There are many trim molding profile designs that can be used alone or in combination to create different styles in a room. Baseboard moldings are used to cover the gap between finished flooring and finished walls, casings are used to cover the rough opening around doors or windows, and crown molding are used to add a sense of refinement to a room by defining the lines between walls and ceiling. A couple of molding profiles used in combination can create a decorative design that adds interest to room décor. Molding: Trim molding is used to add an attractive finish over gaps around doors, windows, floors, and ceilings. Furring strips are not suited for applications where the wood will be visible but they can be an economical choice for utility purposes. These boards tend to be of low quality with warping and blemishes like knots a common feature.
These are used frequently for building out the framing of a wall or ceiling to install a new finish such as drywall or paneling. In addition to these lengths, a lumberyard will have longer ones usually up to 22 or 24 feet.Ĭlose Window Furring Strip: These are thin boards usually 1x2 or 1x3 inches wide and 1/2 to 3/4 inches thick.
Timber lengths will go up in two-foot intervals including: 10, 12, and 14 feet. Dimension lumber lengths typically found at your local home store start at eight feet, these are typically used to build partition walls and similar projects around the house. Lumber has been downsized several times over the past 100 years with the actual 2 inch by 4 inch studs from the early 1900's giving way to progressively smaller sizes until 1961 when the standards used today were established. This wasn't always the case, these boards were closer to the stated size when early, historic homes were built. In fact, all the lumber mentioned above will be about ½inch smaller than the nominal size. The sizes stated here are nominal, in name only and not exact. Thicker timbers are also available in sizes like 4x4, 6圆, and 8x8 and are used for support members in floors and decking. Reject any boards that are not straight, using a warped or twisted board will result in an inferior finished project.Ĭlose Window Lumber Terms Dimension Lumber: Also called timbers, these are the smooth, finished boards used in construction to frame walls, ceilings, and floors. A view of the edge of a board will reveal any warping or bows in the wood, and the face will show any twisting. Look down both planes: the edge (the thinner side) and the face (the broad side). Site down the length of the board while holding one end up to your eye and letting the other rest on the floor. To choose a good piece of lumber for construction, look for straight timbers with no twists or warps and few blemishes like knots. In these cases look for the lightest pieces in the stack, the heavier ones will still contain a good deal of moisture and will be more likely to loose their shape over time. Kiln-dried lumber is not always available from your local supplier and you may be forced to choose from wood that's still a bit wet. If you can afford it, buying kiln-dried wood is a good way to guarantee that you will get dry, stable boards that will hold their shape for the life of the finished product. Also, look for boards that are as dry as possible to prevent twisting and warping in your finished project as the wood dries out over time.
When buying lumber products like these, always choose the straightest boards you can find to get the best possible end results with your project. Lumber is the term used to describe wood for framing walls and ceilings like 2x4's, thinner boards used for furniture and builtins like 1x4's, and decorative trim moldings used to finish around edges and add beauty to room décor.