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> the "2 x 4" has never been 2 x 4 inches. Well, it used to be pretty close, until lumber manufacturers and builders cheaped out. They've been gradually "shri
by big_chungus 7y ago
> the "2 x 4" has never been 2 x 4 inches.
Well, it used to be pretty close, until lumber manufacturers and builders cheaped out. They've been gradually "shrinkflating" by reducing the thickness, conveniently requiring less wood. This went along with the switch to fast-growing garbage pine. I lived for a long time in an early-fifties house, and the quality of the wood was vastly superior to what you'd find today. Though, the newer measurements did make things a pain.
- Taniwha 7y agoHere in NZ when we switched to metric nothing changed, 2x4s (well we call the 4x2s) were never quite 2x4, and 50x100s (the metric replacement) are close enough (but still not quite) that nothing really changed
- oivaksef 7y agofour buh two
- Jamwinner 7y agoNo the difference is that we process wood now. Look up dimensional lumber. Its confusing, but makes sense if looked at historically. Iy is not shrinkflation or any other such nonsense.
- beerandt 7y agoWhile i don't doubt they're cheating it a bit, the dimensions originally refered to rough cut, pre-dried lumber. Most of the difference came from finish cuts and drying.
- a2tech 7y agoMy house was built in 1860. The 2x4s are basically 2x4.
- analog31 7y agoMy house was built in 1962, and there were some exposed studs, and spares made into things like garage shelves. The old 2x4's are bigger than new 2x4's.
- beerandt 7y agoYeah, I went through a remodel and dealt with the same thing, trying to get drywall to line up on old (1970) and new walls. There's more to it than that, but it's the quick version. On the other hand, if you find a smaller mill, usually the ones specializing in hardwood, you can still get "full size" cuts, usually without even asking.