Lumber measurement

How is sawn timber measured?

The measurement of sawn timber is an important process in wood processing to determine the dimensions for sale and further processing. There are different methods depending on whether the timber is unedged, partially edged, or fully edged. Each of these categories has specific rules for measuring width, handling wane (bark edges), and accounting for splits.

One of the traditional foundations often applied in Germany for the measurement of sawn timber is the Tegernsee Customs. These historical regulations contain standardized procedures for the evaluation and measurement of round and sawn timber and are still used in parts of the wood industry today.

Measurement of sawn timber | Photo © by Hugo Kämpf

Measurement of Unedged and Partially Edged Timber

Unedged and partially edged timber is characterized by the presence of one or both bark edges of the wood. For this type of sawn timber, starting from a thickness of 40 mm, the so-called 'compared measurement' is used. This involves measuring the narrowest and the widest side of the wood piece, adding both values, and dividing by two. The result is then rounded up to the nearest full centimeter. This method ensures a fair evaluation of the wood, especially if it is irregular due to its natural shape.

The Tegernsee Customs also specify how bark edges should be considered in the measurement. For partially edged timber, where only one bark edge has been removed, only the remaining half bark edge is used for measurement. In the case of unedged wood with bark edges on both sides, a full bark edge is included in the measurement. This ensures a balanced calculation between the two sides of the wood.

Measurement of Parallel Edged Timber

Parallel edged sawn timber (square edged) has smooth, straight edges. The width is measured from one edge to the other, including healthy sapwood (the outer area of the log) in the width measurement. The width measurement is rounded up to the nearest full centimeter to ensure accurate and consistent billing. Splits that occur during the drying process or processing are accounted for in the length measurement, rounded up to the nearest 10 cm.

The Tegernsee Customs also confirm this procedure, as they aim to ensure consistency and accuracy in wood measurement.

Measurement of Hardwood Sawn Timber According to Tegernsee Customs

Excerpts from the document:

2.2.3 Measurement

• a) Edged hardwood timber is measured piece by piece, unless otherwise agreed.
• b) Unedged hardwood timber is measured piece by piece in the middle: — compared on the narrow and wide side, — narrow side with a bark edge or — block lying.
• c) Side timber with different thicknesses than the main product up to and including 33 mm, as well as upper and lower side boards up to and including 33 mm with the same thickness as the main product, and single boards up to 33 mm, are measured on the narrow side.
• d) For length measurement, the measurement is rounded down to the nearest 10 cm.
• e) For oak timber, healthy, firm sapwood is included in the measurement. Damaged, loose sapwood (e.g., with rot or insect damage) is not included (compensated).

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Tegernseer Gebräuche 2023