The thing with building materials is that most builders indeed talk in imperial most of the time.
When asked what sized sheet of plasterboard I need, I'd probably just say an eight by four (feet), but the actual size of a full plasteroard is 2.4mx1.2m...
There are also various thinknesses of plasterboard too, the most common are 9mm,12.5mm and 15mm... So if I need 9mm and 15mm, I'd state that in metric, but for 12.5mm which is the most used board, you'd probably hear me say 'half inch' out of habit.
The 2x4 topic is about right (above) when you buy it from builders merchants, sawn timer for fences etc etc is indeed a true size, though dressed stuff can knock off a fair few mm's.
But you can actually buy true 2x4 dressed, but its a little more expensive due to the added thickness of the sawn timber before its planed.
In all fairness though, 1 1/2x3 1/2 is good enough for jobs that require '4x2'!!! :)
Dabz
EDIT:
Why are "2-by-4" wood studs really 1.5 by 3.5 inches?
Surely that should be 'Why are "2-by-4" wood studs really 1 4/8's by 3 4/8's inches'
When asked what sized sheet of plasterboard I need, I'd probably just say an eight by four (feet), but the actual size of a full plasteroard is 2.4mx1.2m...
There are also various thinknesses of plasterboard too, the most common are 9mm,12.5mm and 15mm... So if I need 9mm and 15mm, I'd state that in metric, but for 12.5mm which is the most used board, you'd probably hear me say 'half inch' out of habit.
The 2x4 topic is about right (above) when you buy it from builders merchants, sawn timer for fences etc etc is indeed a true size, though dressed stuff can knock off a fair few mm's.
But you can actually buy true 2x4 dressed, but its a little more expensive due to the added thickness of the sawn timber before its planed.
In all fairness though, 1 1/2x3 1/2 is good enough for jobs that require '4x2'!!! :)
Dabz
EDIT:
Why are "2-by-4" wood studs really 1.5 by 3.5 inches?
Surely that should be 'Why are "2-by-4" wood studs really 1 4/8's by 3 4/8's inches'