All Things Studs

What is a Stud?

Today our expert, Dustin Heusser, Senior Lumber Trader with Plateau Forest Products, LLC (PFP) will not only cover that question, but he’ll also cover the different types of stud options and why you should call our team of experts to assist you with your buying needs.

Studs are usually manufactured in 2x4 or 2x6 widths, and are used primarily for vertical applications in both exterior and interior walls.?In load bearing walls, studs are used structurally to transfer weight of the roof down to the foundation, as well as in non-load bearing walls, simple partitions to rooms and closets that don’t offer much structural integrity.?

How Wooden Wall Studs Work

Wooden wall studs are more common and less expensive than steel studs. They generally come in two dimensions: 1-1/2 in. x 3-1/2 in. (called two-by-four), or 1-1/2 in. x 5-1/2 in. (called two-by-six),?both come in standard lengths of 92-5/8 in., 104-5/8 in., and 116-5/8 in. but can be trimmed at any length. More importantly, all studs in any wall need to be the same length, therefore they are held to tight manufacturing specifics, and by grade, must be trimmed to within 1/16 of an inch to the actual specified length.?Typical houses are built using 2x6 for exterior walls and 2x4 for interior walls.

Studs are positioned perpendicular to the wall they’re forming to give strength and create space for wires, pipes, and insulation. Studs are sandwiched between two horizontal boards called top and bottom plates. These boards are nailed to the top and bottom ends of the studs, forming the complete wall frame. Studs are usually spaced 16 in. or 24 in. apart. These distances allow them to line up with the edges of standard 4x8 ft. sheet materials, such as plywood and?drywall, which are fastened to the stud frame after construction. Stud-frame construction isn’t new, and most new homes in North America are still built this way because it’s fast, inexpensive, and surprisingly strong.

The Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)?is the official state tree of Oregon and as such, Oregon and the neighboring states produce the vast majority of?these studs.?Sourced locally, Doug Fir trees and the studs produced from them are known for their strength and durability. Being one of the strongest softwood species available makes green or dry Doug Fir a popular choice for a wide variety of building needs from residential to commercial building.

While there are many species options to choose from, PFP focuses primarily on Doug fir, Hem fir, and White fir studs.?The majority of studs PPF trades are kiln dried (KD), however Green Doug Fir (GDF) is the predominant product on the West Coast.?Precision end trimmed (PET) studs typically come in two trim options, being 1/4 in. and 5/8 in., but can be any length a builder chooses.?Almost all 1/4 in. trimmed studs are used on the West Coast with the majority being into the state of California in both green and kiln dried varieties.?5/8 in. trims are almost exclusively sold as kiln dried and used throughout the rest of North America.?Wherever you're located in the US, we can reach your location with our competitively prices products.?We often send studs from our home state of Oregon to the Midwest, South, and the Northeast United States.?

No matter where you are located in the US, the studs we trade can competitively reach your location.?

Regardless of your next project, the team at Plateau Forest Products, LLC has the relationships, expertise and experience to deliver the best building materials available.??

Please reach out to our team of experts @ (541) 385-7675 or on our website for?more information?about how we can improve your profit margins while supporting American businesses all over the country.