Waste Factor and Cut Lists
After determining the exact footage necessary for your project it is necessary to calculate a waste factor (additional to the exact footage needed). This extra footage will cover fall off that comes with most projects. Your waste factor will depend on a number of variables including: wood species, project cut lists, wood available and color and grain matching. Our lumber is sold in the rough so boards will not be the exact sizes listed on cut lists. Most projects will require a 30% waste factor but some exotic woods can have waste factors of a 100% - this will vary depending on the above variables. For typical waste factors, per species, please refer to the guide below. More information about each species can be found in our wood encyclopedia.
Mahogany, Sapele, Spanish Cedar and most African & South American Woods and Clear grades: Add 20% to your exact footage.
Red Oak, White Oak, Poplar, Ash, Birch, Pine, Sassafras, and Maple: Add 25% to your exact footage.
Cherry: Add 35%-75% to your exact footage, depending on project needs and ability to use sapwood.
Walnut and Butternut: Add 50% to your exact footage.
European Hardwoods and Flitch material: Add at least 50% and sometimes up to a 100%.
Figured Lumbers: Waste factors vary according to how exact you need to match figure patterns.
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