Glossary of Hardwood Related Terms

What do the numbers in the lumber dimensions mean and what sizes does Bristol Valley Hardwoods carry?

How long is a Board Foot?

What grade of lumber does Bristol Valley Hardwoods carry?

How is moisture content controlled in Bristol Valley's wood?

Does Bristol Valley Hardwoods give discounts on hardwood?

Does Bristol Valley Hardwoods accept orders with specific requirements
(custom sizing, etc.)?

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

S2S: surfaced 2 sides
RGH:  rough sawn, as it came off the lumber mill
S4S:  surfaced on all four sides
4/4:  one inch rough sawn
5/4:  one and one quarter inch rough sawn
6/4:  one and on half inches rough sawn
8/4:  two inches rough sawn
13/16:  one inch surfaced
BF:  board foot
J1E:  jointed (straightened) one edge
SD1-80:  sanded one side with 80 grit sandpaper
FAS:  first and seconds
FT:  foot or feet
IN:  inch, inches
JTD:  jointed
KD:  kiln dried
LBR:  lumber
LGR:  longer
LGTH:  length
LF:  linear foot
T&G:  tongue and grooved

LUMBER DIMENSIONS
Most hardwood lumber is sold under the “quarter” (1/4) system.  Four-1/4” to an inch.  In other words “4/4 rough” equals 1” thick, 5/4 equals 1-1/4” thick, 8/4 equals 2” thick, etc.

We carry a variety of hardwoods in several thicknesses.  Most of our 4/4 (1”) lumber is sold surfaced two sides (S2S) to 13/16” thick, random width & length.  We stock our most popular species…Red Oak, Cherry, Poplar and Hard Maple both rough sawn & S2S.  Material thicker than 1” is in stock as rough sawn and may be surfaced to your requirements.

Surfacing is available at a cost of 35 cents per board foot, with a $3 minimum charge.  Jointing the face, jointing an edge and ripping to width are each 15 cents a linear foot with a $2 minimum.  For surfaced four sides (S4S) material, add 35 cents a board foot for S2S and ANOTHER 45 cents a linear foot to joint, rip and joint.  Or call for pricing.  Sanding is available.  Call for pricing.  Glue up work is available at $6-9 a square foot.

BOARD FOOT CALCULATION
All hardwood is sold by the board foot (1 bf = 144 cubic inches.)  To calculate board feet, multiply length in inches by width in inches by thickness and divide by 144 inches (i.e. 96”L x 6” W x 1”T=576”.  Divided this by 144” = 4 bf.)  Board footage is calculated on lumber prior to surfacing.  Material less than one inch is tallied by the square foot.

LUMBER GRADES
We carry the premium grade of lumber according to the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA), First and Seconds (FAS).  FAS boards are generally 6” and wider, 8 feet and longer and must yield 91-2/3% clear cutting, one face.

MOISTURE CONTENT
All our domestic lumber is carefully kiln dried to 6-8% moisture content—a must for fine furniture or any project that will be used indoors.  To insure the proper moisture content, all Bristol Valley Hardwoods lumber is properly stored in racks in a controlled environment.  All our lumber is sold under the net or dry scale rules.  When you buy 100 bf. Of lumber you receive 100 bf. of lumber.

DISCOUNTS
To pass along discounts to every level of woodworker, we have developed BVH bonus packages.  In addition, we offer a 15% discount on 500 bf to 999 bf., and a 20% discount on 1,000 bf or more.  Discounts on 500 bf or more apply to mixed species and/or thickness orders at regular board foot prices.  All discounts are based on random width & length lumber.  Sorry, no sorting. THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO IPE ORDERS, JUST DOMESTIC WOODS. SORRY.

SELECTION OF SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
We are pleased to meet your specific project requirements.  If you request a particular size, have specific color requirements or specify clear two face lumber, we reserve the right to charge an additional 10% for the selection process.  If we can furnish this material without much extra effort, we will waive the fee.