If you’re planning a home improvement project, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to buy some lumber! But unless you’re a seasoned pro when it comes to purchasing lumber, the process can be overwhelming. There are so many different types of wood out there, and all the terms can be confusing if you’re walking through your local Ace Hardware in Seattle for the first time. Keep reading to learn more about wood, so you know you’ll be buying exactly what you need!
Buy the correct lumber
Before you set foot inside of an Ace Hardware in Seattle to buy your lumber and other supplies, you need to make sure you know which wood is right for your project. All woods aren’t created equal, and lumber isn’t a “one size fits all” supply for a home improvement project:
- Hardwood vs. softwood: Lumber is divided into two separate categories: hardwood and softwood. Hardwoods are more resilient and are typically of higher quality. Since they’re nicer woods, they’re often used for woodworking, furniture and decor. Just because hardwoods are higher quality than softwoods, though, doesn’t mean softwoods are useless. In fact, softwoods likely make up the majority of your home! Even though you don’t see the wood as much, softwoods like Douglas fir, hemlock and cedar are frequently used for framing and construction.
- Rough-sawn wood vs. planed wood: Planed wood has been smoothed on all sides and should be used for projects where the wood will be visible. Rough-sawn wood, on the other hand, is used where the wood won’t be seen, like for a stud wall. Choosing the right size for planed or rough-sawn wood can be tricky. Planed wood is smaller than its labeled size because it’s already been smoothed out. Rough-sawn wood, meanwhile, is close to its labeled size. Be sure you speak to a staff member before buying wood, so you know that you’re buying the right size for your project.
Buy the right amount of lumber
Once you know what type of wood you want, and how you want your wood cut, you need to make sure you buy the right amount of wood for your next project. Speak with one of the pros at Ace Hardware in Seattle about how much lumber he or she thinks you’ll need for your project. You can trust that whatever it is you’re working on, we have a team member who knows how much lumber you need.
Repurpose your old lumber
While it may seem like a bummer when you first realize that you’ve bought too much wood, it’s not necessarily a bad thing if you’ve accidentally purchased too much lumber. As long as you buy high-quality lumber—like the wood we sell at Stewart Lumber & Hardware Co.—and you have a place to store it, you can always reuse your lumber for a variety of other projects. Speak to one of our pros about how you can reuse lumber for your next project.
The next time you need lumber for a home improvement project, shop Stewart Lumber & Hardware Co. first, and shop us last! In addition to carrying the highest-quality woods on the market, we have all of the other tools and supplies you’ll need to complete any DIY project around your home.