What's the best lumber for framing a house?
I'm planning on building an addition in spring on our cabin near Markleeville CA. Our local yard is proposing some rough sawn 6x2's as they reckon they're good for code, but as I've been reading some of your articles I was favoring using 2x4 CLS and framing a double stud wall I would then pack with cellulose. Thing is, the yard also proposed local sawn 2x4's which are cheaper than the CLS but I don't know whether these are going to be ok for framing as they seem pretty green? What does anyone think?
(Great website BTW)
You went to a lumber yard for help choosing the right wood for framing and they suggested framing a house with rough sawn lumber? How big is this lumber yard? Clearly you weren’t at Lowes or Home Depot, but was this someone peddling homemade framing lumber from the back of his barn? Did it come with a complimentary basket of carrots or load of manure? Sorry, couldn’t resist :)
Rough sawn timber is sometimes cheaper and I’ve used it, but only for a shed or as finishing wood. We have a page about wood for framing that may offer more insight than what you’ve just gotten, have a read here –
What are the Best Wood Types for Framing Homes?
CLS wood is an acronym for Canadian Lumber Standard, and it is manufactured using Kiln-dried fir, Pine or Spruce, depending on the part of Canada it came from. A CLS stamp on wood is pretty common to see in the US because Canadian framing lumber is very high quality (the maple syrup, toboggans and snowmen are also top shelf).
When lumber gets delivered it usually sits in the rain anyway so being green isn’t your biggest problem, it may be the lack of a stamp. Are you getting a permit for your addition? First maybe check with your local municipality and ask ‘Can you use rough sawn lumber for house framing’ And let us know what they say.
And, glad you like the site, thanks!