Dimensional Lumber Weight Calculator & Size Chart

A stack of 2x10 boards. This is dimensional lumber. Weight for each board is about 39 lbs.

What is Dimensional Lumber? Dimensional lumber is simply lumber that is produced with standardized dimensions. Standardized lumber dimensions such as “2 x 4” allow for a multitude of efficiencies in construction. Subcategories of dimensional lumber include appearance framing lumber, beams, joists, light framing lumber, planks, posts, stringers, structural light framing lumber, studs, and timbers. The lumber …

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Roof Cement: What It Is & How to Use It

A can of Henry Wet Patch roof cement.

I participate in the Amazon affiliate program and may earn commissions from purchases made through links on this page. Introduction I spent years managing a very large portfolio of commercial roofs for a well known roof consultant firm. (Well-known in the industry, it’s not like we were celebrity roof consultants or anything). Our clients included …

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Correct Backer Rod Sizes • Sizing Chart • All Joint Widths

A box of 3-inch closed-cell backer rod lying on an EPDM roof.

I participate in the Amazon affiliate program and may earn commissions from purchases made through links on this page. What is Backer Rod? A backer rod is a cylindrical piece of foam material installed in a gap or joint between building materials to provide a substrate for building sealant. The backer rod ensures that the …

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Paver Weight Calculator & Chart for 11 Paver Materials

Brick-colored concrete pavers being installed as ballast on an EPDM roof.

How Much Do Different Types of Pavers Weigh? The weight of a paver depends on the dimensions of the paver, the type of material used to make it, and the manufacturer’s formulation of that material. Stone pavers made from the same type of stone can also vary in weight somewhat depending on which quarry the …

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Hip and Valley Factor Calculator, Table, and Guide

A hip on an asphalt shingle roof.

I participate in the Amazon affiliate program and may earn commissions from purchases made through links on this page. Introduction In this article, I’m going to explain what a hip and valley factor is, show you the math, and give you a pretty comprehensive table where you can look up the hip and valley factors …

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2×6 Lumber Weight Chart & Calculator | Wood Type & Length

A stack of spruce 2x6 lumber. The weight of these boards is about 1.6 pounds per foot.

Introduction Knowing material weights is extremely important when you’re planning on putting things on top of a roof. You have to avoid structural loads that exceed the design strength of the roof and the roof’s supporting structure. I thought it would be helpful to have an easy way to look up the weight of 2×6 …

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PVC Membrane Roofing Cost Guide (2025 Update)

A roofer using a "robot" to heat-weld the seam that joins two sheets of PVC roof membrane.

Introduction In this article, I’m going to explain the things that you have to account for when you come up with a PVC membrane roofing cost estimate. I’ll also give you the typical costs for various types of PVC membrane roofs in 2025. PVC roofing is generally considered to be a type of commercial roofing, …

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Roof Drainage Systems • How Roof Drainage Works

Here you can see a few different roof drainage components, including roof leaders (downspouts), conductor heads, primary thru-wall scuppers, and overflow scuppers.

I participate in the Amazon affiliate program and may earn commissions from purchases made through links on this page. What is Roof Drainage? “Roof drainage” refers to the system of components and design elements that are used to remove water from a roof and convey it away from a building to an appropriate discharge location. …

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Relative Construction Costs by U.S State (2025 Update)

An outline of the United States with different-sized dollar signs all over the place.

Introduction This list of construction cost multipliers for U.S. states is intended to give you a very rough idea of how construction costs can vary according to location. These are broad guidelines and I make no claim or assertion as to the accuracy or applicability of these numbers. As a commercial roof consultant, I’ve had …

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