Nominal vs. Rough Cut Lumber Sizes
The Difference Between Nominal Lumber and Rough Cut Lumber
Understanding the difference between nominal vs. rough cut lumber will help you make the right decision the next time you are purchasing lumber for a project. Fasteners Plus is here to help you navigate through some of the common questions regarding differences in cuts of lumber and the practical hangers and post bases that accommodate the lumber. Watch the video below to learn more!
Nominal Lumber Dimensions
Nominal lumber is the lumber you typically find at lumberyards or home improvement stores. It has already been dried and planed smooth (surfaced) on all four sides to its final thickness. An example of this is a 2x4” board measuring slightly less at 1-1/2” x 3-1/2”.
Rough Cut Lumber Dimensions
Rough cut lumber measures the true dimensions of the board. For example, a 2x4” piece of lumber will measure a true 2x4”. Rough cut lumber is sometimes referred to as “old lumber”. This wood usually shrinks over time, mostly in width.
Actual Lumber Dimensions
Actual dimensions are the actual measurements you would get with a tape measure when measuring a piece of lumber.
- Nominal 2x4 Actual dimensions = 1-1/2” x 3-1/2”
- Rough Cut 2x4 Actual Dimensions = 2” x 4”
To be prepared for shopping for lumber, take a tape measure to the lumber yard or home improvement store and measure the width of the boards. Rough-cut lumber generally has saw marks on the surface and rough edges whereas nominal lumber has a smooth and clean appearance overall.
Joist Hangers for Nominal and Rough Cut Lumber
When seeking hangers for a job, Fasteners Plus has you covered. We offer a variety of options for both rough cut and nominal lumber to meet a large range of applications including decking, floors, ceilings, and more.
Joist hangers provide a much stronger connection than using nails or screws alone. Simpsons ALPH24 Concealed Flange Light Joist Hanger is a top-selling product that stands the test of time for nominal lumber. There are also many different joist hanger shapes and sizes available that accommodate less common construction applications.
Some of the rough cut joist hanger options available include Simpsons APLH26R Rough Cut Hanger, Simpsons U46R Rough Cut Joist Hanger, and Simpsons LU28R-18 Rough Cut Joist Hanger.
Fasteners Plus makes it clear to distinguish if the hanger is designed for rough cut lumber with the "Rough Cut" badge on the top right of the image, the “R” listed in the part number, and “Rough Cut” in the product listing name. The screws compatible with this product are listed in the specifications tab under this product.
Post Bases for Nominal and Rough Cut Lumber
A broad collection of post bases for rough cut and nominal lumber are also available at FastenersPlus. Simpsons Ornamental Rough Cut Post Base is a reliable post base that secures wood columns to concrete and provides a 1" stand-off height to help reduce decay.
It is clear if a post base is intended for rough-cut lumber by the "Rough Cut" badge at the top right of the image, “R” in the part number, and “Rough Cut” in the product listing name. Simpsons APB66 Ornamental Post Base is a nominal cut option with a similar appearance to the rough cut post base pictured below. The screws compatible with this product are listed in the specifications tab for this product.
