Why is a 2x4 really 1-1/2"x 3-1/2"?
Question:a 2x4 stud is actually smaller than 2' x4". Is this to account for sheetrock?
Answers:
In addition to the shrinkage from drying, remember that when you cut wood, you lose wood. Unlike paper, where you 'keep' both edges, when you cut wood the sawblade removes it's own width in sawdust. The more cuts, the more total volume is lost.
no
its actually more then 2x4 its prolly around 2 1/8(1/16) by 4 1/8(1/16)
A long time ago they use to be 2x4 but they would shrink down as they dried.
Now they come dried and will stay at that dimension.
When the board is first rough sawn from the log, it is a true 2 x 4, but the drying process and planing of the board reduce it to the finished 1.5 x 3.5 size. The same applies to other common lumber sizes.
Not sure...but maybe something to do with using them as studs and adding the 1/2 in drywall to them? Sounded good when I thought of it.
It is a 2 inch by 4 inch board prior to it being planed. It has nothing to do with the sheet rock. Years ago a 2x4 was actually planed at 2" x 4" as wood got more expensive the size was reduced. Any board you buy now will be 1/2" smaller than what it states, except for fine finish boards which are more expensive and are sized to exact dimensions.
your 2x4 is actually a true 2x4 when first cut but when dry it becomes 1-1/2x3-1/2 the orinigal 2x4 was a true 2x4 when dry .
billy
When a 2x4 is first sawed, it is sawed 2"x4". It is then allowed to dry or is put in a kiln where it is forced to dry. That process causes the board to shrink and because the shrinkage varies among boards the size of various pieces is then different. The dried lumber is then planed, to again make it uniform in size.
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