Selling structural lumber

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Structural lumber is graded primarily flor strength rather than appearance. lt is usually a nominal 2" or thicker, distinguishing it from board ( l") and timber (5" or more) categories.

Structural lumber is used for construction framing. Iluilding codes say where and how it can be used. Structural lumber has strength values assigned to the diflerent grades by sophisticated testing methods. These are published in design value tables for the use of designers and engineers. Design values (such as Ft, Fc) describe the strength of structural lumber under various conditions.

The majority of structural lumber sold at retail is dimension lumber (2" to 4" thick) standardized for size and grade. lf several pieces of dimension lumber are of different species, but the same size and grade, the grade limitations and allowable characteristics will be the same. The only difference will be in the strength.

Dimension lumber is framing lumber 2x2 through 4x16. It is divided into four size and use categories: Light Framing (2x2 through 4x4); Studs (2x2 through 4x6, l0' and shorter)t Structural Light Framing (2x2 through 4x4, but of different grades than Light Framing material) I Structural Joists and Planks (2x5 through 4xl6). (See accom- panying chart.)

Using this information, what do you sell to the customer doing general framing on a residential project and wanting construction grade 2x4s?

Most 2x4s for this application come from the Light Framing category (2x2 through 4x4). In the grades column on the chart, Construction is just above Standard and Utility, but the industry practice for shipping light framing 2x4s is to combine the top two grades in a mixed shipment of Standard & Better. As far as your customer is concerned, he usually won't need the Construction grade and will appreciate the money saved with Std & Btr.

On the other hand, if you sell Economy grade for all studs, don't sell that grade for structural application. It's fine for furring strips, blocking, nailers and even dog houses, but it won't be accepted by a building inspection department in permanent structural applications.

Some retailers stock 2x4s or 2x6s graded as Studs, often precision end trimmed to a specific length, such as 92-518" or 93-l/2". These belong to the Stud category, limited to pieces l0'in length. Stud is the single grade.

What if someone asks the difference between a Std & Btr and a Stud grade 2x4? Stud is an optional grade limited to l0' in length. Std & Btr has no such limitation. Since both are graded differently, design values differ. For most situations, Std & Btr and Stud grades are the same, but check with your customer before substituting.

Some 2x4s have higher strength properties than grades of Standard and Construction. These are usually not stocked by retailers, but are sold directly to truss manufacturers.

SLF means Structural Light Framing category (2x2 through 2x4), the same size as Light Framing, but with different grade names. No. 2 2x4s are a high grade product with limited availability. If a customer asks for them, don't substitute Std & Btr. The two grades look alike, but the No. 2 is much stronger.

Joists. rafters. window headers (wide dimension lumber) come from the Structural Joist & Plank category. Most wide dimension lumber is shipped as a mixed grade shipment. The industry practice is to ship the top three grades together in a No. 2 & Btr shipment. No piece will be lower than a No. 2; some pieces will be a higher grade (No. 1 or Select Structural) and will be stamped that way.

Story at a Glane

Basics of selling structural lumber. . size and use categories, grades, design values. solutions to selling problems.