Lumber Basics
Rough Sawn
Lumber cut at the sawmill but not planed or surfaced, retaining a textured surface with visible saw marks and full sawn dimensions.
In-Depth Explanation
Rough-sawn lumber comes directly from the sawmill without smoothing and retains its full sawn thickness and width. A rough-sawn 1-inch board is actually a full inch thick, unlike surfaced lumber planed to 3/4 inch. Woodworkers often prefer rough-sawn stock because it allows them to mill wood to exact specifications, removing only minimum material. Rough-sawn lumber is also popular for rustic design applications like barn doors and accent walls where the textured surface adds character. It is typically less expensive per board foot than surfaced lumber, though it requires additional equipment to prepare.
Usage Example
I bought rough-sawn walnut at 5/4 thickness so I could plane it down to a full inch for the bookcase shelves.
Related Terms
surfaced-lumber
s4s
board