One of my favorite parts anymore with any trip to Lowes is the Cull lumber section. I can't tell you how much cash I've saved buying this "low grade" lumber for projects around the house. The other day though I was thinking about the term though....Does ANYBODY know just what "cull" stands for...or is this just the word for the lumber that doesn't meet the lumberyard "standards"???? Just kinda was wondering and the net never did give me an answer yet. :D

This trip neted me three "cull wood" purchases.

1st......8 2x8x12's and 6 2x8x16's for $60
2nd..... 16 2x6x12 for $49
3rd..... various lengths of particle board for .50 cents a piece.

The first is going to be used to build a frame for a shed I'm going to put up to store the lawnmower....the third is going to turn into some shelves for the basement...and I have NO idea just what the second is going to be used for....but I'm sure for $50 a need will come up.

Anybody else ever visit this section of the store?

Never heard of it, but it sure could have saved me some money when I built my deck. I got 2x6's for the decking from 84 lumber. Every one of the boards had only one good side, if that. I'm planning on adding on to the deck later. I'll have to look into this cull wood when I get ready to do it.

...:bounce:...I do, I do...

Cull – To remove poor and defective logs or lumber from a pile. These logs were called “cull logs” and the lumber “cull lumber”.

....Today in lumber yards, it more represents wood that may have a lot of wains(sp) , = knocked off edges...It can also include knots, a grain that isn't consistently straight, or even be run off ends that are to short for the dimension it is described as...;)

The word is used for more than just lumber, you can cull a herd of cattle or cull a patch of giant pumpkins. That leaves the feed and nutrition for the best to get bigger.

Basically it's picking the best and throwing out the rest. The throw outs have been culled.:cool:

Well I guess you learn something new everyday. Thank you two....gold star for you both.

I can't tell you the last time I did a project without buying over half of the wood from this section. It may take a few trips to the store, and some planning, however in the end it saves you a TON of cash. Do plan on buying a few extra pieces however as there is always at least one that you can't use for much of anything......but sadly enough that holds true even with lumber that you pay full price for.

My dad picked up some Wood-Lam beams a couple years back... IIRC, they're roughly 6 x 16 x 10' long. He got 9 of them for $10. I plan to use them as a bar countertop (eventually).

-Joe