2 x 4 shrinkage

[Steve Ruch]

My house was built in 1924 when 2x4s were actually 2x4.

 

[Minbari]

That last one looks like a 3x1.5. Every 2x4 I have ever bought, even after 2019, is still 3.5 x 1.5

 

[Josh Hughes]

When I did construction (7 summers) we calculated them off by a quarter of an inch ifnwe needed a real precise measurement. Been 20 years though….

 

[The Brew Mentor]

I started in construction about 1980 and they haven't changed in size since then.
The biggest difference now it the fast grown lumber they are cut from today

 

[GFHomebrew]

My house was built in 1924 when 2x4s were actually 2x4.View attachment 28656

And look at the grain on the 2019 quite a young bit of timber!

 

[Donoroto]

My house was built in 1924 when 2x4s were actually 2x4.View attachment 28656

So wait: if the boards look smaller, wouldn't the universe be expanding? The wood stayed the same.

 

[Craigerrr]

So wait: if the boards look smaller, wouldn't the universe be expanding? The wood stayed the same.

The main building on my buddy's island cottage is over 100 years old, also made with full dimension lumber.

 

[west1m]

And look at the grain on the 2019 quite a young bit of timber!

Yup, looks like the 60's board grew up thirsty. Lot of dry years, poor thing..

 

[Minbari]

You can still get 5/4 lumber at some places, but it costs more

 

[Vodka Drunkenski]

When I did construction (7 summers) we calculated them off by a quarter of an inch ifnwe needed a real precise measurement. Been 20 years though….

Yeah...it used to be 1/4 inch, now it's a full 1/2" off. I'd prefer rough cut any day.

 

[Daniel Parshley]

That last one looks like a 3x1.5. Every 2x4 I have ever bought, even after 2019, is still 3.5 x 1.5

Funny until you need to add sister floor beams and every one needs a shim before the support beam can be installed. Same for walls and sheet rock.

 

[Brewer #392460]

Here they were 4 x 2 but thats rough sawn, once dressed they were less. Now they are 90mm x 45mm, thats about 3.5 x 1.75