Choosing The Right Lumber For Your Project

Which Lumber Is Right For You?

If you have ever wandered around a lumber store, you know they have a lot more than wood. Plus, the varieties of wood are impressive, isn’t it? There is something available for every project so when you are about to start working on something, you’ll want to choose the right lumber for the job at hand. Here are a few tips to help you get things done right.

Know Your Lumber

There are various types of lumber and if you want to get the right kind, you should know what kinds are available. There are softwoods and hardwoods, of course. There are a variety of different cuts, colors, and other options. In order to even begin choosing the right lumber, you will want to know the options out there. That way  you can weed out what won’t work which will help you narrow down your choices for your project.

Lay Out Your Needs

What do you need for your project? Do you need a lot of long pieces of wood or one big board that you will cut up into small pieces? Are you woodworking or building a sawhorse for other projects? Do you need high quality lumber because it will show or will something lower in quality get you by this time? The more you know about what you need, the more likely you are to get the right lumber.

Consider Aesthetics

Lumber looks a certain way and while some boards look better than others, not all of them will show. If your boards aren’t going to show, perhaps the appearance of each piece doesn’t matter much, but you will still want to look at as many boards as possible. You want them to be straight, perhaps, or to not have too many splinters so they are easier to finish. The way the lumber looks could make or break your project if the boards show. But even for lumber that doesn’t show, appearance can make a difference.

Finishing Options

If your project requires finishing the lumber in some manner or another, you will want to take that into account when making your choice as well. Some boards hold paint and stain better than others and some are easier to finish. If you want a certain graining on the boards, that will need to be considered up front when you make the initial lumber choice.

Get Lumber Help

When you have a project in mind and lumber is a part of it, it might not always be possible for you to get the exact thing you want without expert help and advice. Visit Lampert Lumber or call with your questions and you’ll be one step closer to making your project come alive. Lampert Lumber doesn’t just have lumber either. You can get all the tools and accessories you need to cut and finish the boards into whatever you are creating. If you have need for a project, but don’t know what to do yet, sometimes just walking down the aisles can help an idea come alive.