Important to note: you really, seriously, don’t need the extra strength the bottom piece gives. It is simply a complete and utter waste of oldgrowth forrests to strive for that quality. Loadbearing posts and beams are made in quality assured, tested wood.
Often times, like 99% of the time, the dimensions of the wood isn’t determined by the strength required, but rather the insulation thickness required, size of internal installations like HVAC, or soundproofing requirements.
Yeah and the stuff’s all rated and graded anyways. New growth is perfectly fine to hold up a house, it’s what codes are based on. If a 2x4 isn’t enough, instead of speccing a higher grade that’s more expensive, just use 2x6.
It’s a total non issue, tradesmen know better than to spread this.
Lumber quality compared:
Important to note: you really, seriously, don’t need the extra strength the bottom piece gives. It is simply a complete and utter waste of oldgrowth forrests to strive for that quality. Loadbearing posts and beams are made in quality assured, tested wood.
Often times, like 99% of the time, the dimensions of the wood isn’t determined by the strength required, but rather the insulation thickness required, size of internal installations like HVAC, or soundproofing requirements.
Top one is pine, bottom one looks like oak?
Not even the same timber if so. Pine is softwood Oak is hardwood.
Yeah and the stuff’s all rated and graded anyways. New growth is perfectly fine to hold up a house, it’s what codes are based on. If a 2x4 isn’t enough, instead of speccing a higher grade that’s more expensive, just use 2x6.
It’s a total non issue, tradesmen know better than to spread this.
Then why do new houses feel like they’re made of sticks and plastic?
Yup. Every single comparison you see of “Old growth vs new growth” it’s always a different wood species.
Bottom one is old growth fir.
Thanks for the ID