The Long Process of Lumber Preparation Before Usage

Lumber comes from trees. But all this includes long processing. As a result of these long processing, lumber is formed. Only then the desired purpose is achieved. To use that, lumber takeoff services are needed to understand the requirements for a given project.

Trees that Provide Lumber

Two sorts of timber are prepared from trees and hence they are classified as such. These are softwood and hardwood. Both are distinguished as per the presence of moisture in the tree and then in the timber. Thus, lumber comes from pine, spruce, cedar, and fir as softwood & hardwood from maple, oak, hickory, mahogany, and walnut.

These are first cut, then chopped, and later processed and this is how usable timber or lumber is prepared.

The Processes

Overall, the long process of lumber preparation includes various set of processes. This begins as lumberjacks visit the woods along with their machinery and cut down trees used for lumber. Once cut the stems are cleared of their branches. Then, these stems are chopped into easy-to-transport from the woods to the processing industry.

At this point, these processes are carried:

Head Rig

This is the first step in aggregate processing. It is simply cutting the stems into sawn pieces of board. 

Edging

This comes after making sawn pieces and boards. These have irregular edges. In this step, these edges are removed from the pieces.

Trimming

This step further smooths the edges and makes them into uniform pieces. In this process among the long process of lumber preparation, the square edges are curved. 

Rough Lumber Sorting

Pieces are classified as per their dimensions and the condition of moisture. The one having moisture is labeled as green and the one without moisture as dry.

Stickering

The lumber is set to dry in the open air. It is stacked with spacers in the outer environment. This way the air passes through the material and readies it for the kiln drying. This eliminates moisture to a great extent.

Drying

While stickering includes drying in the open air, later on, pieces are placed in a controlled environment to dry. This step speeds up the process even faster for the long process of lumber preparation.

Planing

The exterior is finally made smooth enough. This step ensures that each and every piece has a uniform thickness and width.

Grading

Finally, the fully ready timber pieces are graded as per their quality. This judgment is made visually as per knots and the physical appeal.

Before acquiring it for any construction project, it is best to have appropriate estimating like electrical estimating services. As these come with all the details about the requirements specific to the project at hand. 

Acquiring and Installing

Once all the long process of lumber preparation are complete, lumber is acquired and installed. Just as a project containing lumber is confirmed, lumber contractors are hired.

It is up to the concerned contractors to hire specialized labor and materials. In the case of labor, they are highly experienced in hiring the right people. While in some cases they have already hired a labor force for multiple projects.

Next, the material is hired through takeoffs. These come with all the details about lumber requirements. This way, lumber is of appropriate specifications and in quantity.

The labor involves carrying out all the installation activities. They understand how to handle lumber in the right manner. For that, they utilize certain machinery and tools to carry out all the activities.

Installing includes cutting, fixing, and finishing. 

Lumber labor experts first cut the acquired lumber as per the need. This needs to be precise otherwise the piece is lost and goes to waste. They require a steady hand to cut the acquired pieces into the required shapes. Their expertise allows them to carry it out as needed.

Afterward, the cut pieces are either glued or bolted to the intended location for the long process of lumber preparation in usage. The material comes with both options. Glue too is capable of holding lumber together but this applies to uses where little weight is concerned. While bolts and nails are used where large weight is concerned.

Lastly, finishing is applied. This includes a number of finishing materials. These materials are applied to the surface of the lumber fixed. This performs both protective and appealing functions.

Conclusion

Lumber is used for various reasons and purposes. But first, it needs long process of lumber preparation before it can be used. This processing cover cutting trees all the way making it available for usage. This includes cutting, chopping, head rig, edging, trimming, rough lumber sorting, stickering, drying, planing, and grading. Afterward, the final processed lumber is acquired and installed. This depends on the lumber contractors and then the labor force hired them. To understand their usage in a construction project, different services are needed such as drywall estimating services can be availed.