Tips for Planning and Building a Deck

With the spring and summer months approaching, it is time to start taking action on that deck you have been planning to build or update. Let's face it, in Minnesota we need to take advantage of every opportunity to enjoy the out-of-doors once the weather warms up, and a functional deck can provide an opportunity to do just that. With endless options and possibilities, you can create the perfect deck for your home and lifestyle.

First, you should consider how much space you really have and are willing to dedicate to your deck. Depending on the layout of your home, you will first want to decide if you would like the deck raised or basically even with the ground. If you have the option of building a deck on the second or third story of your home, it is possible to create a combination of spaces among the different levels. Take a look at your home and yard, assess how much space you have, and decide how to best use what you have available.

Next, think about what you really want to use the deck for. Will you be laying back trying to get some sun, or looking to entertain family and friends? Maybe you want to enjoy an evening fire, or a chance to get outside and grill that perfect steak. Perhaps all those summer activities sound about right! When planning your deck it is crucial to think about the activities and style of living you want to get out of your new addition.

Once you have your plan, you'll need to decide on a material for the decking. You can go with all natural wood, like Cedar, or a treated wood option. Composite materials are also available and can be a good option for durability and lasting finishes. Another feature to consider are railings to add a finishing touch. Depending on the style of your deck, you may want have a railing to surround the edges or lining the stairs. Aluminum deck railings are a great solution because of their potential custom appearance, ease of installation, and virtually maintenance free existence.

We are here to help, so give us a call, shoot us an email, or come on down to the lumber yard and let us know what you have in mind. Our experienced staff will be able to answer any questions you may have and provide you with quality information on deck choices and materials. There are endless possibilities, so don't hesitate to ask about an idea that you might have. Let's enjoy the warm weather while it lasts!

Ultimate Insert Double Hung Window from Marvin Windows

If you haven't replaced your old drafty windows yet, it may be time to think about replacing them in the warmer months to come. We all know how high heating bills can be through Minnesota winters, but we also rely on air conditioning quite a lot in the summertime as well. By updating the windows and patio doors in your home, you could potentially save up to 25% on your heating and cooling bills. Marvin Windows is one of the most trusted window manufacturers in the market and their Ultimate Insert Double Hung Window is the ultimate choice for your standard window replacement.

In 1955, Marvin made its first double hung window and their commitment to quality and craftsmanship still exists today. The have worked hard over the years to better their product, offer more options, and push the standards of building. Marvin has been family owned and operated since its inception in Warroad, MN, and that's how they view their customers as well, as family. Hiawatha Lumber is proud to carry Marvin products and has been one of their premier dealers for many years.

When searching for replacement windows, the Ultimate Insert Double Hung is a great alternative to vinyl replacement windows. The best part is that you do not have to remove the current frame, change your trim, take out existing wallpaper, or damage your siding. Marvin's frame-in-frame design is built and measured to your specific window space, so there is a perfect fit every time.

Marvin's insert double hung will fit perfectly with your style as well. You'll be able to choose from a variety of wood types, hardware finishes, and clad colors. The tilting sash allows for easy cleaning, and you can choose from a flat or beveled frame to ensure a secure fit for your home. The quality insulating glass will save you money and help save the environment at the same time.

Replacing your outdated windows and patio doors is one of the smartest investments you can make for your home. You will add lasting value and improve appearance while cutting your heating and cooling bills by up to 25%.

Hiawatha Lumber is your trusted source for Marvin Windows in Minneapolis, MN and the surrounding metro area. Our knowledgeable staff can help you troubleshoot a project and help you pick out the right window or door for your specific needs. Please contact us today!

Lumber Sizing Chart and Dimension Information

When making your lumber purchase for your next project, big or small, make sure you are knowledgeable about the different sizes of lumber you may be working with.  If you are not familiar with the basic sizing and dimensions of lumber available, it could cost you money and time on your job.  Hiawatha Lumber has put together this helpful page on lumber sizes to make your lumber buying experience easier.

There are two basic ways to buy lumber, finished and rough sawn.  You may be the most familiar with finished lumber, as it is featured in most home improvement stores and lumber yards.  It is widely used for construction and framing purposes, as well home improvement projects.  For sizing purposes, it is generally referred to as dimensional lumber and is cut to a standard depth, and width, in inches.  There are standard lengths as well, but the distinctions and naming of dimensional lumber come from depth and width.  A common example is the 2x4, which is widely used for many applications.

Finished lumber has been planed and dried, giving it a smooth exterior and clean look.  It is important to note that because of this drying process, the actual size of a 2x4 is 1.5 inches x 3.5 inches.  The wood will shrink from its original size during the finishing process and this must be accounted for when making your plans.  Please see our charts below for softwood and hardwood lumber dimensions.

Another option is rough sawn lumber and it is measured a little differently.  Rough sawn lumber is not finished, so therefore is not planed or dried, just cut and shipped.  This type of lumber is much cheaper than finished wood and can be used to create very custom touches to homes or furniture. 

Rough sawn lumber can be measured in two ways, by the board foot and quarter sizing.  The most common way that rough sawn lumber is measured is by the board foot.  A board foot is equivalent to a section of wood 12 inches long x 12 inches wide and 1 inch in thickness, or 144 total cubic inches.  To calculate the board foot measurement of a particular segment of wood, multiply the length x width x thickness of the wood in inches and then divide by 144.  The other measuring method called quarter sizing reflects the number of quarters of an inch thick the lumber is, with length and width varying dependant upon the type of wood.  Rough sawn lumber comes in "true" thicknesses and a "4/4" board is four quarters, or 1 inch thick.

It is important to determine what type of wood you will be using and exactly what measurements are required before starting any job or project.  Please use the tables as a resource for sizing lumber.  Thanks for reading our blog and please visit our website for more information about lumber in the Minneapolis area.

Softwood Lumber Dimensions
Nominal (in)	Actual	Nominal (in)	Actual	Nominal (in)	Actual
1 × 2	3⁄4 in × 1 1⁄2 in (19 mm × 38 mm)	2 × 2	1 1⁄2 in × 1 1⁄2 in (38 mm × 38 mm)	4 × 4	3 1⁄2 in × 3 1⁄2 in (89 mm × 89 mm)
1 × 3	3⁄4 in × 2 1⁄2 in (19 mm × 64 mm)	2 × 3	1 1⁄2 in × 2 1⁄2 in (38 mm × 64 mm)	4 × 6	3 1⁄2 in × 5 1⁄2 in (89 mm × 140 mm)
1 × 4	3⁄4 in × 3 1⁄2 in (19 mm × 89 mm)	2 × 4	1 1⁄2 in × 3 1⁄2 in (38 mm × 89 mm)	6 × 6	5 1⁄2 in × 5 1⁄2 in (140 mm × 140 mm)
1 × 6	3⁄4 in × 5 1⁄2 in (19 mm × 140 mm)	2 × 6	1 1⁄2 in × 5 1⁄2 in (38 mm × 140 mm)	8 × 8	7 1⁄4 in × 7 1⁄4 in (184 mm × 184 mm)
1 × 8	3⁄4 in × 7 1⁄4 in (19 mm × 184 mm)	2 × 8	1 1⁄2 in × 7 1⁄4 in (38 mm × 184 mm)
1 × 10	3⁄4 in × 9 1⁄4 in (19 mm × 235 mm)	2 × 10	1 1⁄2 in × 9 1⁄4 in (38 mm × 235 mm)
1 × 12	3⁄4 in × 11 1⁄4 in (19 mm × 286 mm)	2 × 12	1 1⁄2 in × 11 1⁄4 in (38 mm × 286 mm)

Hardwood Lumber Dimensions
Nominal	Surfaced 1 Side (S1S)	Surfaced 2 sides (S2S)
1⁄2 in	3⁄8 in (9.5 mm)	5⁄16 in (7.9 mm)
5⁄8 in	1⁄2 in (13 mm)	7⁄16 in (11 mm)
3⁄4 in	5⁄8 in (16 mm)	9⁄16 in (14 mm)
1 in or 4⁄4 in	7⁄8 in (22 mm)	13⁄16 in (21 mm)
1 1⁄4 in or 5⁄4 in	1+1⁄8 in (29 mm)	1+1⁄16 in (27 mm)
1 1⁄2 in or 6⁄4 in	1+3⁄8 in (35 mm)	1+5⁄16 in (33 mm)
2 in or 8⁄4 in	1+13⁄16 in (46 mm)	1+3⁄4 inches (44 mm)
3 in or 12⁄4 in	2+13⁄16 in (71 mm)	2+3⁄4 in (70 mm)
4 in or 16⁄4 in	3+13⁄16 in (97 mm)	3+3⁄4 in (95 mm)

Rough Sawn Quarters
Nominal	Actual
2/4	1⁄2 in (13mm)
4/4	1 in (26 mm)
6/4	1 1⁄2 in (39 mm)
8/4	2 in (51mm)
10/4	2 1⁄2 in (64mm)

An Introduction to Different Types of Wood and Lumber

Hiawatha Lumber wants to help you make the most informed decision possible when it comes to your next home or building project, so in this post we have provided an introduction to different types of wood and lumber.  We plan to keep offering more detailed information on this and other subjects as we continue to grow our new blog.  We hope you find the following articles helpful and please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or comments.

Choosing the right wood for the right job is crucial.  Like any building material, it is a good idea to do your research and avoid any costly mistakes.  Plus, the better you understand the wood your working with, the better your final product will be.

There are many different types of wood, over 1000 in the US alone, and about 100 of these are used for lumber.  All wood can be categorized into two basic groups, hardwood and softwood.  Hardwood comes from deciduous (or leaf bearing) trees and softwood comes from coniferous (or cone bearing) trees.  Don’t let the names confuse you, as a hardwood may actually be very soft and softwood may be quite hard.  This is why it is important to know the specific characteristics of the wood you plan to work with and what you want to use it for.

Hardwood is commonly used in flooring, doors, window & door frames and mouldings.  Wood is porous, and has microscopic openings on its surface.  In this regard, there are two types of hardwood; one with smaller pores called closed grain, and one with larger pores called ring porous.  Examples of hardwood include Oak, Maple, Cherry, and Mahogany.

Softwood is widely used for framing and finishing depending on where you live.  All softwood is a closed grain and is the most commonly used wood for timber around the world.  Some examples of softwood are Cedar, Pine and Redwood.

Now that you know a little bit about the types of wood and lumber available, let’s take a look at some the different grades of lumber.  Standard grade, or construction lumber, is rough, but quite sturdy and is broadly used for framing. The grade 1 common refers to wood that has small, tight knots that won’t fall out. 2 common is similar and has slightly larger knots, and 3 common will have the largest knots in this group.  These types of woods are good for paneling, shelving, and other general woodworking projects.  A clear grade has no knots on its surface and is considered top of the line when compared to other grades.

In our next article we will explore the different types of wood in more detail, as well as breaking down how lumber is sized.  If you would like more information about lumber in Minneapolis, please visit our website.

Welcome to Hiawatha Lumber's New Blog!

Hello and welcome to Hiawatha Lumber's new blog!  We are very excited about starting our new blog and plan to bring you some great posts, pictures and videos.  Hiawatha Lumber is a full service lumber yard located in Minneapolis, MN.  We specialize in lumber, millwork and replacement windows.  Our customer service and quality product set us apart, and delivery is always available to the metro area.  We handle remodeler, builder, industrial and homeowner accounts.  Basically, we are a traditional lumber yard servicing modern needs.  To learn more about us and the products we offer, please visit www.hiawathalumber.com.  Thank you and we look forward to helping you with your next project!