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Cants vs Dimensional Lumber
They both start as the same log. The difference is how far down the line we cut it. Here is how to know which one fits your job.
Cants: squared, not sized
A cant is a log squared on four sides. It is solid and square-edged, but it is not cut to a standard finished dimension. Think of it as timber in an intermediate state: ready to be remanufactured, or used as heavy timber where a rustic, full-bodied piece is wanted.
Dimensional lumber: cut to a standard size
Dimensional lumber is sawn to standard finished sizes for framing and construction. If you are building to a plan that calls out specific board dimensions, this is usually what you need.
Which one should you buy?
- Choose cants for heavy timber, remanufacturing, or projects where a solid squared piece is the point.
- Choose dimensional lumber for standard framing and anything built to spec.
- Not sure? Tell us the job. We will point you to the right product rather than sell you the wrong one.
When you are ready, our how to buy guide covers pickup, delivery, and minimums.
Common questions
Good to know.
Is one cheaper than the other?
It depends on size and order. Cants involve less processing, but pricing comes down to what you need and how much. Ask us for a quote on both.
Can you mill cants down to dimensional sizes?
Most of our cants are remanufactured into finished lumber by our Langley partner. For local orders, tell us what you need and we will sort out the best route.
What lengths can I get?
Cants run 8 to 20 feet across seven cross-sections. See the cant size table for the full list.
Keep exploring
Related pages.
Still deciding?
Tell us about your project and we will recommend cants or dimensional lumber, no pressure.