
THE WOOD GAP — Lumber prices set all-time high, while trees are stuck in the past
Southern yellow pine lumber prices went on an eight-week tear starting in mid-July, while tree farms stayed stuck in the Mississippi clay.
not generally - the 'run of the mill' (pun intended) 2x4 is typically this interesting species called SPF (related to MDF?). Actually this weird thing of Spruce Pine Fir.2x4's etc are not SYP
Actually this weird thing of Spruce Pine Fir.
What's so weird about it? It can be any one of the three: Spruce, Fir, or Pine.
2x4's etc are not SYP
Yes I realize that Jeff, but generally an acronym (for example SYP or MDF) is the name of ONE species or material, not a choice of three. That's all that's weird. Just humor me... I couldn't resist![]()
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Load tables give SYP a higher rating than SPF. It is definitely more dense with less deflection in equal spans with SYP, and usually the preferred lumber of choice when doing floor systems, trusses and LVL beams notwithstanding. Around CLT we've seen 7/16" OSB jump from ~$8.00/sheet to $29.50.
Yes Southern Yellow Pine is much better framing material than the SPF. Usually SPF is the Coastal or Blue spruce, Various quick growing pines or white pine or varieties of hemlock fir or relatives. SPF is really good for interior wall construction. Never use it in outdoor applications.
On the West Coast we used Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Not a true fir but a type of Larch which in many ways is superior to SYP. It twists less drying., less prone to splitting when nailing and has the highest Modulus of Elasticity (MOE). On the west coast it is usually cheaper than other woods, just depends when you get it. As of last week it was about 4 bucks for a 2x4x8. Here in Hawaii most of our framing wood is Borate treated, so here locally it is about 5.50 for a 2x4x8........ 2 years ago the same was 4 bucks for the same stud. This is why I have been buying so much hardwood ply. @ 5 bucks a sheet more than ACX, there is no real saving buying it.
The plywood they used in my house (built 45 years ago) is redwood-ply often wonder how much that would be today, if it is even made anymore.
I did a commercial building a few years back that had 2 x 6 x 12' exterior studs. The engineer specified spruce. The lumber supplier sent German Spruce, which appeared to be more dense than North American Spruce to the point that the framers thought it to be Kiln Dried Yellow Pine. Funny how it works that way sometimes. BTW, I have never seen anything other than SYP used in ACQ or CCA (now prohibited) treated applications unless it was a custom treatment, like oak flooring for a trailer.