For complete details the grading rule book can be purchased from the national hardwood lumber association.
What is the best available grade of hardwood lumber.
Explore the use of the common grades to achieve the most value considering lumber cost and yield.
An overview of lumber grades and wood quality.
The grades are based on the two faces alone.
Hardwood lumber domestic hardwood.
Determine the surface measurement.
Lumber thickness 4 4 6 4 etc is not considered when grading hardwood.
Most species are cut on the quarter inch increment beginning at 1 inch thickness.
Hardwood lumber is cut to maximize the yield of the log and with the result being a random width product.
Best selling lumber composites.
Most species are cut rough thickness 1 thru 2 in several grades.
Fas first and second grade.
A very simplified condensed overview of the steps for grading a piece of hardwood lumber is as follows.
Softwood lumber is categorized into framing dimensional lumber or appearance boards.
Grading designation depends on the number of defects in a board.
Highest grade of hardwood lumber.
The basic concept of grading is that the grade of all lumber is determined from the poorest face or side of the lumber with a few cases considering the better face as well.
These depend on various factors like the type of wood used and the number and types of defects if any.
An excellent selection of some of the most beautiful woods in the world.
Never buy a higher grade lumber than is recommended as it will affect the overall cost of your project.
Lumber is graded based on the quality and appearance of the wood.
A brief description of the basic grades are.
When you shop for lumber you may notice two sizes listed.
Other grades exist for utility and industrial applications such as mining that are not applicable to contractors and consumers broken into common yard lumber and select yard lumber the most common grades from highest to lowest for retail applications are c select d select 1 common 2.
6 x 8 in 83 defect free on best side.
Some species must be processed according to special rules.
The common grades are likely to be most suitable for the cabinet industry most furniture parts and flooring.
Top choice 2 in x 4 in x 8 ft.
Some species are also available in thickness 2 1 2 thru 4 inch.
The simplified process of determining hardwood lumber grades.
There s a good reason for this watch our video for more info.
Lumber is available in a variety of sizes and products.
The hardwood grading rules are quite complex and require study.
Before we get into the different grades of lumber let s take a look at the various defects you may find in a piece of lumber.