spruce Picea englemannii E Spr (N) Douglas Fir Pseudotsuga menziesli D Fir (N) Red Spruce Picea rubens R Spr (N) Grand Fir Abies grandis G Fir (N) White Spruce Picea glauca W Spr (N) Eastern Hemlock Tsuga canadensis East Hemlock (N) or E Hem (N) Western White Spruce Picea glauca WW Spr Western Hemlock (Pacific Coast Tsuga heterophylla W Hem (N) Tamarack Larix laricina Tam (N) Hemlock) Western Larch Larix occidentalis Larch (N) Red Alder Alnus ruba Alder (N) Eastern White Pine Pinus strobus East White Pine or EW Pine Aspen Poplar (Trembling Aspen) Populus tremuloide Aspen (N) Largetooth Aspen Populus grandidentata Jack Pine Pinus banksiana J Pine (N) White Birch Betula papyrifera W Birch Lodgepole Pine Pinus contorta L Pine (N) Black Cottonwood Ponderosa Pine (Yellow Pine) (N) = North Pinus ponderosa P Pine Balsam Poplar Populus trichocarpa Populus balsamifera B Cot B Pop 4 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

13 SPECIES GROUPS The NLGA rules provide for the grading of individual species as this may be required for specific end uses. However, most construction and structural lumber is graded as a number of species combined into a species group. A number of Canadian timber species are grown, harvested, manufactured and marketed together and have similar structural performance properties which make them interchangeable for construction and structural use. In addition, some species cannot be visually separated in lumber form. Therefore, for the purpose of identification and standardization, certain species are given a common designation on grade stamps. The various species combinations are identified in the Canadian Species Groups table (below) as are the commercial designation and the stamp identification. grouped together for the assignment of design values, round out the list of commercial species for Canadian lumber. General characteristics of several Canadian species are shown in the table on the following page. Canadian lumber which has been graded in accordance with the requirements of the NLGA rules will be marked with a grade stamp, containing the information as shown in the Representative Grade Stamp figure below. Such stamps are applied to each individual piece of lumber about 2' from an end. REPRESENTATIVE GRADE STAMP The Spruce-Pine-Fir (S-P-F) species group makes up by far the largest proportion of dimension lumber as the species in this group grow throughout most of Canada. The other major species groups for lumber are Douglas Fir-Larch and Hem-Fir. Several other species, generally referred to as minor species, and CANADIAN SPECIES GROUPS Species in Combination Commercial Designation Stamp Identification Douglas Fir Western Larch Western Hemlock Amabilis Fir White Spruce Engelmann Spruce Black Spruce Red Spruce Lodgepole Pine Jack Pine Alpine Fir Balsam Fir Eastern Hemlock Tamarak Pacific Coast Yellow Western Red Cedar Aspen Poplar Largetooth Aspen Balsam Poplar Douglas Fir-Larch Hem-Fir Coast Sitka Spruce Any Canadian species covered by the NLGA Rule Douglas Fir-Larch Hem-Fir Spruce-Pine-Fir Eastern Hemlock-Tamarak Western Cedars Northern Aspen Coast Species Northern Species D Fir-L (N) Hem-Fir (N) S-P-F or Spruce-Pine-Fir Hem-Tam (N) W Cedar (N) N. Aspen Coast Species North Species or N. Species B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

14 GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SEVERAL CANADIAN SPECIES Species Characteristics Colour Ranges Douglas fir high degree of hardness reddish brown to yellowish Western Larch good resistance to decay Western Hemlock works easily yellow brown to white Amablis Fir takes paint well holds nails well good gluing characteristics S-P-F species works easily takes paint well holds nails well Western red cedar exceptional resistance to decay moderate strength high in appearance qualities works easily takes fine finishes lowest shrinkage white to pale yellow reddish brown heartwood light colour sapwood Red pine works easily reddish to pale brown heartwood Ponderosa pine takes finish well pale yellow colour sapwood holds nails well holds screws well seasons with little checking or cupping Western white pine Eastern white pine Trembling aspen Largetooth aspen Balsam poplar softest of Canadian pines works easily finishes well doesn t tend to split or splinter holds nails well low shrinkage takes stains, paints, varnishes well works easily finishes well holds nails well creamy white to light straw brown heartwood almost white sapwood almost white to greyish-white The representative grade mark on the previous page identifies the information required to be included on a grade stamp. As mentioned earlier there are 16 CLSAB approved lumber grading agencies in Canada. The figure Representative Canadian Grade Stamps on the next page shows a facsimile of each of these approved agencies. After you have reviewed the grade information found in the remainder of this chapter you should return to this figure and review the grades and other information contained in the marks. Out of interest, a few more words about grading agencies. In Canada and the United States there are six rules writing agencies, one of them is NLGA and 5 are US based agencies. Each of these agencies have developed grading rules based on the appropriate Canadian and US requirements. The American Lumber Standards Board of Review, the US equivalent to Canada s CLSAB, has approved the use of the NLGA rules as the basis of acceptable lumber for use in the US. One more thing. The NLGA and the five US grading rules are identical for dimension lumber. Remember, these identical rules are for 6 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

15 REPRESENTATIVE CANADIAN GRADE STAMPS (and agency location) dimension lumber which we will see is Light Framing, Stud, Structural Light Framing and Structural Joist and Plank. All other grade rules for other grade categories (such as boards, fingerjoined lumber, MSR lumber, timbers, etc.) are not identical among the various rules writing agencies. MOISTURE CONTENT Before reviewing lumber sizes, let s look at the effect moisture content has on size. Moisture content (MC) is the weight of water contained in the wood as compared to the wood s weight when oven-dry. A change in the size of lumber is related to the amount of water the wood loses or absorbs. When a tree is cut, it s natural moisture content can range from about 40% to over 100%. This moisture/water is contained in two sections: the cell cavities (the hollow sections that at are surrounded by the wood fibre); and, the wood fibre. As wood dries the water in the cell cavities is the first to evaporate. This is then followed by the water within in the wood fibre. B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

16 How does this sequence of drying affect the size? During the first stage as the cell cavity water evaporates there is no change in the size, it is just the free water in the cavities evaporating. However, when the MC reaches 28%, the free water within the cavities has evaporated and the drying is now the evaporating of the water from within the wood fibre itself. This results in the shrinking of the size of the wood fibre. (The 28% MC level is technically known as the fibre saturation point FSP.) So, wood shrinks when it is drying and swells when it becomes wet. At what point does shrinkage or swelling of the size stop? The answer is at 28% MC or the FSP. The grading rules and the building codes identify dry as 19%. However, you must remember that as lumber dries below 19% it continues to shrink. In fact, within a warm dry house in winter the MC of the wood could be as low as 8% to 10% and in summer where it is warmer along with a much higher humidity the MC of the wood could be as high as 14% to 16%. The size of wood is continually changing. This is one reason why wood components are easy to open at times and sticky to open at other times. LUMBER SIZES The grading rules have identified 19% as being the dividing line between wet and dry. Therefore, lumber stamped S-Grn (surfaced green) is lumber which had a moisture content exceeding 19% (unseasoned) at time of manufacture. Lumber stamped S-Dry is lumber that was surfaced at a maximum moisture content of 19% (seasoned) or less. In Imperial measurement the stated size of lumber is called its nominal size and the nominal size is not the actual size. For example: one nominal (stated) size is 2"x4" (or 2x4), but the actual size (dry) is 1 1 / 2"x3 1 / 2". The piece when first cut was approximately 2"x4" but after drying and planing it is smaller. How much smaller depends on whether the lumber is green (not dried) or if it's been dried to a moisture content of 19%. As you learned in the previous section you would expect green lumber to be slightly larger than dry lumber. Therefore, the green size has been chosen so as to be the same size as the dry size when the green lumber has dried to a MC of 19%. The tables below identify the various sizes of boards, dimension lumber and timbers. Rough Sawn Sizes (nominal) (in.) BOARD SIZES Surfaced Size (actual) (in.) Surfaced Size (actual) mm 5 / / / / / / / / / / and greater as dimension lumber Rough Sawn Size (nominal) (in.) 2" DIMENSION LUMBER SIZES Surfaced Green Size (S-Grn) (in.) Surfaced Dry Size (S-Dry) (in.) Surfaced Dry Size (S-Dry) mm / / / / / / / / / / / / / / Note: 2" nominal lumber is readily available as S-Dry. Rough Sawn Sizes (nominal) (in.) TIMBER SIZES Surfaced Size (actual) (in.) Surfaced Size (actual) mm / / / / / / / Note: Timbers are surfaced (dressed) and sold green. 8 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

17 SURFACE SMOOTHNESS Lumber is manufactured to three general levels of surface smoothness. Rough lumber is lumber which has been sawn, trimmed and edged. The saw blades used for mass manufacturing are coarse toothed for speed of production and, as a result, rough lumber is usually characterized by striations or saw lines. Surfaced lumber is lumber which has been surfaced after sawing by passing through a planing machine for the purpose of adding smoothness and uniformity of size on one side (S1S), two sides (S2S), four sides (S4S), or a combination of sides and edges. Worked lumber is surfaced lumber which has been further shaped by a jointer or moulder to be matched (tongue and groove), shiplapped, or patterned into a moulding shape. BOARDS Remember, there are 3 main categories of softwood lumber: boards, dimension and timbers. We will now discuss boards and will follow with discussions on dimension and timbers. THICKNESS Most boards sold are 3 / 4" in actual thickness though some boards 5 / 8 " or even 5 / 16 " are sold, for drawer sides, or hobby work, etc. Boards can be thicker than 1" nominal. When they are and graded under the board category, they are called 5/4 ("five-quarter" for 1 1 / 4") or 6/4 ("six-quarter" for 1 1 / 2"). These pieces might be used in making trim, cabinets, stair treads and many other uses. It s common to carry 5/4 (nominal) softwood in finish grades. The grading rules allow boards to be up to 16/4 in thickness, but anything over 6/4 in a home centre/lumberyard is unusual. WIDTH In the board category any width from 2" and wider is acceptable. Usually stores stock 1x2, 1x3, 1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 1x10 and 1x12. They might have from 1 to 3 grades of each size depending on demand. In the thicker boards it s common to buy S2S lumber (lumber surfaced on 2 sides, not on the edges). Then it s often bought random width which means just the way it comes from the sawmill. LENGTH Most lumber comes in uniform lengths, whether it s boards, dimension, or timbers. Starting at 6' and going in even foot lengths up to 26' and more. Most stores have lumber available in even foot lengths from 8' to 16' and, depending on the market, possible up to 26'. GRADES AND USES Under the NLGA grading rules, boards are divided into four main categories Selects, Commons, Sheathing and Form and Stress- Rated. Each category is then divided into a number of grades based on quality and/or use. The Grades and Uses of Boards - All Species table on the next page provides a breakdown of the grades and the primary uses of each of the grades. (Western Red Cedar has different categories and grades and we will discuss them in a moment.) To confuse matters a little, you will note (from the notes to the table) that western white, eastern white and red pine (WW Pine, EW Pine and R Pine) may use species specific grade and/or product names for the Select product. Most stores will likely have at least one of the three Select grades. However, the sawmill or lumber broker may market something similar but different. For example, the mill, because of limited production, market conditions, or any reason of their own, may decide to market a category called D & Better. This means almost every piece of lumber in that shipment may be D grade, the lowest grade of the three grades, or, all C grade, or all B grade. Your lumber buyer will try to get the highest mix of grades they can at the lowest price. The mill representative may claim that the shipment will contain 10% B, 50% C and 40% D. Your buyer has to decide if the price is favourable for the mix. A mill or broker also has an interest in seeing that the store gets the best mix possible, if they want to keep them for a future customer. B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

18 GRADES AND USES OF BOARDS - ALL SPECIES Product Grades Principal Uses Selects (Rough or Surfaced) Commons (Rough or Surfaced) Sheathing and Form (Rough or Surfaced) (Shiplap or Tongue and Groove) Stress-Rated B & Better - 1 and 2 Clear (Supreme - WW Pine) C Select (Choice - WW Pine) D Select (Quality - WW Pine) Stained Select 1 Common (Colonial - WW Pine) 2 Common (Sterling - WW Pine) 3 Common (Standard - WW Pine) 4 Common (Utility - WW Pine) 5 Common (Industrial - WW Pine) Select Merchantable Construction Standard Utility Economy Many pieces are absolutely clear. Is not usually stocked but may be ordered when the ultimate in fine appearance is required. Recommended for all finishing uses where fine appearance is essential. Widely used for high quality interior trim and cabinet work with natural, stain or enamel finishes. Frequently blended with B & Better grade and marketed as C & Better Select. Is suitable where the requirements for finishing is less exacting. Many pieces have a finish appearance on one side, the reverse side may have larger or more numerous characteristics. Is as D Select except all degrees of stain are admitted. The ultimate in fine appearance. Is not usually stocked but may be ordered when the ultimate in fine appearance of knotty material is required. Interior exposed uses such as panelling, shelving and other uses where a knotty appearance is required. Exterior uses for siding, cornice, soffits, fascia, etc. Used for a large range of building purposes where appearance and strength are both important such as: shelving, panelling and siding. Suited for fences, boxes, dunnage, sheathing and many other industrial uses. Used for general construction purposes such as: sub-floors, roof and wall sheathing, concrete forms, low cost fencing, crating and similar types of construction. Used for general construction purposes where appearance and strength are not basic requirements. Pieces are graded primarily for serviceability but are not usually of fine appearance. Stress rated boards (1 1 / 2" and thinner) are graded as dimension e.g. Light Framing, Structural Light Framing, Studs and Joist and Planks. Special rules apply for the grade marks including the marking of SRB to identify it as a Stress-Rated Board. Notes: 1. Western white pine (WW Pine) grades may be identified by its own grade designations. 2. Eastern white pine (EW Pine) and red pine (R Pine) may be graded under separate NLGA rules. If this is done then the grade requirements for Select and Common are very similar to all species and Select - B & Better - 1 and 2 Clear is identified as Clear - B and Better. These hybrid grades can be put together for dimension lumber and boards. It s especially prevalent in mill specific type of products used for decks and fences as distributors coin their own name for a mix of grades to offer their customers appropriate material for fences and decks at the best price possible. The Select product boards are relatively expensive so their main use is for cabinets, trim, or hobby work where appearance is important. Many customers want lumber without any knots or defects, which would be one of these grades. Upon hearing the price they often settle for a Common board. 10 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

19 Product Bevel Siding Pattern Siding Clear Finish WESTERN RED CEDAR PRODUCTS Category Clear Knotty Knotty- Rabbetted Knotty- Wavy Edged Thickness (nominal) (in.) Width (nominal) (in.) 1 / 2, 3 / 4 4, 6, 8, 10 5 / 8, 11 / 16, 3 / 4, 7 / 8 6, 8, 10, 12 3 / 4, 5 / 4 6, 8, 10 7 / 8 10, 12 Clear 1 4, 6, 8 Knotty 1 4, 6, 8 Boards 1 1 / 2, 1, 5/4, 2 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 Fence Boards 1 6, 8, 10 Roof Decking 2, 3, 4 6, 8 Outdoor Decking Panelling Clear 5/4, 2 4, 6 Knotty 5/4, 2 4, 6 Clear Knotty 1 / 2, 1 4, 6, 8 1 / 2, 1 4, 6, 8 Grade Clear V.G. Heart A Rustic B C Proprietary Select Knotty Quality Knotty Proprietary Select Knotty Quality Knotty Select Knotty Quality Knotty Clear Heart A B Select Knotty Quality Knotty Standard and Better Proprietary Clear Heart A B Select Knotty Quality Knotty Standard and Better Select Knotty Quality Knotty Rustic Select Commercial Architect Clear Custom Clear Contractor Clear Architect Knotty Custom Knotty Contractor Knotty Clear Heart A B Select Knotty Quality Knotty Notes: 1. Siding is available kiln-dried or air dried with smooth or sawtextured surface. Factory primed is also available. 2. Panelling is available kiln-dried with smooth or saw-textured surface. 3. Grade descriptions are given in the NLGA grading rules. Grade descriptions of proprietary products are available from the manufacturer. Common boards are boards that include enough blemishes or defects to make them unsuitable for work where appearance is important. They are suitable for utility and construction use where appearance is secondary. It s common for stores to handle two or maybe three of the common grades, but not all five, unless market conditions warrant. 2 Common is a popular grade for those people who need a pretty good board but don t want to pay for a select product. A store often has either a 3 Common or a 4 Common for the customer who just wants a general type board. One final comment on board products. Boards are not generally used for structural purposes. As a result, there are numerous board type products that may or may not meet or be graded to the NLGA rules. This is particularly true for the higher valued products where a manufacturer has developed their own proprietary product. If your store stocks these products make sure you obtain and understand the manufacturers appropriate product literature. WESTERN RED CEDAR As mentioned earlier and as will be discussed further in several other chapters of this course, Western Red Cedar has several characteristics, including its natural resistance to decay, that makes it a species very different from other Canadian species. As a result the NLGA grading rules provide a number of rules specifically for a broad range of Western Red Cedar products. The Western Red Cedar Products table provides a listing of a range of WRC products, categories, sizes B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

20 and grades that may be available in your area. If WRC products are a major item in your store, contact the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association and request copies of their literature covering product guides, technical information (paint and stain finishing concepts, installation guides, etc.), design ideas, etc. STANDARD PATTERNS The NLGA publishes, in their standard grading rules, patterns: shapes of panelling, siding, shiplap, flooring, etc., most commonly produced by Canadian manufacturers. A store can order pine siding, pattern 2(130), for example, from any member mill and be assured of getting the same shape. However, understand that the dimensions of the patterns may vary according to the manufacturer. When specifying, close attention must be given to sizes stated. If someone brings in a piece of softwood board siding, panelling, etc. and wants to match it, chances are the design is in the grading rule booklet. It can be identified by a number and searched for, or reordered using the common industry number. Some standard patterns are shown in the figure below. SAMPLES OF STANDARD PATTERNS These samples show some of the shapes available and the range of dimensions. 12 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

21 DIMENSION LUMBER Dimension lumber is commonly used for woodframe construction in floor, wall and roof assemblies. Dimension lumber is available in four major categories: Light Framing, Studs, Structural Light Framing and Structural Joists and Planks. The difference is in the lumber sizes, except between Light Framing and Structural Light Framing where the difference is in the bending strength and stiffness. (These are two common stress values used to determine lumber strength. They ll be explained more in the chapter Lumber - Use in Construction.) Dimension lumber is the major lumber category at most home centre/lumberyard retailers. Here is where the four categories might fit into a typical store. It s difficult to give information that is valid at every store, of course, so it may not fit your store. If you understand these explanations, you will know enough to ask good questions about what your store does stock and why. CATEGORIES, GRADES AND USES OF DIMENSION The various categories, grades and uses of dimension are summarized in the table Grades and Uses of Dimension Lumber on the following page. LIGHT FRAMING Light Framing is any size 2" to 4" thick and 2" to 4" wide. Many stores only stock 2x2 and 2x4 Spruce-Pine-Fir (S-P-F), in this category of dimension lumber. (Sometimes a store s 4x4s will also be of the light framing category). That s because it is less expensive and because most of the uses for 2x4s in residential construction are non-structural. For example, 2x4 plates are completely supported on a subfloor, or have to span the distance between studs, usually 16", at a maximum. If you don t know whether the 2x4s you stock are Light Framing or Structural Light Framing, check the grade stamp. If it s marked Construction, Standard, or Utility, then it is Light Framing. If it is marked Select Structural, No. 1, No. 2, or No. 3, then it s of the stronger category called Structural Light Framing. The accompanying table only shows three grades in the Light Framing category. But there is another grade commonly sold and that is Economy. This is a pretty poor piece of merchandise usually, but is used as a promotional item for many stores. Just be aware that customers might be comparing the price of your product to another store s Economy. There s a lot of difference in quality. STUDS Studs are a simple grade. They have to be 10' and shorter. They usually are either 2x4 or 2x6. Two lengths of pre-cut studs are common: 92 5 / 8 " is used where a sole plate is put under the stud and two plates are put on top, making an inside floor to ceiling height of about 8' (96") / 8 " precut studs are used in cases where there is a sole plate under, but only a single top plate. With the 94 1 / 8 " stud. The 8' finished ceiling height is still maintained. This single top plate, when used, is usually on interior partitions of a truss roofed house. The Stud category in the accompanying table shows two grades. Again be sure that your customer is not comparing your Stud grade to another store s Economy. STRUCTURAL LIGHT FRAMING Structural Light Framing has the same size pieces as Light Framing; lumber 2" to 4" thick and 2" to 4" wide. Many stores do not carry any Structural Light Framing except possibly in 4x4s. Again, you can tell which category you have by reading the grade stamp. The main users of structural light framing, basically 2x4s, are the truss builders. They need lumber with good strength so they pay more to get better materials. A fourth grade of Structural Light Framing also exists, called Economy. This is also a pretty poor piece of merchandise STRUCTURAL JOISTS AND PLANKS Structural Joists and Planks is the lumber category containing larger sizes. Lumber 2x6 B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

22 Grade Category Light Framing 2" to 4" nom. (38 to 89 mm) thick 2" to 4" nom. (38 to 89 mm) wide Studs 2" to 4" nom. (38 to 89 mm) thick 2" to 6" nom. (38 to 140 mm) wide 10' (3m) or less in length Structural Light Framing 2" to 4" nom. (38 to 89 mm) thick 2" to 4" nom. (38 to 89 mm) wide Structural Joists and Planks 2" to 4" nom. (38 to 89 mm) thick 5" nom. (114 mm) or more wide CATEGORIES, GRADES AND USES OF DIMENSION LUMBER Grades Construction Standard Utility Stud Economy Stud Select Structural No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 Select Structural No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 Common Grade Mix Standard and Better (Std. & Btr.) No. 2 and Better No. 2 and Better Principal Uses Used for general framing where high strength values are not required such as for plates, sills and blocking. Made principally for use in walls. Stud grade is suitable for bearing wall applications. Economy grade is suitable for some temporary applications. Used for engineering applications such as for trusses, lintels, rafters and joists in the smaller dimensions. Used for engineering applications such as for trusses, lintels, rafters and joists in the width dimensions greater than 5" nom. (114 mm). Notes: 1. Grades may be bundled individually or they may be individually stamped but they must be grouped together with the engineering properties dictated by the lowest strength grade in the bundle. 2. The common grade mix shown is the most economical blending of strength for most applications where appearance is not a factor and average strength is acceptable. 3. Except for economy grade, all grades are stress graded which means specified strengths have been assigned and span tables calculated. Economy and utility grades are suited for temporary construction or for applications where strength and appearance are not important. 4. Construction, Standard, Stud and No. 3 grades should be used in designs that are composed of 3 or more essentially parallel members spaced at 610 mm (2') centres or less. 5. Strength properties and appearance are best in the premium grades such as Select Structural. through 4x16. Commonly a store would stock 2x6, 2x8, 2x10 and 2x12 in this category. Also 4x4s and sometimes 3x14s or 3x16s (which are sometimes called bridge plank). A store will usually only carry one species group of each and this choice varies a lot with location. It could be like this, though: you might have 2x6s, 2x8s and 2x10s in S-P-F and 2x12s in DFir-L or Hem-Fir. These selections are somewhat regional, because of shipping costs and/or availability. Structural Joist And Planks and Structural Light Framing, have four grades. It s very common in all categories for a mill or warehouse to market mixed grades. For example, a very common mixed grade category in Joists and Planks is "No. 2 and Better." This means you may receive a mixture of No. 2, No. 1 and Select Structural. Each piece of lumber is stamped with the grade that it is, so in certain situations you could select out all the No. 1s, etc., but that s not common. For end use purposes, such as reading joist span tables, you have to use the lowest grade contained in the mixed grade, as the determining factor. In the case above you would be looking for No. 2 grade spans. Again there is an Economy grade that is not acceptable for building construction use. TIMBERS Timbers is the category containing sizes 5"x5" and larger. It is broken down into two subcategories. Beams and Stringers are 5" and thicker with the width more than 2" greater than the thickness e.g. a 6x10, 8x12 etc. Posts and Timbers are 5" and larger with the width not more than 2" greater than the thickness e.g. a 6x6, or a 6x8, etc. 14 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

23 The reason for the separation is that these two sub-categories are usually used in two different design situations. A Post and Timber size usually is used as a post carrying a load placed on the end of it as it stands vertically. A Beam and Stringer size is normally used as a beam, placed horizontally and carrying a load along its length. MOISTURE CONTENT OF TIMBERS For a number of reasons, including the length of time (which adds cost), the large size of timbers makes kiln drying impractical. For this reason, timbers are usually dressed green (moisture content above 19%) and the moisture content of timber upon delivery will depend on the amount of air drying which has taken place following dressing. Like dimension lumber, timber begins to shrink when its moisture content falls below about 28%. The degree of shrinkage depends on the climatic conditions of the environment. For example, timbers exposed to the outdoors usually shrink from 1.8% to 2.6% in width and thickness, depending on the species. Timbers used indoors, where the air is often drier, experience greater shrinkage, in the range of 2.4% to 3.0% in width and thickness. Length change in either case is negligible. Minor checks on the surface of a timber are common in most service conditions. GRADES AND USES OF TIMBERS The various categories, grades and uses of timber are summarized in the table below. Both categories of timbers: Beams and Stringers and Posts and Timbers, contain three stress grades (Select Structural, No. 1 and No. 2) and two non-stress grades (Standard and Utility) The stress grades are used as structural members. No. 1 or No. 2 are the most common grades specified for structural purposes. No. 1 may contain varying amounts of Select Structural, depending on the manufacturer. Unlike Canadian dimension lumber, there is a difference between design values for No. 1 and No. 2 grades for timbers. More on this in the next chapter Lumber - Use in Construction. Timbers are generally not grade marked, since they are surfaced rough and may be used in exposed locations. If needed, a mill certificate may be obtained to certify the grade. Remind your customers that cross cutting can affect the grade of timber in the Beams and Stringers category as the allowable size of knot varies along the length of the piece (a larger knot is allowed nearer the ends than in the middle). Therefore, for this grade category, the timber must be regraded if it is cross cut and going to be used as a structural member. GRADES AND USES OF TIMBERS Grade Category Grades Smaller Dimension Larger Dimension Principal Uses Beam and Stringer Post and Timber Select Structural No. 1 No. 2 Standard Utility Select Structural No. 1 No. 2 Standard Utility 5" (114 mm) or more 5" (114 mm) or more Exceeds smaller dimension by more than 2" (51 mm). Exceeds smaller dimension by 2" (51 mm) or less. Used for beams, stringers and purlins where members are loaded in bending. Used for columns, posts and struts where members are loaded in compression. Notes: 1. Strength and appearance are best in the premium grades such as Select Structural. The lower grades are more economical and are suitable where appearance and strength are less important. 2. Timbers are available rough sawn or custom surfaced. B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

24 OTHER LUMBER CATEGORIES STRESS RATED LUMBER (MSR) The grades of lumber discussed so far have all been visually graded by a lumber grader who inspects each piece and then assigns a grade. Lumber is now also evaluated using a mechanical system and a process known as machine stress-rated (MSR). The strength characteristics of MSR lumber are determined by applying forces to a member and measuring the stiffness of each piece of lumber. This is then followed with a visual check for grade characteristics that might affect properties other than stiffness. Design properties are assigned to each individual piece of MSR lumber because : the stiffness of each piece is measured, a quality control program measures the strength of some pieces and there is additional visual grading. Due to of the overall variability of the strength of wood, this results in the identification of the pieces having properties greater, similar to and less than those of the visual classification system. The figure bellow shows a schematic representation of the apparatus used to rate MSR. Lumber which is evaluated mechanically in Canada conforms to NLGA standard SPS-2 Special Product Standard 2 The MSR grade stamp, in addition to the information shown on a grade stamp for visually graded lumber, indicates the grade, by reference to bending strength (f b ) and stiffness (E). (These properties are reviewed in greater detail in the next chapter Lumber Use in Construction.) The f b -E classifications relate directly to grades that define design values for engineers to use when designing structural members. Though most manufacturers only produce 3 to 4 MSR grades, the NLGA rule provides for 14 MSR grades ranging from a low of 1200f b -1.2E to a high of 3000f b -2.4E. Two representative grade marks are shown in below. REPRESENTATIVE MSR GRADE MARKS MSR lumber is favoured particularly by specialized users such as truss manufacturers where higher strength per volume of lumber and reliability resulting from measured design values is required. So, unless your store manufactures trusses or other components you probably will not stock MSR. SCHEMATIC OF MECHANICAL EVALUATING EQUIPMENT FOR MSR LUMBER 16 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

25 FINGERJOINED LUMBER Fingerjoined lumber is dimension lumber into which finger profiles have been machined and the pieces which are then end-glued together. With fingerjoining, the length of a piece of lumber is not limited by tree size. In fact, the process may result in the production of joists and rafters in lengths of 12 m (40') or more. Although fingerjoining is used in several wood product manufacturing processes (including the horizontal joints for glulam manufacture), the term fingerjoined (or often referred to as finger-jointed or finger jointed ) lumber applies to dimension lumber. The fingerjoining process allows the removal of strength reducing defects (such as large knots) to produce a product with higher engineering properties. The strength of the joints is controlled by stipulating the quality of wood which must be present in the area of the joint. For example, Select Structural, No. 1 and No. 2 grade joints must be formed in sound, solid, pitch-free wood that meets the slope of grain and other general requirements of the grade. Canadian fingerjoined lumber is manufactured in conformance with either: NLGA s SPS-1 Special Product Standard for Fingerjoined Structural Lumber which is for bending members used in either the horizontal or vertical position, or NLGA s SPS-3 Special Product Standard for Fingerjoined Stud Lumber - Vertical Use Only which is for members intended for use in a vertical position in stud walls. Fingerjoined lumber produced to the requirements of SPS-1 is interchangeable with non-fingerjoined lumber of the same grade and length. For example, a No. 2 fingerjoined joist may be assigned the same floor spans as a No. 2 joist made from one continuous length. All fingerjoined lumber manufactured to the Canadian NLGA standard carries a grade stamp indicating: the species or species combination identification the seasoning designation (S-Dry or S-Green) the registered symbol of the grading agency the grade the mill identification the NLGA standard number and the designation CERT FGR JNT. (certified finger joint) or Cert Fin Jnt Vertical Use Only (certified finger joint for vertical use only). Two representative grade marks are shown in the figure below. REPRESENTATIVE FINGERJOINED GRADE MARKS Each piece must be comprised of species from the same species group and strict tolerances are established for the machining of the fingers, the quality and the mixing and curing of the adhesive. Depending on the type of fingerjoined lumber being manufactured, edge and flat bending tests and tension tests are performed on each piece to ensure the joint can meet the design value assigned to the grade of the lumber. Fingerjoined lumber is assessed for visual grade and for machine tested strength with the grade assigned being the lower of either the visual or the stress grade. B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

26 PRESERVATIVE TREATED WOOD Under high moisture conditions bare wood is subject to decay, rot, insects and deterioration over time. Depending on its use, several preservatives are used or have been used, the most common being paint. Over the years though, heavier duty preservative treatments also have been used. Creosote, a black coal tar material was applied to poles and even boards used in agricultural buildings to add years of life. Later, a cleaner preservative, pentachlorophenol (penta) replaced creosote. It is still used for posts, poles and some dimension lumber. It is not suitable for human contact so should not be used for decks, patios, fences and the like. There are two main types of preservative treatments for your purposes in current use. The most common one is pressure treatment with Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) which is easily identified by the green colouration it imparts to wood (brown coloured formulations are also available). The other is Amonical Copper Arsenate (ACA). Both of these chemicals are mixtures of stable metal oxides dissolved in water. CCA and ACA treated wood do not release excess chemical when properly treated and produce a clean dry surface, which is odourless. The treating process does not obscure the natural grain of the wood. Treated surfaces may be stained or painted. Treated wood can also be left uncoated, in which case it will acquire a driftwood grey colour. The amount of retention of the CCA and ACA treatment is important. There are three common levels of retention: 0.25, 0.40 and These numbers refer to the pounds of chemical retained per cubic foot of wood. The higher the concentration of preservative the more the wood resists decay. For example 0.25 means that one-quarter pound of CCA or ACA is retained in one cubic foot of wood. There are definite guidelines for which product to use in certain situations. Since it s common to stock two of the three retentions and since the higher concentrations cost more (and wear out saw blades faster) you should recommend the proper product for the customer s specific use. For example: 0.25 is used for above ground use such as decking, fences, railings is used for ground contact such as posts, retaining walls, landscape timbers, etc is used for in-ground use. The most common use being for Permanent Wood Foundations (PWFs which are discussed in the chapter dealing with wood based panel products). Preservative treated wood is generally, though not always, manufactured to CSA O80 Series Wood Preservation standards. To ensure that the specified degree of protection will be provided by a product it should (for PWF use it must) bear a quality assurance stamp or, at the minimum, should bear a proprietary mark identifying the treatment levels. An example of a representative certification stamp is shown below. If you sell treated wood be sure to advise your customers that if they saw or drill the material adequate field treatment of all exposed new wood must be performed. This can best be done by using an acceptable brush-on preservative to partially restore the integrity of the preservative treatment. A REPRESENTATIVE STAMP OF CANADIAN WOOD PRESERVERS BUREAU 18 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

27 HARDWOOD LUMBER Hardwood lumber is manufactured from deciduous trees such as maple, oak, birch and other species, having wood which is generally hard and dense. Deciduous species such as basswood and aspen are exceptions because these hardwood species are more like softwood in density and hardness. Hardwood lumber is generally used in building construction for architectural woodwork and for flooring. Hardwood lumber may be sold surfaced or unsurfaced with both types having set manufacturing thickness tolerances. Widths and lengths are generally random up to 12" (nominal) wide and 16' long respectfully with a good proportion of production in the 8' length range. SPECIES The major hardwood lumber species produced in Canada are hard (sugar) maple, soft (red and silver) maple, white birch, yellow birch, white oak, red oak, beech, white ash, basswood and aspen. The characteristics for these woods are shown in the table below. GRADES Hardwood lumber is frequently graded according to National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) rules. NHLA s grade categories for hardwood lumber are: Firsts, Seconds, Select, No. 1 Common and No. 2 Common. Firsts, Seconds and Select are often combined and marketed together in a grouping called Select and Better. These grades are sometimes sold with yet a lower grade, No. 1 Common, as No. 1 Common and Better. No. 1 Common yields a minimum of about 65% clear cuttings (compared with about 80% for Firsts and Seconds). Hardwood lumber is graded unsurfaced and is not grade marked unless this is specifically requested. For a large order, a certificate of NHLA compliance can be furnished. In addition to these manufacturing grades, the following terminology is used by architectural woodwork associations to specify hardwoods for architectural woodwork: Premium Grade: All lumber sound, dry and clear, selected for compatible colour and grain, only very minor blemishes are permitted. Custom Grade: All lumber sound, dry and essentially clear, but permitting sound burl, birdseye and occasional mineral streaks and tight pin knots not exceeding 1 / 4" in diameter. You should be aware that hardwoods take a long time to dry in comparison to softwoods. For example, air drying for a 1" thick board may take several months and kiln-drying to 6% moisture content might require two or three weeks depending on the species. When used for high quality interior work, hardwood lumber should be dried to 6% to 8% moisture content. APPEARANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF CANADIAN HARDWOOD Species Aspen Basswood Beech Hard (sugar) maple Red oak Soft (red and silver) maple White ash White birch White oak Yellow birch Characteristics Heartwood brownish, sapwood nearly white, close grained, relatively soft. Heartwood light or reddish brown, thick sapwood mainly white, very straight, close grained, relatively soft. Heartwood light brown, thick sapwood nearly white, close grained, radial rays may occur. Heartwood brownish, sapwood lighter, close grained, compact structure, occasional birdseye effects. Heartwood light brown to red, sapwood lighter, open grained, pronounced annual rings, radial rays few but broad. Heartwood reddish brown, sapwood ivory white, fine close grained, compact structure, fibres sometimes curled. Heartwood reddish brown and usually mottled, sapwood nearly white, open grained, radial rays obscure. Heartwood brown tinged with red, sapwood nearly white, very close grained, compact structure. Heartwood brown, sapwood lighter, pronounced annual rings, open grained, numerous radial rays. Heartwood light reddish brown, sapwood nearly white, close grained, compact structure, satiny. B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

28 COMMON LUMBER ABBREVIATIONS AD - Air dried AFPA - Alberta Forest Products Association ALS - American Lumber Standards AMBSQ - Association des manufacturiers de bois de sciage du Québec AW&L - All widths and lengths B&S - Beams and Stringers BD - Board BD FT (or Bd. Ft.) - Board feet BDL - Bundle BEV - Bevel BM - Board measure BN - Bull nosed BTR - Better C/L - Carload CB - Centre beaded CFPA - Central Forest Products Association CLA - Canadian Lumbermen s Association CLF - Hundred lineal feet CLG - Ceiling CLIB - Coniferous Lumber Inspection Bureau Inc. CLMA - Cariboo Lumber Manufacturers Association CLR - Clear CLS - Canadian Lumber Standards CLSAB - CLS Accreditation Board CM - Centre matched CMSA - Canadian Mill Services Association COFI - Council of Forest Industries COM - Common CS - Caulking seam CSG - Casing CSI - Canadian Softwood Inspection Agency Inc. CU. FT. (or cu.ft.) - Cubic feet CV - Centre vee CWC - Canadian Wood Council CWT - Hundredweight D&CM - Dressed and centre matched D&M - Dressed and matched D/S (or DS) - Drop siding DET - Double end trimmed DF - Douglas Fir DF-L (or DFir-L) - Douglas Fir-Larch DIM - Dimension DKG - Decking E - Edge E&CV1S - Edge and centre vee one side E&CB2S - Edge and centre bead two sides EA - Each EB1S - Edge bead one side EE - Eased edges EG - Edge (or vertical) grain EM - End matched ES - Englemann Spruce EV1S - Edge vee one side f b - Extreme fibre stress in bending FBM - Feet of board measure FCPW - Flat car paper wrapped FG - Flat or slash grain FSP - Fibre saturation point FJ - Finger joint FLG - Flooring FOB - Free on board (named point) FOHC - Free of heart centre FRT - Freight FT (or ft.) - Foot/feet G/S - Grade stamped H & M- Hit and miss H or M - Hit or miss HEM - Hemlock Hem-Fir - Hemlock-True Firs HRT - Heart ILMA - Interior Lumber Manufacturers Association IN (or in.) - Inch IND - Industrial J & P - Joists and planks JTD - Jointed KD - Kiln dried L - Larch LBR - Lumber LCL - Less than carload LFT - Lineal feet LGR - Longer LGTH - Length LIN - Lineal LNG - Lining LP - Lodgepole Pine M - Thousand MBF - Thousand board feet MBM - Thousand feet of board measure MC - Moisture content MERCH - Merchantable MG - Mixed grain MIS - Macdonald Inspection Services Ltd. MLB - Maritime Lumber Bureau MLDG - Moulding MOE (or E) - Modulus of elasticity MSR - Machine stress rated NFPA - Northern Forest Products Association NLGA - National Lumber Grades Authority NLPA - Newfoundland & Labrador Lumber Producers Association NWT - Northwest Territories Forest Industries Association 20 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

29 COMMON LUMBER ABBREVIATIONS (cont.) N1E - Nosed one edge OLMA - Ontario Lumber Manufacturers Association P&T - Posts and timbers PAD - Partly air dried PAT - Pattern PC - Piece PET - Precision end trimmed PLIB - Pacific Lumber Inspection Bureau PP - Ponderosa Pine QLMA - Quebec Lumber Manufacturers Association R/L, RILL - Random lengths R/S - Resawn RAG - Regular RAH - Rough RAW, or R/W - Random widths RAW/L - Random widths and lengths RC - Red Cedar RD - Round S&E - Side and edge S1S1E - Surfaced one side, one edge S4SEE - Surfaced four sides, eased edges SDG - Siding SG - Slash or flat grain S1E - Surfaced one edge S2E - Surfaces two edges SEL - Select SB1S - Single bead one side S1S - Surfaced one side S2S - Surfaced two sides S4S - Surfaces four sides S1S&CM - Surfaced one side and centre matched SIS & CS - Surfaced four sides and caulking seam SL (or S/L) - Shiplap SM - Surface measure S-P-F (or SPF) - Spruce-Pine-Fir SQ - Square SQ FT (or sq.ft.) - Square feet STAG - Stepping STAND - Stained STD - Standard STIR - Structural STY - Stock S1S2E - Surfaced one side, two edges T&G - Tongue-and-groove TBR - Timber VG - Vertical, or edge, grain WDR - Wider WF - White Fir WRC - Western Red Cedar WTH - Width WW - White Woods B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

30 GLOSSARY FOR LUMBER Air dried (AD) - Lumber dried in the open air. All widths and lengths (AW & L) - All widths and lengths of a specified lumber thickness may be included in a shipment. Annual growth ring - The amount of wood a tree puts on in one year. Beams and Stringers (B&S) - Lumber with nominal dimensions 5" and thicker and a width more than 2" greater than thickness, supporting a load horizontally or transversely. Bearing wall - A wall that supports its own weight and a load from above. Better (BTR) - Indicates that a lumber shipment has some pieces of higher grade than the lowest stated grade. A common case would be where lumber is sold as No. 2 & BTR, meaning there is No. 2 grade, but also some No. 1 and Select Structural. Bevel (BEV) - Lumber cut at a slant. Bevel siding is a common example. Board (BD) - Lumber where the nominal size is one inch thick and two or more inches wide. Though thicker material is permitted to be graded under board rules. If so, usually stated as 5/4, or 6/4 rather than 1 1 / 4" or 1 1 / 2". Board and batten - A vertical siding pattern with a narrow board, often a 1x2, nailed over the seams of the larger boards underneath. Sometimes the narrow boards are put underneath, then it s called reverse board and batten. Board foot (BD. FT.) - The standard unit of lumber content measuring the equivalent of 1" thick, 12" wide and 12" long. Board measure (BM) - A term indicating that a board foot is the measure used. Bow - A deviation from a flat plane of the wide face of a lumber piece, from end to end. Bridging - Small pieces of wood or metal placed diagonally in a joist space, two per space to form an X, to help prevent the joists from twisting. Bright - Indicates the lumber has no discoloration. Bunk - Lumber or plywood still in its full banded quantity as supplied from the mill or wholesaler. Canadian Lumber Standards (CLS) - CSA O141, the Canadian Softwood Lumber Standard, establishes the CLS Accreditation Board with members representing producers, regulatory authorities, general interest and users to oversee the implementation of lumber standards in Canada so that a No. 2 piece of dimension lumber, for example, is graded under the same rules everywhere in Canada no matter who is doing the grading. Casing (CSG) - Lumber made into a pattern and used for trim. Caulking seam (CS) - A machine made groove in the wood providing a weather tight seal when filled with caulking and fit tight to a surface. Ceiling (CLG) - A finish board with a centre vee and an edge vee or bead. Often used for the ceilings of porches years ago. Centre beaded (CB) - Finish lumber with a small half circle bead along the centre of its length. Centre match (CM) - Lumber with a tongue right in the centre of one edge and a groove in the centre of the other edge. Centre vee (CV) - Lumber with a small V groove along the centre of its length. Checks - A lengthwise separation of wood across the annual growth rings usually caused by seasoning or drying out of the lumber. Chord - The bottom and top members of a truss. Clear (CLR) - The highest grades of lumber, free or clear of imperfections to a high degree. Close grained - Wood with a fine texture because of small, closely spaced pores and narrow annual growth rings. Coarse grained - Wood with a coarser texture caused by wider growth rings and wider more open pores. Common - The ordinary grades of lumber with the usual number and size of defects. Conifers - The so called softwoods come from these trees that have needles rather than leaves and bear cones. Often called evergreen trees. 22 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

31 GLOSSARY FOR LUMBER (cont.) Construction lumber - Ordinary lumber suitable for framing and sheathing houses. Corner braces - Diagonal bracing used in a frame wall for added stiffness and racking resistance. Cripple - Short studs placed above a wall header and below the top plate. Crook - A deviation of the flat plane of a piece of lumber along its narrow face, from end to end. Cross grain - Looking at the end of a piece of lumber, the grain is not parallel to either face, but runs at an angle, or a spiral. Cup - A deviation in the flat plane of the lumber, from edge to edge, across the wide face. Decking (DKG) - Dimension lumber 2" to 4" thick and 4" and wider. Usually with a single tongue and groove (2" thick material) or a double tongue and groove (3" and thicker) and commonly used for roof decking or flooring. The underside may be left exposed as a ceiling when used as a roof deck. In which case it may also be V grooved on the good face. Diagonal grain - Like cross grain but containing no spiral. Dimension lumber - Lumber 2" to 4" thick and 2" or more in width. Dolly Varden siding - A bevel siding pattern with a cut-out along the back of the thick edge (bottom) allowing the entire back face of the siding to rest on the wall sheathing or stud and causing a shiplap type joint. Double end trimmed (DET) - Each end is sawn reasonably square. Dressed and matched (D & M) - Lumber with a slightly off centre tongue along one edge and a matching groove along the other. Drop siding (DS, D/S) - A horizontal siding pattern with a tongue and groove joint. Dry kiln - A temperature and humidity controlled chamber used to dry wood down to a specified moisture content. Usually 19%, sometimes 15%. Dryrot: - A general rotting or disintegration of the wood leaving it almost powder dry. Dunnage - Low grade lumber used to bolster and secure shipments in railroad cars. Eased edges (EE) - Slight rounding of the edges along the long length of the lumber. Eave - The horizontal roof overhang. Edge - The narrow face of a piece of lumber. Edge grain (EG) - When a piece of lumber is laid flat, wide face down, if the annual rings (grain) run mostly vertical (up & down) then it s edge grain, sometimes called vertical grain. End match (EM) - Lumber with the ends tongue and grooved. Energy heel - In roof truss construction, the addition of a vertical piece to increase the distance at the joining of the top and bottom chord to accommodate more insulation. Often 5" to 10". Extreme fibre stress in bending (f b ) - The stress allowed when designing a piece of lumber for use as a beam, joist, etc., to make sure it does not break when in use. The f b value varies with the grade and specie of wood and can be found referenced in building codes. Face - The wide surface of a piece of lumber. Fascia - The horizontal trim board used on the end of rafters. Finger joint - A joint to fasten two pieces of lumber together usually end to end. The joint shape is much like if you were to slide your hands together with your fingers between each other. Finish lumber - A high grade of lumber often used for exposed interior surfaces, mostly free from defects. Not quite as good as clear lumber. Flat or slash grain (F.G. or S.G.) - When a piece of lumber is laid flat, wide face down, if the grain runs mostly horizontal it s flat grain. Flitch plate - A piece of steel or plywood sandwiched between dimension lumber to increase the strength of the girder or header. Flooring (FLG) - In lumber, a pattern with a tongue and groove edge, sometimes end matched also and a smooth face. Form - Plywood or lumber arranged to be the temporary boundaries of concrete. Framing: Usually the structural members of a house such as studs, joists, rafters, posts, etc. B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

32 GLOSSARY FOR LUMBER (cont.) Free of heart centre (FOHC) - The pith, or centre of the log is not included. Free on board (FOB) - The seller will deliver the product to a named point at no additional charge to the customer. The customer pays to get it to the final destination. A common term might be FOB factory meaning the buyer (the store) would pay all freight. Or FOB store meaning the factory delivers it to the store at their expense. Furring - Narrow strips of wood, often 1x2 or 1x3, used to level or build out a wall or ceiling for application of wall or ceiling finish. Girder - A supporting beam carrying building loads. Green wood - Wood not seasoned or dried. Hardwoods - Trees containing leaves and losing the leaves in the fall. Deciduous. Heartwood - The part of the tree from the centre to the sapwood. It is mostly dead and often of a darker colour than the sapwood because it contains resins, etc. that usually make it more resistant to decay and rot. Header - Any framing member placed at right angles to the normal direction of the framing members, cutting them off, usually to form an opening for a window, door, stair, etc. Hit and miss (H & M) - When planing lumber at the mill some of a surface may be planed smooth and some is skipped over. Hit or miss (H or M) - When planing lumber at the mill a piece of lumber may be completely planed smooth, partly smooth, or all rough. Industrial (IND) - Lumber that will be further manufactured such as into mouldings. Joists - Dimension lumber 2" to 4" thick and 5" and wider installed as horizontal framing members to support a floor, ceiling, or sometimes a flat or low sloped roof. Joists and planks (J & P) - A classification of dimension lumber containing lumber 2" to 4" thick and 5" and wider. Graded according to its ability to carry a load horizontally when the narrow face is on top it s a joist. When laid with the wide face up it s a plank. Kiln dried (KD) - Lumber dried in a temperature controlled chamber called a kiln. Laminated wood - Wood built up of laminations or plies and fastened together by glue, adhesives, or mechanical fasteners. Ledger strip - A strip of lumber nailed across studs, joists, beams, etc., upon which other framing members rest. Less than carload (LCL) - When ordering lumber, but not ordering enough to fill a standard rail car. Usually used to determine the price of lumber as LCL would cost more than a full carload. Light framing (LF) - A classification of dimension lumber containing lumber 2" to 4" wide and thick, of lower stress rated woods. Machine stress rated lumber (MSR) - Lumber given a stress rating by using a mechanical device to actually test each piece. Matched - Lumber tongue and grooved along its length and/or the ends to match together when two or more pieces are put together. Millwork - Wood remanufactured in a mill for finish items such as stair parts, windows, doors, mouldings, etc. Mixed grain (MG) - A group of lumber pieces may contain some flat grain and some vertical grain pieces. Modulus of elasticity (MOE or E) - The stiffness of a piece of lumber as measured by how much it will bend over a certain span. The different species and grades have different values. These can usually be found referenced in building codes. Moisture content (MC) - The percentage of weight of water in a piece of wood compared to if it was completely (oven) dry. Green wood has an MC greater than 19%, while kiln dried lumber usually has 19% MC or less. Lumber for flooring and furniture would have an MC of 15% or less. Moulding (MLDG) - Narrow lengths of wood shaped in many patterns for use as trim and finish pieces. Nominal - The name size of lumber. It s stated, but not actual, size. 24 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

33 GLOSSARY FOR LUMBER (cont.) On centre (o/c) - A common way to specify how far apart framing members are. The distance from the centre of one to the centre of the next. Open grained - See coarse grained. OSB - An acronym for oriented strandboard: a strandboard panel containing layers of aligned strands generally with the strands in the face layers aligned in the direction of the panel length. Panels are marked to show the direction of the face layers. Pallet - A unit built of rough lumber to provide a floor for the storage and transport of bundles or units of materials. Open through 2 ends to accommodate the forks of forklift trucks. Partly air dried (PAD) - Partially dried by exposure to the air but still wet enough to be considered green. Pattern (PAT) - Any of the many shapes lumber is worked into with V grooves, beads, etc. Pitch - Accumulation of resin in the wood cells. Pith - The core of a log at the very centre of the annual rings. Plank - Same specs as joists except when turned and laid flat-wide face down- it s called a plank. (Joists are on edge). Plywood - A wood sheet, usually 4'x8', made of 3 or more layers of thin veneer joined on the faces with glue. The outside faces of plywood are parallel and adjoining plies are almost always laid at right angles. Thicknesses vary from 1 / 4" to 1 1 / 8 " and more. Posts and timbers - A classification of timbers containing timbers 5" and larger in all dimensions, with the width not more than 2" greater than the thickness. Used for posts and columns. Precision end trimmed (PET) - Lumber that is trimmed square and also smooth on both ends. Purlin - Horizontal framing usually laid on rafters or trusses to support roof finish. Racking - The tendency of a framed wall to move out of square by wind or other pressure. Rafters - In conventional construction, the framing members forming the roof shape. Usually 2x6 placed at 16" o/c. Rake - The roof overhang up the gable end. Random (RDM) - Any combination of widths and/or lengths just as they come from the saws or planers. Random length (RL, R/L) - Any assortment of odd or even lengths. Random width (RW, R/W) - Any assortment of odd or even widths. Remanufacture - Resawing larger pieces into smaller ones. Resawn (R/S) - Lumber that has been cut down in width or thickness by resawing. Ridge - The horizontal framing member forming the peak of the roof. Used in conventional (not trussed) roof construction. Rip - Sawing lumber lengthwise to reduce its width. Riser - In a stair the board forming the vertical boundary of each step. Rotary cut veneer - Thin sheets of wood cut by rotating a peeler log against the edge of a knife in a lathe. Rough lumber - Lumber right from the saw, not having been planed. Rough opening - The clear opening in framing into which the finished item will be placed. The rough opening is slightly larger than the finished item so the item can be plumbed and squared in the opening. Often refers to windows, doors, stairways, etc. Run - In a roof, the horizontal distance covered by one rafter, usually half the building width. The overhang distance might have to be considered in certain cases. Rustic siding - Lumber siding with a V edge and/or a V centre. Sapwood - The living layers of a tree, right under the bark. Usually lighter and less decay resistant than heartwood. Scantling - A nickname for a smaller piece of lumber usually 2x6 and smaller. Seasoned lumber - Not green lumber, but lumber dried either by air drying or kiln drying down to local acceptable moisture content for building purposes. B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

34 GLOSSARY FOR LUMBER (cont.) Second growth - Timber grown after the virgin trees have been removed. Select (SEL) - The higher grades of lumber containing limited defects. Similar to finish. Shake - Lengthwise separation of the wood grain between or through the growth rings. Sheathing - Plywood, boards, OSB or other manufactured sheet products covering the frame of a wood frame building. Shiplap (SL, S/L) - A board with notched edges so adjoining pieces overlap along their length. Shop lumber - A lower grade intended to be cut up for further use. Shrinkage - Decrease in lumber size caused by drying ' of the wood. Siding (SDG) - Horizontal or vertical finish boards (or sheets) applied to the exterior of buildings. Sliced veneer - Thin strips of wood sliced vertically off a log, rather than peeled. Used for door skins and in making plywood. Soffit - The finished underside of an overhang. Softwoods - Trees that bear cones and have needles rather than leaves produce the lumber classified as softwoods. Sole plate - In a wood frame wall, the plate directly under the studs. Span - In a roof, the building width. Otherwise the distance from one support to the next. Split - A separation of the wood lengthwise usually extending from one face through to the opposite face, or adjoining face. Springwood - The lighter, thicker, less dense part of the annual growth ring. It occurs during the first part of the growing season. (Summerwood is the darker part.) Square edge - No eased edges or defects on the edges of the lumber such as wane. Stain, blue - A bluish discoloration of the wood caused by fungi. Stepping (STPG) - Lumber used for stair steps containing one rounded edge for nosing. Stud - A vertical framing member used to frame walls. Usually 2x4 or 2x6, about 8' tall and placed 16" o/c or 24" o/c. Subfloor - Plywood, boards, OSB or other plywood substitutes nailed over the floor joist. Summerwood - The darker, thinner, more dense part of the annual growth ring. Surfaced dry (S - DRY) - Lumber dried to a moisture content of 19% or less. Surfaced green (S - GRN) - Unseasoned lumber with more than a 19% moisture content. Surfaced lumber - Lumber that has been surfaced by planing or sanding on at least one surface. Thousand (M) - Indicated by using the Roman numeral M for the number one thousand. Thousand board feet (MBF) - Lumber is often sold by the piece but also by a price per one thousand board feet. Tie plate - In platform (normal) construction, the plate directly on top of the top plate (which is directly over the studs) extending over the top plate joints to tie the walls together. Timber - One of the three major size classifications of lumber, along with boards and dimension. Also standing trees of suitable size for logging. Timbers - Part of a sub-classification of timbers- Posts and timbers containing lumber at least 5" square with the width not more than 2" greater than thickness. Tongue and groove (T & G) - Lumber with a tongue along one edge and a groove along the other. Top plate - In platform (normal) framing, the plate resting directly on top of the studs. Tread - The horizontal walked on part of a stair. Trimmers - Framing members placed alongside the regular framing members for added strength often forming the side(s) of a rough opening. True Firs - A grouping of Fir trees with similar characteristics including amablis, grand and alpine fir. 26 Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

35 GLOSSARY FOR LUMBER (cont.) Twist - A condition where all four corners of the lumber are not in the same plane. Unit - The whole banded or wrapped stack of lumber, plywood or OSB as it comes from the mill or wholesaler. Amounts in a unit vary with size of lumber and thickness of panel product. Unseasoned lumber - Not seasoned. Green. Veneer - Thin sheets of wood often used for plywood. Vertical grain (V.G.) - Edge grain. Wainscotting - A wall finish usually part way up the wall only and of a different material than the rest of the wall. Wane - Lack of wood, or bark along the edge or end of lumber. A defect. Warp - A general term describing any deviation from a true or plane surface of lumber. Web - In a truss, the interior members that connect bottom and top chords together. White woods (WW) - A group species that could include any of the true firs, Engelmann spruce, or any of the pines. Yard lumber - See construction lumber. B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 7

36 CANADIAN IMPERIAL AND METRIC MEASUREMENTS Canadians generally use a mixture of measurement units. Liquid volumes are typically based on the metric (SI) system. Temperatures and distances are commonly specified using metric terminology. Weights, depending on the type of product, use either the metric or Canadian imperial system. Lengths and dimensions of construction products, particularly for residential use, are generally in Canadian Imperial measurements. Canadian building codes are written using metric units. But the construction trades, particularly those in residential construction, typically use the Canadian Imperial system. This mixture of measurement systems frequently results in many product manufacturers providing information using both systems. Unfortunately, the approaches used in presenting the converted measurements are not consistent. Some information is based on exact conversion measurements whereas other information is based on rounded measurements. From your perspective and in communicating with your customer it is important to recognize that in some instances the exact conversion is necessary and in other instances a more rounded conversion is appropriate. CONVERSION FACTORS 1 inch (in.) = 25.4 mm 1 ounce - avoirdupois (oz.) = g 1 foot (ft.) = m 1 pound - avoirdupois (lb.) = kg 1 yard (yd.) = m 1 pound per square inch (psi) = kn/m 2 1 fluid ounce - US (oz.) = L 1 pound per square foot (psf) = kpa 1 fluid ounce - Canadian (oz.) = L 1 gallon - US (gal.) = L 1 gallon - Canadian (gal.) = L Celsius temperature = (Fahrenheit temperature - 32) / 1.8 SOME TYPICAL MEASUREMENTS FOR LUMBER PRODUCTS ( rounded conversions) Length Length in. mm ft. m 3 / ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ½ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ ¼ Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes B1 LUMBER OVERVIEW

37 HOW TO SELL LUMBER Lumber is not considered an impulse item, or a single item like panelling, ceiling tile, garage door openers, etc. It is usually part of a larger project. Yet sales principles do apply. You ll want to ask questions to figure out what the customer wants to achieve when completed with the project of which their lumber purchase will be a part. In this way you can help the customer choose the appropriate quality and size of lumber. Sometimes you ll want to sell up to higher quality lumber, in other cases a larger size might be more appropriate. Even a different species could be a better choice. Cedar is a good example. Cedar is more decay resistant than other species. A customer may be tempted to buy another species to save some money. Yet that would be a mistake if the cedar was going to be used where resistance to decay was important. It is your job to use good sales techniques to help convince customers that it is in their best interest to spend a little more now and avoid problems and additional expense later. After asking your customers questions about their projects you need to have enough product knowledge so you can help them make the proper choice, as the cedar example showed. By using your product knowledge and sales skills together, you put the benefits of the proper material into terms that affect your customer. You sell the value of your suggestion rather than the price. Of course you can increase the amount of lumber you sell and the satisfaction the customer gets from their purchase sometimes, by suggesting they build it bigger or more complete, or whatever. You ll be doing your customers a favour by making sure you suggestion sell related items so they have all the necessary nails, mouldings, glue, paint, fasteners and whatever it takes to make their projects complete. (You ll also be doing your profit picture a favour!) And don t forget when suggestion selling to suggest an appropriate tool or two to help make their job easier. The point is, just because it s lumber doesn t mean you forget why the store hired you. Anybody can help the customer load lumber, or show them where it is. It takes a professional to find out what the customers really want, then help them to get it. B1 LUMBER - OVERVIEW Note: Always consult your provincial and local codes 29