why call it a 2x4?

johnny331

Well it ain't 2" by 4"

a 2x8 ain't 2" by 8"

was it at one time? why did it shrink, better wood processing?

just always wondered...

concretemasonry

That is the "nominal" dimension not the actual dimension. The final or dressed dimensions are different. They have decreased over the years, despite the density of the materials decreasins with new growth lumber.

Many other materials use nominal dimensions and the are used in most building codes as a "short hand" description without going into fractions and decimals. - Who ever saw a framer worrying about fractions and decimals?

Ron The Plumber

On a finished 2 x 4 wall, it is a 2 x 4 wall after you add 1/2 sheetrock, for one side of it.

__________________
Fix it right the first time, so you won't have to fix it a 2nd time.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

concretemasonry

It obviously has nothing to do with the wall thickness since the 2x4 can be turned 90 degrees.

Is the wall 2" long?

What if you happen to make the mistake of putting 1/2" sheetrock on both sides? Even worse, what if you happen to use 5/8" or even make the mistake of using tile also in your bathroom? - The wall may not even have any rock in it except some very soft ground up materials!

A 2x4 is just a basic, rough, building material with a common name that does not accurately describe the actual size. The same applies to a 8" block, except it does have rock in it.

KUIPORNG

this probably like many other things inherited from the Great Britain which doesn't make sense but got to keep using it... like 1 feet have 12 inches instead of 10 inches...etc.

Clutchcargo

A 2x4 used to be 2x4 actual and 100 16d nails used to be $0.16.

__________________

slickshift

Yup
Same with trim
Ever try and replace exterior trim on an 1800s or older home?
You've got to buy over-size and rip cut every stinking piece

ron schenker

When the board is cut from the log, it measures 2x4, but drying and planing of the board reduces it to 1 1/2"x 3 1/2"

fierysun

It's the same with buying lumber for woodworking. When you buy 8/4 lumber it's not 2 inches thick unless it is rough and not planed. Usually it comes 1 1/2".

__________________
Trying to keep all my fingers and toes
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.


To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

Floorwizard

They do it so we can encourage more talk on forums in the general discussion areas.....

Actually I buy the theory that is is originally ripped to 2x4 But then shrinks.
I would put money on it.

skymaster

basically as stated; is ruff cut to 2 x 4 then it is squared and planed. This brings it to 1 1/2 x 3 1/2 . Some years back they actually were dressed to 1 5/8 x 3 5/8. Some magical transformation occured and they claim that making a 2 x 4 smaller does NOT make it weaker Right.
JackM

fgabriel09

I, for one, am glad I don't have to go to the store and ask for 1.45739" x 3.5231" x 91.9675" lumber!

bofusmosby

I hear you about the old lumber for the older houses. What I do is to salvage some of the old wood that is laying around after a house has been torn down. You take one of the old 2" X 4"'s, run it through a planer, and the wood looks great. Better than ANYTHING you can buy at the store today. This wood is soo strong, you have to pre-drill before you can put a nail in it. I usually use the over-sized wood, and plane it down to the exact size I need. It is a shame that most of this wood is just dumped in the landfills.

troubleseeker

It was in the "old days". Before modern lumber milling machinery framing lumber was "rough cut" only, it was not dressed down and smooth like todays woods. The boards came from the saw just as their dimensional name implied.

troubleseeker

So does that mean you have a 2" pipe when you use a piece of 3/4" copper with pipe insulation on it