Have you ever gone to the lumber store to pick up some wood and wondered why the 2 x 4’s are actually 1-½ x 3-½ inches? At first it could seem like false advertising, or that over time the sizes just got smaller, sort of like the burgers at your favorite fast food place. Fortunately, there is a reason for the madness that we call “actual size” and “nominal size”.
Now in some cases you may need an actual 2 x 4-inch piece of lumber, luckily there is a solution. Most specialty lumber mills will be able to provide actual dimensional lumber upon request, and in many cases you can even be specific with the desired moisture content. This will ensure that your finished piece will not shrink beyond reason and will be ready to work once received. We hope you have fun with your next project and that this information helps in one way or another!