How Much Does A 2×6 Weigh

 How Much Does A 2×6 Weigh
How Much Does A 2×6 Weigh?

How Much Does A 2x6 Board WeighEven the most carefully planned building project can quickly become derailed if you forget to calculate your lumber weight before you start loading your truck. Knowing the different causes for 2×6 weight variation can help you stay organized and keep your detailed plans on-track.

On average, a 2×6 weighs 12 lbs. for an 8-foot-long board. This number changes, however, depending on several important variables, so it’s crucial to understand the factors that may cause your lumber weight to vary.

Why Does 2×6 Weight Vary?

Why Does 2x6 Weight VaryWhen you’re designing a building project, chances are you’ve thought about the best length and type of wood for the job. Another important detail to remember is that both of these things affect the overall weight of your lumber.

Species of tree, length, moisture content and treatment all change the weight of a 2×6, and subsequently, how many 2x6s will fit in your truck.

Weight Difference of 2x6 lumber based On Tree Species

Weight Difference Based On Tree Species

Every tree is unique. From their leaves to their roots, each species has its own special properties, and this extends to weight. The wood of different trees varies in density, so the weight per foot is different for each type.

weight of treated and untreated 2x6 lumber 2x6

Weight Of 2x6s: Treated Vs Untreated

In order to prevent water damage and pests, some lumber is treated by soaking in liquid preservatives. Because the wood holds the moisture of the preservatives, treated 2x6s are often significantly heavier than untreated ones.

Freshly treated lumber can have a moisture content of up to 75%, but this decreases over time as the wood dries. The most commonly treated lumber is Southern Yellow Pine, making it the most popular wood for outdoor building projects that need to withstand environmental conditions.

2x6s Weight Based On Moisture Content

2x6s Weight Based On Moisture Content

As I mentioned above, lumber with a higher moisture content is heavier than dry wood. Treatment is not the only factor that affects moisture content, however.

Wood is very porous, and the cells take in moisture from the air around them. Kiln-dried wood has been heated to evaporate the moisture from the lumber in question, making kiln-dried 2x6s lighter than those made from green wood, which hasn’t gone through a drying process.

Weight Difference Of 2x6s Based on Length

Weight Difference Of 2x6s By Length

Length also affects the total weight of a 2×6. Since lumber varies in length as well as the factors above, weight by foot is the most reliable way to determine the overall weight of your lumber haul.

Multiply the weight by foot by the total length to determine the length of one 2×6, then use this calculation to determine the total weight of your load.

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Weight Of A 2x6x8

Weight Of A 2x6x8Species, moisture content, and treatment all affect the weight per foot of a 2×6. The last factor that contributes to the overall weight is length. Below I’ve calculated the weight of 2x6x8s for several different tree species.

Weight Of A Ponderosa Pine 2x6x8

Ponderosa Pine is also called western yellow, bull, and blackjack pine. The most common growth areas for this species are Oregon, California, and Washington. Jeffrey Pine, which grows closely with Ponderosas in California and Oregon, is often marketed and sold under the same name. A Ponderosa Pine 2x6x8 weighs about 12.8 lbs.

Weight Of A Douglas Fir 2x6x8

Douglas Fir trees are locally known as red or yellow-firs depending on their age. Young trees have red heartwood and are called red firs while old-growth wood is yellow-brown in color and is called yellow fir. A 2x6x8 Douglas Fir board weighs approximately 15.6 lbs.

Weight Of A Western Hemlock 2x6x8

Western Hemlock is a northern tree that grows along the Pacific coast of Oregon and Washington as well as in the Northern Rocky Mountains, Canada, and Alaska. While Western and Mountain Hemlock grow in the same regions of North America, they are treated as separate species when assigning lumber properties. A Western Hemlock 2x6x8 weighs about 13.4 lbs.

Weight Of A Southern Yellow Pine 2x6x8

Southern Yellow Pine is actually a pine group consisting of the species Longleaf Pine, Slash Pine, Shortleaf Pine, and Loblolly Pine. The calculations in this article are for Longleaf Pine. A 2x6x8 board weighs approximately 18.72 lbs.

Weight Of A 2x6x10

Weight Of A 2x6x10While it can seem tedious to calculate the weight of lumber based on so many factors, length is the last element to account for. I multiplied the weight per foot of four different tree species by 10 to calculate the following 2x6x10 weights.

Weight Of A Ponderosa Pine 2x6x10

The low-grade lumber from a Ponderosa Pine is used for boxes and crates, while the clear wood is saved for doors, paneling and built-in cabinets. A board measuring 2x6x10 weighs approximately 16.0 lbs.

Weight Of A Douglas Fir 2x6x10

The weight of a Douglas Fir 2×6 tends to vary depending on the location of the tree. The weights I have calculated in this article are those of a Coastal Douglas Fir, but the range of this species extends from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific Coast and from Mexico to British Colombia. The estimated weight of a Douglas Fir 2x6x10 is 19.5 lbs.

Weight Of A Western Hemlock 2x6x10

It’s worth noting that Western Hemlock wood often contains small, black knots as well as dark streaks from hemlock bark maggots. Generally, neither of these flaws affect the strength or stability of the lumber. A Western Hemlock 2x6x10 weighs approximately 16.7 lbs.

Weight Of A Southern Yellow Pine 2x6x10

Longleaf and Slash Pine are the heaviest and strongest of the Southern Yellow pines. They are dense, stiff, and high in shock resistance. A 2x6x10 longleaf board weighs approximately 23.4 lbs.

Weight Of A 2x6x12

Weight Of A 2x6x12The weights I’ve calculated below are for 2x6x12 boards. The tree types are four commonly marketed species you are likely to encounter when buying lumber for your projects.

Weight Of A Ponderosa Pine 2x6x12

While it has a medium stiffness, Ponderosa Pine is moderately low in weight, strength, and shock resistance. It also has low shrinkage with a uniform texture and is unlikely to warp and twist. A Ponderosa Pine 2x6x12 weighs about 19.2 lbs.

Weight Of A Douglas Fir 2x6x12

While the wood from Douglas Fir trees is used in a variety of ways, a considerable amount of it is used for railroad crossties, mine timbers, poles, and fencing due to its strength. An average Douglas Fir 2x6x12 weighs about 23.4 lbs.

Weight Of A Western Hemlock 2x6x12

Western Hemlock is a moderate wood in both weight and strength. Its hardness, stiffness, and shock-resistance are also middle-of-the-road. A 2x6x12 board weighs about 20.1 lbs.

Weight Of A Southern Yellow Pine 2x6x12

The calculations here are for an untreated board, but Southern Yellow Pine is most likely to be treated with preservatives. Production of preservative treated lumber and the manufacturing pf wood composites from Southern Yellow Pine are both major wood-using industries. A 2x6x12 untreated board weighs about 28.1 lbs.

Weight Of A 2x6x16

Weight Of A 2x6x16All of the calculations I’ve made are for untreated boards, so the weight will vary depending on whether or not your lumber has been treated. Southern Yellow Pine is the most commonly treated wood, but other woods are also commonly treated with pesticides.

Weight Of A Ponderosa Pine 2x6x16

Ponderosa Pine is occasionally used for poles, posts, and crossties, but since it is relatively low in strength, it is more often used for blinds and crates, while knotty Ponderosa Pine is used for interior woodwork. A 2x6x16 board weighs about 25.6 lbs.

Weight Of A Douglas Fir 2x6x16

Douglas Fir is a strong wood for a variety of applications. You can commonly find it used in general millwork, laminate beams, boxes, pallets, and railroad car construction. It is occasionally used in flooring and furniture, but less often than other species of wood. A Douglas Fir 2x6x16 weighs 31.2 lbs.

Weight Of A Western Hemlock 2x6x16

One thing to consider about Western Hemlock is that the green wood contains a considerable amount of water and therefore takes longer to kiln-dry than a species like Douglas Fir. A Western Hemlock 2x6x16 weighs about 26.7 lbs.

Weight Of A Southern Yellow Pine 2x6x16

Southern Yellow Pine is commonly used for poles, crossties, and exterior decking. Its strength also means it is extensively used in stringers when building factories, warehouses, bridges, trestles, and docks. A Southern Yellow Pine 2x6x16 weighs 37.4 lbs.

How Many 2x6s Will Fit In My Pickup Truck?

How Many 2x6s Will Fit In My Pickup TruckYou’re likely looking for the best way to transport all the lumber you need as quickly as possible. You need to hit the sweet spot between too light to be efficient and too heavy for your vehicle. To help make your project go as smoothly as possible, here are the calculations for how many 2x6s can fit in three common pickup truck models.

Ford F-150 Pickup Truck

The Ford F-150 can fit approximately 1,300 lbs. of cargo in the bed. This means that if you are transporting a load of standard, 12-lb. 2x6x8s, your truck can handle about 108 boards.

Ford F-150 Pickup Truck

Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

If you’re driving a Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup, your truck bed has a cargo capacity of 1,240 lbs. A standard 8-ft. 2×6 weighs around 12 lbs., so you can handle a haul of 103 8-ft. boards.

Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup

Chevy Silverado 1500 Pickup Truck

For a heavier load, the Chevy Silverado 1500 is the best bet with a cargo bed capacity of 1,650 lbs. If you have a large project, this is the truck for you since it can handle a 2x6x8 load of 137 12-lb. boards.

Chevy Silverado 1500 Pickup Truck

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