Soft wood lumber comes from evergreen trees. Soft wood is the main type of lumber used in homes, decks, and fences. The most common types are S.P.F., which is a spruce, pine, and fir mixture, and S.Y.P., southern yellow pine. If lumber will be exposed to moisture, you should use pressure treated lumber which is treated with a salt solution. Mahogany and cherry are the most common types of hard wood.
Hard wood is used for furniture, floors, and paneling.
A lumber dealer can help you find the right lumber for your job. Lumber comes in standard sizes. For example 2 x 4's are most common. The size measures the dimensions in inches of cut lumber. To make lumber strong, it is dried in a kiln before it can be sold.