Different projects call for different types of wood. And there's a wide variety for you to choose from. If you're planning outdoor construction, use pressure-treated lumber, which resists rot and may be placed in direct contact with the ground. Treated lumber is available in standard construction grade and with a water-resistant coating. A grading system indicates the properties and quality of a piece of lumber. Most lumber products are stamped with the information you'll need (figure A). For example, grade .40 can make ground contact without rotting and is good for deck construction. Number-2 lumber is above-average in quality and can be used in most applications where it will be visible. Number-1 lumber is better quality, with fewer knots and blemishes. If you're framing a wall, you'll need standard wall studs (figure B), which are made of softer woods such as spruce, pine and fir. It's okay for wall studs to have visible blemishes and knots because they'll be hidden behind the dry wall, but make sure the lumber is straight. Number-2 pine is harder than the wood used for wall studs and is more difficult to drive screws and nails into. It's often used for rafters or floor systems. Number-2 white pine is harder wood that's generally used for shelving that will be painted. Number-3 white pine (figure C) has visible flaws but is acceptable for framing applications. Both primed and unfinished molding products are available. If you plan to stain the wood, purchase "clear" molding, which is made of solid pieces of wood with no finger joints. Finger-joint molding has visible joints along each piece. It's less expensive than clear molding, but it doesn't look good if stained. Finished molding is available in several different finishes. If you like the look of wood without the high price, consider styrene products with a simulated wood-grain finish. In rooms such as unfinished garages and basements, you'll probably use furring strips (figure D) to support pegboards and other projects that need to be held away from the wall. Furring strips are usually 1" by 4" boards made from number-3 or number-4 pine. For interior projects, consider using red oak, which is good for stair treads as well as other flooring and trim projects. Choose "select grain," which has no visible defects (figure E). Poplar is a little softer than oak but has a similar appearance when stained. Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir and red cedar are excellent exterior woods. They resist termites and rot, and they weather to a gray finish.
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