There are a few things you should always check when looking through a lumber pile at a hardware store or lumber yard. Are you getting a straight board? Is it free of major knots or defects? Is it the right size and grade for your project?

But what about the paint color at the end of the wood?

Anyone who has spent time sorting through 2x4s has probably noticed that some pieces have paint on the ends of them. But why?

The confusing part is that there isn’t one meaning that applies to every painted board. Learn why lumber ends may be painted, what the colors can identify, and what shoppers should check before relying on the paint alone.

On This Page

Why Lumber Mills Paint the Ends of Boards During Drying

What Different Paint Colors on the Ends of Lumber Actually Mean

Sources

Why Lumber Mills Paint the Ends of Boards During Drying

Paint or another coating on freshly cut lumber can help slow moisture loss through the ends of the wood.…