There are a couple of ways to buy really cheap wood.1. Buy less expensive types of wood at a traditional home improvement or lumber store.2. Get wood from non-traditional sources for cheap or even free.I’m going to talk about both ways and my favorite tricks for both.
FURRING STRIPSFurring strips are very inexpensive pine planks. You can almost always find them in 1″x2″, 1″x4″, and 2″x2″ sizes. And at only a couple of dollars for 8′ boards, they are a steal.
One of the easiest projects to make using furring strips is a DIY planter. I've also used them to frame a large chalkboard and to make a nativity. You can see all of these on the blog.
Framing lumber is another type of lumber that is super cheap. It is meant to be used for framing walls.You can find 2″x3″ and 2″x4″ framing studs at any home improvement store for just a few dollars per 8′ board.
One of my favorite DIY's made with framing lumber is a gorgeous daybed that is a comfy addition to my enclosed porch. I've also made a cool X-leg wood bench.
Common board usually come in 1″ thick boards in a variety of widths. While it is a bit more expensive than furring strips, it is also a big step up as far as quality. They are still less expensive than select pine boards or hardwood boards.
Plywood probably doesn’t bring to mind beautiful, high-quality wood. But plywood can work really well for all kinds of DIY projects. You can find a huge range of both quality and price in the plywood aisle. Also 1/4″ thick, lower quality plywood sheets that are extremely cheap.
MDF
MDF isn’t technically wood; it’s Medium Density Fiberboard. It’s basically sawdust, resin, and wax formed into smooth panels similar to plywood. MDF is great for a lot of DIY projects. You can buy a 4’x8′ sheet of MDF and cut it to the size you need.
CULL LUMBER
Most home improvement stores have a bin or shelf of cull lumber somewhere near the back of the store. Cull lumber is lumber that is too warped, split, or otherwise damaged to sell at full price, so it is usually very cheap.
NONTRADITIONAL SOURCES OF CHEAP WOOD
Most of the wood for my DIY is secondhand or even completely free!
Here are a few favorite places to check:
-FB Marketplace
-Craigslist
-Friends and family
-Side of the road
-Habitat for Humanity
-Your own scrap wood pile