How to Calculate Board Feet
Learn how to calculate board feet with the formula, a quick chart and worked pricing examples.
Lumber & Species
24 articles on lumber & species from the Lumber Lookup blog.
How to Price Lumber
Learn how to price lumber by the board foot, species and grade, with worked examples.
Kiln Drying Lumber
Kiln drying lumber explained — schedules, moisture targets, defects to avoid and kiln types.
Lumber Grades Explained
Lumber grades explained in plain terms — FAS, Select, No. 1 Common and softwood grades.
Hardwood vs Softwood: Density, Uses, Drying and Price Differences
Hardwood vs softwood explained — what the labels mean, density, uses, drying behaviour and price gaps.
Log Scaling Guide: Doyle, Scribner and International Rules Compared
Doyle, Scribner and International 1/4 rules compared with worked examples — which rule should your deal use?
White Oak Lumber: Properties, Grades, Prices and Best Uses
White oak lumber explained — Janka hardness, NHLA grades, published prices per board foot and best uses.
Black Walnut Lumber: Why It Commands a Premium and How to Sell It
Black walnut lumber — published prices, NHLA grades and best uses for America's premium hardwood.
Air Drying Lumber: Stacking, Stickering, Timelines and Mistakes
Air drying lumber done right — stacking, sticker spacing, end coating and species drying timelines.
Best Wood Moisture Meters for Sawmillers and Lumber Sellers
Best wood moisture meters compared — pin vs pinless, species correction and depth for kilns and sales.
Douglas Fir Lumber: Strength, Grades and Why Builders Specify It
Douglas fir lumber — strength, WWPA grades, drying and the jobs builders specify it for.
Southern Yellow Pine Lumber: Grades, Treatment and Markets
Southern yellow pine lumber — SPIB grades, pressure treatment and Southeast markets for buyers.
Hard Maple Lumber: Hardness, Figure, Grades and Uses
Hard maple lumber — Janka hardness, grades, workability and where sugar maple earns its price.
American Cherry Lumber: Colour Change, Grades and Premium Uses
American cherry lumber — colour, grades, aging and pricing for furniture-grade stock.
Lumber Prices per Board Foot by Species: How to Read and Use a Price List
Lumber prices per board foot explained — species, grade, tally and moisture drivers.
Hickory Lumber: The Toughest US Hardwood — Uses, Grades and Selling It
Hickory lumber — shagbark strength, grades and uses from tool handles to flooring.
Ash Lumber Emerald Ash Borer Salvage: Milling Dead Ash Before It's Lost
Ash lumber and emerald ash borer salvage — milling dead ash before the borer ruins the log.
Best Lumber Kilns for Small Sawmills: Dehumidification, Solar and Steam
Best lumber kilns for small sawmills — dehumidification and vacuum options by capacity.