Definition of "Green lumber"

Chris Hill  real estate agent

Written by

Chris Hill elite badge icon

Century 21 New Millennium

Green lumber is not necessarily a lumber that’s green; though it might, sometimes, be a little greenish. And it’s also not a definition of an environmentally conscious type of wood.

Ok, what’s the best green lumber definition, then?

Let’s say that green lumber is wood that had not had the adequate time to dry and be seasoned. That kind of wood is not good for Real Estate, so you might hear a contractor say “That’s green lumber; we can’t use it”. And the reason why it’s no good is because green lumber can warp with time – not to mention that is much more difficult to work with. Cutting and nailing a green lumber is basically a waste of time and energy.

Some people call it wet lumber, but the term is not 100% correct because a wet/moist lumber is not necessarily a green lumber and it can be used in construction.

However, because the environment changes materials, green lumber is sometimes used in arid regions of the United States like Arizona and California. The thinking behind it is that (i) green lumber is cheaper and (ii) because the lumber dries and comes of age faster over there, once they get transported they will quickly reach a fine point for construction.

Because of floods, wood can revert to flood, so home inspectors and flood insurance companies typically look for green lumber on houses to assess risks.

Real Estate Tips:

Don’t get a “green real estate agent”; search through our Real Estate Agent Directory and find an experienced one that won’t warp or break!

image of a real estate dictionary page

Have a question or comment?

We're here to help.

*** Your email address will remain confidential.
 

 

Popular Real Estate Terms

The real estate arbitration definition is an alternative way to settle disputes when the parties involved want to avoid a trial. There are some significant differences between an ...

Expenditures incurred building a structure, including material and labor. ...

Housing where affirmative action is proactively pursued protecting the housing rights of people of all races, nationalities, and religions. ...

Expected period that property will provide benefits. It is typically less than physical life of the property because the property continues to have physical life regardless of inefficiency ...

Literature, samples, equipment, tools, and other useful information that real estate brokers or agents can use for demonstration purposes to prospective buyers. ...

As one of the principles of contract, the lawful object meaning can be defined as an object or action which is authorized, approved, and not prohibited by law. A contract to be legal ...

Having a traditional salt box architecture with clapboard siding, the New England Colonial was enlarged for additional family members by adding extensions, often at the rear of the home. ...

Window having both screens and storm windows that can be easily interchanged according to seasonal needs. ...

Amount subject to depreciation, which equals the initial cost less the estimated salvage value. ...

Popular Real Estate Questions