Why are 2x4s 1.5x3.5?

Question

Ok i get the whole 'they're cut 2x4 but shrink during the pressure treatment', but why wouldn't they just be cut 2.5x4.5 so they shrink to 2x4? wouldn't that make more sense?

Answer 1

The lumber does not shrink unless you are using a soft wood (birch ceder.... Ext. ) It goes more along the lines of the industery changing and the bottom plate of a wall is not true 2x4 it is the same ase the studs in the wall just laied flat..... Unless you order true numbers with lumber you get 1 1/2 x 3 1/2

Answer 2

Pressure treatment doesn't make boards shrink--besides, not all lumber is pressure treated. In fact, not all lumber is even dried. You can buy green 2X4s. If you buy a "rough" 2X4, or a hardwood 2X4, it will really be 2" by 4". The reduction comes from the finishing (smoothing, rounding the edges, etc...) to make the board useful for modern construction. For example, many older homes will have a redwood board on top of the foundation. This will be a rough cut board, and it will measure 2" X 4" exactly, but the studs attached to it will be of finished lumber and will have the smaller dimensions that your are asking about.

Answer 3

Way more sense. But the lumber industry set this standard years ago, maybe as a cost thing. More boards per tree. In older houses, the lumber is actual size. True 2x4"s and floor joists 2x12"s

Answer 4

The base piece of wood is 2" x 4". In order to give you nice smooth pieces, they plane off about a quarter inch from each side.

Old rough lumber is actually 2x4.

Answer 5

They are cut 2x4 and then planned down to 4.5x2.5. When they are dried then they shrink.

Answer 6

2x4's used to be actually 2x4. industry standards changed, but the name of the board didn't.

Answer 7

It's a man-thing; you wouldn't understand! Just kidding, but truly, if a woman had developed this "system" you'd end up with a two inch by four inch 2"x4" and something quite nice made with the leftovers created when she milled the larger pieces down to size.
LOL, smile guys, I'm just kidding. Hey just be glad I didn't bring up the issue of the 'dummy end' of the measuring tape!

Answer 8

Bill Gates, Andrew Grove from Intel and Jerry Sanders from AMD are having a conference.

Suddenly Bill Gates starts to talk to his watch... Grove and Sanders are surprised.

"Thats the new telephone feature from Microsoft at Work it comes with Windows96" describes Bill Gates.

Five minutes later Andy Groves interrupts the conference. "Sorry, it's a call" and starts to talk very silent. "That's the newest Intel-Product. A satellite-telephone in my tooth."

Just a few seconds lets out a loud fart: "Give me some paper ! I'm receiving a fax !

Answer 9

they are cut 2x4 but have to be planed down and end up being 1.5x3.5

Answer 10

perfect to make the body in a common way and then prepare the kind of siding you want so that you are able to paint it that way. The image is utilising something referred to as "vehicle Siding" it is a board that has one of those tongue in groove interlocking characteristic that permits it to have a uniform look and to shed rain at the same time as put in contained in the horizontal as contained in the picture. to grant sturdy wind safe practices and to seize air for insulating result, it is optimal in the journey that your siding overlaps or interlocks finally. Trapped air is what promises insulating result, considering the fact that warmth and chilly are executed least effectively through resources with countless air trapped interior. So, i'd propose you get a e book on framing of sheds or homes, and regulate what you discover to in nice condition your needs, yet adhere to the standard concepts of framing. you want sturdy stability in all dimensions, safe practices from wind, an section to position in insulation between the exterior and interior walls, etc.