How to Buy Wood for Projects: A Beginner’s Guide
Buying lumber for DIY projects can be intimidating for beginners, given the different types of wood and sizes available. Here is a full guide on how to buy lumber so you can confidently walk in and get what you need.
The lumber aisle can be intimidating.
I still remember when I had just decided to start making woodworking projects. I am a completely self-taught DIYer and woodworker. I had no idea what aisle to go to, which board to pick, or what was the difference between all those boards… I just picked what I thought best… and I wasn’t always right.
Buying lumber is different from buying most things. You can’t just grab the first board on the shelf and hope it works.
But the good news is that once you understand the layout and know what to look for, it gets so much easier. Let me walk you through how to navigate your local home improvement store to shop for wood with confidence.
Table of Contents
Also, these three other detailed guides will help you learn more without overwhelming you:
- Types of Wood and Their Uses
- How to Pick the Right Board (Avoiding Warps and Defects)
- Understanding Wood Sizing (Nominal vs Actual)
Why It’s Important to Pick the Right Board
Choosing the right board isn’t just about how it looks on the shelf. It directly affects how your project turns out. The right wood will:
- Make your build easier (straight boards = square and solid builds)
- Makes sure your project has strength and durability
- Improve how your project looks when finished (different woods absorb paint and stain differently)
We’ll get into how to evaluate boards later, but for now, let’s start with where you’re buying your wood from, because that makes a difference too.
Where to Buy Lumber
There are two choices for buying wood for your next DIY or woodworking project –
- A big box home improvement store like Home Depot or Lowe’s
- A local lumber yard
There are a few main differences between a lumber yard and a big box store :
| Home Improvement Store | Lumber Yard | |
|---|---|---|
| Selection | Limited selection. Most common sizes and wood types are available. Consistent day to day | Wider variety of sizes and types of wood. Also, exotic wood species are available. |
| Quality | A mix. May need to spend time looking for a good board. | Higher quality – goes through more rigorous checks. |
| Cost | Reasonable | Higher due to higher quality of material |
| Convenience | Multiple locations and extended hours | Limited hours and not easily accessible |
Tip: If you’re part of any local woodworking Facebook groups, check there too! People often sell or trade wood, and you might even find reclaimed lumber or free pallets.
If you are just getting started, I highly recommend getting your boards from a home improvement store as opposed to a lumber yard because it is a lot less intimidating.
Personal Note: I build 95% of my projects using boards from Home Depot. It’s affordable, accessible, and perfect for most builds. I’ve only gone to a lumberyard twice in seven years—when I needed large quantities of special hardwood for a custom cabinet and a record player console.
Understanding How Lumber Is Sold
Before we jump into navigating the store, let’s quickly talk pricing and labeling.
At most home improvement stores:
- Softwood boards (like pine or fir) are sold by the piece. The price you see is the price for the entire board.
- Hardwoods (like oak or maple) and moldings/trim pieces are sold by the linear foot. So, if the price tag says $4.25/lf and the board is 8 feet long, it will cost $ 4.25 x 8 = $34.
You’ll also see labels with both nominal size (like 2×4) and actual size (like 1½” x 3½”). This can be super confusing at first.
To make sense of it, check out this guide: Understanding Wood Sizing: Nominal vs. Actual
How to Navigate the Lumber Aisle
When you enter the store, look for signs pointing to the lumber or building materials section. Most stores organize wood by:
- Softwoods (for framing, furniture, and general DIY projects)
- Pressure-treated lumber (for outdoor use)
- Hardwoods (usually in a smaller section)
- Plywood and sheet goods
- Moldings and trim boards
Read all about the types of wood and how to pick the right one for your project.
Boards are stacked either horizontally or vertically by size and length. Be prepared to move a few boards to find the best one!
Grab a lumber cart near the entrance of the aisle. These are designed for long boards and plywood. Please avoid using a regular shopping cart. It is unstable and dangerous when carrying large boards.
How to Choose the Right Board
Once you know the type and size you need, it’s time to inspect each board for quality. Don’t just grab the one on top!
Look for:
- Warping: Hold the board at eye level and look down its length like you’re sighting an arrow. Watch out for:
- Bowing: Curves side to side
- Cupping: Edges higher than the middle
- Twisting: Spirals along the length
- Knots: Some are okay, but avoid loose or large dead knots that may fall out
- Cracks and Splits: Especially at the ends—small ones may be cut off, but deep cracks can weaken the board
- Dents, bark, or discoloration: These might not affect strength, but they can impact appearance or cause problems during finishing
👀 Learn how to spot common wood defects and how to choose the best board in this detailed guide: How to pick the right wood board
How to Get Lumber Home?
Once you have picked the boards you need for your project and checked them out, it is time to bring them home. But what if you don’t own a large SUV or truck that can fit the boards?
Option 1: Get the boards cut down in-store
Most home improvement stores and lumberyards will cut your boards so they fit in your car.
- Note: These are rough cuts and are not precise plus they have very rough saw blades that leave the edges splintered.
- I always pre-calculate the cuts I want them to make, leaving a little extra buffer so I can trim to the exact size at home.
Option 2: Rent a truck
If your boards or plywood sheets still don’t fit, most stores offer hourly truck rentals (around $19/hour as of this writing).
I’ve done this a couple of times. It’s quick and easy. And is definitely cheaper than adding a car payment for a bigger truck.
Once you get lumber home, you need to store it properly to ensure that it doesn’t get damaged or warped over time. Read more about how to store lumber here.
You are now ready to confidently walk into any store and pick the perfect board you need for your project. You got this!
Don’t forget to download the printable wood shopping guide below.
Further Reading
Anika's goal is to inspire and empower beginners with woodworking, DIY, home improvement, and home decor ideas.
She wants everyone to unlock their creative potential and experience the feeling that comes with making something. Nothing feels better better than seeing something and saying "I can make that!"
