Common Lumber Abbreviations and Terms

Common Abbreviations:

BF Board feet (1 BF = 1"x 12"x 12")
BEV Beveled
BN Bull-nosed
LF Lineal feet (per foot)
Com Common
CLR Clear
CV Center V
DIM Dimension
E Edge
FJ Finger Jointed
FT Foot (or Feet)
G1S Good One Side
G2S Good Two Sides
GR Green
IN Inch
KD Kiln Dried
No. Number
NH No Hole
PET Precision End Trimmed
RGH Rough
RDM Random
RL Random lengths
RW Random widths
RLW Random lengths and widths
S1S Surfaced one side
S2S Surfaced two sides
S4S Surfaced four sides
S1S2E Surfaced one side & two edges   
SE Square Edge
S-GR More than 19% water by weight (More likely to warp if not installed quickly)
S-DR Less than 19% water by weight (Less likely to warp)
STD Standard
SQ Square
SL Shiplap
T&G Tounge & Grooved
VG Vertical Grain

Species:

CDR    Cedar     
DF    Douglas Fir
DF-L Douglas Fir, Larch
GDF Green Douglas Fir
HEM    Hemlock, Fir
LP    Lodgepole Pine
RW    Redwood
SPF    Spruce-Pine-Fir
SYP    Southern Yellow Pine
WC    Western Cedar
WRC    Western Red Cedar
WF    White Fir
YP    Yellow Pine

Grades:

BTR Better
#1BTR #1 & Better
#2BTR #2 & Better
#3BTR #3 & Better
B&B B & Better
CON COM Construction Common Redwood
CON HEART Construction Heart Redwood
STD BTR Standard & Better

Common Terms:

Checks: Gaps or separations along the length of a wood member, crossing the annual rings. Caused by rapid shrinkage or uneven seasoning of the wood.

Shake: Shakes are gaps parallel to the annual rings. Unlike checks, shakes occur before the felling of the timber. Caused by uneven stresses along the trunk.

Pitch: Pockets of tree sap. As the lumber cures, the pitch pockets empty or harden leaving an imperfection in the wood.

Knots: Knots occur at the intersection of trunks and branches. Wood grading limits the presence and location of knots in the lumber.

Please choose a store for pricing and availability.

Find Your Local Store
Feedback