American Lumber Company is a full service supplier of quality lumber. You will find in this heading of our website some of the items that we sell. If you do not see what you need, please give us a call, we can order special order many products including long lengths and large timbers such as 8x8.
American Lumber Company strives to stock above average green Douglas Fir Framing Lumber, primarily from Northern California and Oregon. Green refers to the fact the lumber has its natural moisture content, as opposed to being dry.
In the chart above, 1x4 means the board is a nominal 1 inch thick and 4 inches long. The actual sizes are usually ½ to ¾ inch less, so for example, a 2x4 is actually about 1 ½ inches thick, and about 3 ½ inches wide.
“And better” means that all lumber meets the grade specified, with some pieces being of a higher grade. American Lumber Company tries to buy lumber with as much higher grade as possible. For example, in “1x4 and 1x6 Utility and better“ boards, usually 85% is actually “Standard and better“, with only 15% or less being “Utility“.
If you require higher grades than the basic grades, American Lumber Company can usually find what you need for a small premium. “Construction“, “#1“, and “Select Structural“ are higher grades than “Standard“ or “#2“. If you require lumber that has a great appearance, you should request “Select for Appearance“. A small premium will be charged.
Please note some of the lengths shown below are underlined. This means they are cut out of a longer length. We don't sell many 2x8x8, for example, so if you want an 8' we will cut it out of a 16. This helps keep our lumber fresher, which can be a challenge in Modesto, especially during the hot summers.
Widths in Inventory | Lengths in Inventory |
1x4 Utility and better (also Hem fir, White fir, or Spruce-Pine-Fir) |
8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
1x6 Utility and better (also Hem fir, White fir, or Spruce-Pine-Fir) |
8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
2x10 #2 and better | 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20’ |
2x12 #2 and better | 8, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20’ |
2x4 Standard and better | 92-1/4”, 104-1/4”, 116-1/4”, 8’, 10, 12, 16, 18, 20’ |
2x6 #2 and better | 92-1/4”, 104-1/4”, 8’, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
2x8 #2 and better | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
4x10 #2 and better | 8, 10, 12, 16, 20’ |
4x12 #2 and better | 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 |
4x4 Standard and better | 8, 10, 12, 16, 20’ |
4x6 #2 and better | 8, 10, 12, 16, 20’ |
4x8 #2 and better | 8, 10, 12, 16, 20’ |
6x12 #1 and better | 8, 10, 12, 16, 20’ |
6x6 #1 and better | 8, 10, 12, 16, 20’ |
American Lumber Company also supplies you Redwood Decking. It is ideal for exterior projects such as decks, gates, fences or garden structures.
Deck Heart means that the wood is from the heart of the tree and has natural characteristics that resist decay. It has some knots of varying size and has also some slight imperfections. Deck grade is slightly superior to construction grade and is ideal for decks. It is graded for
strength.
If you want more information on Redwood Decking visit the Internet website of the California Redwood Association: www.calredwood.org
Widths in Inventory | Lengths in Inventory |
2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x12 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 ’ |
Widths in Inventory | Lengths in Inventory |
1x4, 1x6, 1x8, 1x12 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
1x6 bevel siding | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
1x6 Two lap siding | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
1x6 V Rustic Ship lap siding | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
1x8 bevel siding | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
1x8 V Rustic Ship lap siding | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x12 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
Widths in Inventory | Lengths in Inventory |
2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x12, 4x4 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
Widths in Inventory | Lengths in Inventory |
1x4*, 1x6*, 1x8*, 1x10, 1x12 | 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x12 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
Widths in Inventory | Lengths in Inventory |
4x4 | 7, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
4x6, 6x6 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20’ |
At American Lumber Company, Redwood lumber is available in a diversified array of types and grades. Moreover, American Lumber Company stocks a few clear redwood timbers. If you need more information, please call or e-mail us.
Construction grades of redwood include construction, deck, select and clear. Some lumberyards will sell merch (merchantable) grade redwood. This is not suitable for most construction situations, and can have severe defects, which is why we do not carry it at American Lumber Company.
Some points:
- Construction grade has knots and other defects, but it suitable for most situations
- Deck grade is slightly superior to construction grade and is ideal for decks
- Select grade has fewer knots and defects than construction grade
- Clear Lumber is almost 100% knot and defect free
American Lumber Company has several types of redwood in inventory. Here is information about the different grades and other characteristics :
Heartwood and Sapwood
Redwood lumber consists of heartwood, which is red in color, and sapwood, which is yellow in color. The heartwood has a natural resistance to decay which makes it ideal for exterior use. It is superior in its resistance to decay, so is recommended for “in ground” uses such as fence posts. Sapwood redwood usually works fine in “above ground” applications such as fence boards and decks. Redwood lumber that is 100% heartwood is designated “heart”.
Redwood lumber that is 100% sapwood (rare) or usually pieces with both sapwood and heartwood lose the “heart” designation. Heart grades of Redwood are more expensive than grades that allow sapwood.
Some grades include:
- Construction common (allows sapwood) and Construction Heart.
- Deck common (allows sapwood) and Deck Heart.
- Select (allows sapwood) and Select Heart.
- “A” Grade clear (allows sapwood) and Clear All Heart.
Dry versus Green
When lumber is milled it has the natural moisture of the tree. Such lumber is called “green” to reflect this fact. Over time lumber will dry out, and in some cases this process will cause lumber to go crooked or to warp. One way to minimize such problems is to dry lumber under controlled conditions. This is done through use of a kiln, in which case the lumber is called KD (Kiln Dried) or through careful natural drying which is called AD (Air Dry) or PAD (Partially Air Dried). Lumber which is partially air-dried may be more or less dry, so you really do not know what you are getting. Dry lumber is necessary for finish work, furniture manufacturing, or siding. Green lumber is fine for fencing. Decks can use either green or dry lumber, but at American Lumber Company we only sell dry redwood decking material because we believe it to be superior.
Rough, Resawn, and Surfaced
Rough redwood lumber has a surface that is practical for fence boards and siding. Rough lumber takes more paint or stain, and holds a finish better than surfaced (smooth) lumber.
Resawn lumber has a textured surface that is more uniform and smooth than rough lumber. It is often used for fascia and siding.
Surfaced lumber is smooth, often with eased (slightly rounded) edges.
At American Lumber Company our philosophy is to try to offer as many possible choices to the customer as possible. So, our Redwood fascia and sidings are usually offered with one resawn side, and one surfaced side. In this way one side of the board or the other will satisfy most needs. American Lumber Company keeps many grades of redwood with a rough texture. Such lumber can always be surfaced with the use of a planer, which American Lumber Company has in its mill facility.
Vertical Grain, Flat Grain, Mixed Grain
Some finish grades of redwood are offered in Vertical Grain (VG). This provides the best performance, and is also attractive. When looking at the surface of the board, the growth rings of the tree will be running up and down the board in a vertical fashion. Vertical grain is more expensive, and difficult to find. Flat Grain (FG) is the least expensive, but is fine for most situations. Mixed grain (MG) means there is a combination of grains in the wood, but the cautious buyer should assume such material is mostly flat grain. Lumber should be assumed to be mixed grain unless otherwise designated.
Redwood Siding
Redwood can be milled to produce decorative siding patterns. American Lumber Company stocks patterns including 2 lap siding, V-Rustic Ship Lap, and bevel siding. Other patterns are also available by special order.
If you want more information on Redwood Decking visit the Internet website of the California Redwood Association: www.calredwood.org
BB Oil and Edge Sealed Plyform
3/4" 4x8 Proform 1 Side
CDX, CCX, ACX, Hardwood's (Birch & Oak)
OSB - 8', 9' & 10' Sheets
Radiant Barrier Sheeting
Vinyl Covered Tackboards: 8', 9', & 10' (Moulding for Tackboard)
FRP Smooth & Pebbled: 8' & 10' (Moulding for FRP)
1231 Ninth Street, Modesto CA 95354
Phone: 209.578.5200
Fax: 209.578.1528
Monday - Friday: 7am to 5pm
sales@4x6.com