The predominant use of dimension lumber in building construction is in framing of roofs, floors, shearwalls, diaphragms, and load bearing walls. Lumber may be used directly as framing materials or may be used to manufacture engineered structural products, such as light frame trusses or prefabricated wood I-joists. Special grade dimension lumber called lamstock (laminating stock) is manufactured exclusively for glulam.

Dimension lumber is categorized into the following four groups: Structural Light Framing, Structural Joists and Planks, Light Framing, and Studs. The table below shows the grades and uses for these groups.

Dimension Lumber - Grades and Uses

( Download this chart as a PDF.)