Buying Lumber at a Real Lumberyard, the First Time

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A home center sells boards by the piece. A lumberyard sells hardwood by the board foot, mostly rough, and the people behind the counter talk fast. Here's what you need to know before you go.

Board feet

One board foot is 144 cubic inches: a board 1 inch thick, 12 inches wide and 12 inches long. Every plan here lists how many you need, plus about 20% for waste.

Quarters

Hardwood thickness is sold in quarters of an inch. 4/4 is a rough inch, which mills down to about 3/4. 8/4 is a rough two inches. The cut lists tell you which to ask for.

Rough or S4S

Rough lumber is cheaper and needs a jointer and planer. S4S (surfaced four sides) is ready to use. If you don't have milling tools yet, pay for S4S. It's worth it.

At the rack

Bring the cut list and a tape. Look at both faces and the ends. Pass on boards with cracks at the ends or a twist you can see when you sight down them. Most yards will let you pick your own boards if you put the stack back the way you found it.