What Is a Lumber Sawmill?

What Is a Lumber Sawmill?

A sawmill is a facility where logs are processed into lumber. There are two main types:

Hardwood Sawmills – Focus on species like oak, maple, walnut, cherry (used for furniture, flooring, cabinetry).

Softwood Sawmills – Process pine, spruce, fir (used for framing, construction lumber).

How a Hardwood Sawmill Works

Log Sorting – Logs are sorted by species, size, and grade.

Debarking – The bark is removed.

Primary Breakdown – A large headrig saw cuts the log into cants (squared logs) or slabs.

Resawing – Further cutting into boards of specific dimensions.

Edging & Trimming – Removes irregular edges and trims boards to length.

Grading – Lumber is visually graded (by rules like NHLA standards).

Drying – Boards are either air-dried or kiln-dried to reduce moisture.

Planing – Optional step to smooth and size boards for sale.

Storage or Shipment – Final lumber is stacked and stored for distribution or sale.

Common Hardwood Lumber Cuts

Rough Cut – Not planed; cheaper and preferred by woodworkers.

S2S/S4S – Surfaced on 2 or 4 sides.

Live Edge Slabs – Sawn with the natural edge of the tree intact (popular in custom furniture).

Equipment in a Sawmill

Headrig (band saw or circular saw)

Resaws and edgers

Kilns for drying

Conveyors and debarkers

Planers and molders (optional)

Would you like info on:

Buying lumber from sawmills?

Setting up a small sawmill operation?

Hardwood lumber pricing?

Specific wood species?

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