Lumber

Our dimensional and rough lumber is of the highest quality, kiln-dried lumber. Our lumber is locally harvested (within 60 miles of our mill), cut, and dried at our mill location in Petoskey, Michigan. All of the lumber is dried within 6% to 9% moisture content. Ready to nail or glue, perfect for the professional carpenter or the hobbyist.


Buying By The Board Foot

Until the late 1800's, lumber was sold by the pound. Under that system, dry boards were less expensive than green wood. So obviously something had to be done. The system of measurement that evolved centers around the board foot, a measurement that covers all the dimensional variables of cabinet-grade lumber, thickness, width, and length. Today when you purchase this type of lumber, you buy it by the board foot. To help you estimate your lumber needs, we have provided you with the formula to figure board footage below: A board foot simply is equal to 144 cubic inches of wood. Think of it as a piece 1 inch thick and 12 inches square. Board footage is always calculated in quarters of an inch thickness (starting at no less than 1 inch). A 5/4 board 6 inches wide and 72 inches long would be figured like this: 1.25 (thickness) x6 (width) x72 (length) = 540. Divide 540 by 144 to determine the number of board feet in the stock. If the board length is stated in feet rather than inches, use the same method but divide your total by 12 instead of 144.


Hardwood Lumber Grades

Sapwood: Lumber that comes from the outside or the live part of the tree. Heartwood: Lumber that comes from the inside or dead part of the tree. White: Lumber sorted for the white sapwood - usually Hard or Soft Maple. Unselected: Lumber that has a mix of heartwood and sapwood. Brown: Lumber that has been sorted for heartwood - usually Hard or Soft Maple. Imported: Lumber that doesn't grow in the United States. Domestic: Lumber that grows in the United States. Flat Sawn: The grain of the wood runs horizontal. Quarter Sawn: The grain of the wood runs vertical.

Select & Better - This is the top furniture grade. The lumber will range from clear to pieces which will yield just over 80% clear on the good face. Widths must be 4" and wider and lengths 6' and longer.

No. 1 Com - This is the middle grade in hardwoods. It contains more character than the select & better grade. Each board must be two-thirds or more usable. For small projects or when a variety of sizes are to be cut, No. 1 Common is more economical. Widths must be 3" and wider and lengths 4' and longer.

No. 2 Com - This is the lowest grade of hardwoods that is normally kiln dried and sold for furniture and cabinet making. Each board must be one-half or more usable. Widths must be 3" and wider and lengths 4' and longer.

Walnut & Butternut are typically graded lower than other hardwoods due to the scarcity of good timber. The widths and lengths will not be as good and the yield will be less - so plan accordingly.


Lumber Terms

J1S, J2S Jointed
S4S Planed on all 4 surfaces of the board
S2S Planed on both surfaces of the board
S1S Planed on one surface of the board
RGH Rough Sawn Lumber
R1E Straight line ripped one edge
R2E Straight line ripped two edges
Resaw A board split in half from a thicker board
4/4 1" rough thickness
5/4 1-1/4" rough thickness
6/4 1-1/2" rough thickness
8/4 2" rough thickness
10/4 2-1/2" rough thickness
12/4 3" rough thickness
16/4 4" rough thickness


CONTACT US
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Northern Michigan Hardwoods Inc.

5151 Manthei Rd.

Petoskey, MI 49770

231-347-4575
1-888-629-5120

[email protected]