What is the nominal size of a wood column?

The nominal size of a wood column is typically referred to by its dimension before milling, which is often larger than the actual size after drying and planing. The choice of 4x4 accurately reflects a common nominal size for wood columns, especially in residential construction.

In standard construction practices, while the nominal dimension indicates a specific thickness and width, the actual size is usually smaller due to the changes that occur when wood is processed. For a 4x4 column, the actual dimension is roughly 3.5 inches by 3.5 inches. This size is frequently used for various structural applications, including posts and columns.

Other options like 6x6 or 8x8 represent larger nominal dimensions often used in heavier structural applications, while a 2x6 is usually inappropriate for columns due to insufficient strength. Therefore, the selection of 4x4 aligns with common industry standards for wood columns in typical construction scenarios.