what are the grades of wood

Standard Grades of Hardwood Lumber

Grade	Trade Name	Min. Board Length	Min. Board Width	Min. Cutting Size
First & Seconds	FAS	8'	6"	4"x5' - 3"x7'
FAS 1-Face	F1F	8'	6"	4"x5' - 3"x7'
Select	SEL	6'	4"	4"x5' - 3"x7'
No. 1 Common	1C	4'	3"	4"x2' - 3"x3'

Sep 1 2022

Full Answer

What are hardwood grades?

There are eight hardwood lumber grades in widespread use today. FAS is the highest and No. 3B Common is the lowest. In short, the higher grades of lumber have more large clear area than the lower grades. 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 ...

What is Grade 1 lumber?

When referring to fence boards, this grade is often called Appearance Grade. #1 Grade: When appearance becomes more of a factor, #1 Grade will contain smaller, fewer, sound, tight knots and have less wane than found in #2 Grade.

What is cabinet grade wood?

Here’s what you need to know:

• Most cabinet plywood will have grades between B5 and A1. You can find out the specific grading from the stamp on the wood.
• B5 to B3 means that the plywood will hold up well, but that it is only good for painting. ...
• Only A1 and A2 is good enough for a full varnish. ...

What are the different grades of lumber?

Softwood Lumber Grades

• Nonstress Lumber Grades. Contains moderate number of tight knots. ...
• Appearance Lumber Grades. With appearance lumber, there is additional emphasis on the physical look of the lumber given that it may be exposed once installed, e.g. ...
• Stress-Graded Lumber Grades. ...

What is the best grade of lumber?

Hardwood grades are: FAS (First and Second) is the highest grade of hardwood lumber. It's usually 6-inches x 8-inches and is 83 percent defect-free on its best side. Select is 4-inches x 6-inches and 83 percent defect free on its best side.

What does D grade wood mean?

D Grade: When appearance is more of a factor, D Grade will contain smaller, fewer, tight, sound knots and is virtually wane-free. It is most commonly used in applications requiring a fine finish such as flooring and wall paneling.

Which is better #1 or #2 lumber?

Typically wood that is two or more inches thick is graded only for strength, denoted by #1, #2 and so on. And because stronger lumber has fewer and smaller knots, it's typically more attractive. So the general rule of thumb for lumber grades is this: the lower the number, the more strength and better appearance.

What is the best grade of hardwood lumber?

FAS: (first and second grade) This stands for the highest grade of lumber. FAS grade includes some defects but is considered the premier lumber for furniture and cabinet making. #1 & #2 common: These two grades will have a fair amount of allowable defects and color variations.

What is Grade C wood?

C Grade is made up of reclaimed waste wood from discarded furniture and other wooden fixtures and fittings. It can include MDF and chipboard material as well as wood. This material is often contaminated with varnishes, glues and other coatings.

What is C grade lumber?

Grade C is the highest grade of pine lumber and is commonly used for fine woodworking and interior trim. Select D grade pine lumber is not as fine in appearance as grade C but maintains a similar level of structural quality.

What is the cheapest wood?

Woodworking on a Budget: What is the Least Expensive Hardwood?Hardwood TypeTypical CostMaple(Soft)$3 – $7 /Board-footPoplar$2 – $5 /Board-footAlder$6 – $8 / Board-footWhite Oak$6 – $8 / Board-foot5 more rows•Jun 13, 2022

What is the hardest wood in the United States?

What is the hardest wood in North America? Of locally available woods, Black Ironwood is typically the strongest type of wood you can find in America. It's found in Florida and has a 3,660 lbf (16,280 N) Janka rating.

What is the strongest type of wood?

Generally acknowledged as the hardest wood, lignum vitae (Guaiacum sanctum and Guaiacum officinale) measures in at 4,500 pounds-force (lbf) on the Janka scale.

What is the highest structural lumber grade?

Hardwood Lumber Classification and GradingFAS (First and Second). This is the highest quality grade. An FAS board must be at least 6 inches wide, 8 to 16 feet long, and is 83.3% clear on its poorest looking side.Select — No. 1 Common. ... Select — No. 2 Common. ... Select — No. 3 Common.

What are the four grades of lumber?

Table 2: Lumber Grades for Common (nonstress-graded) LumberGradeDesignationTypical UsesNo. 1ConstructionSiding, shelving, panelingNo. 2StandardSimilar uses to No. 1No. 3UtilitySheathing, subflooring, crate constructionNo. 4EconomySheathing, subflooring, creation of forms for concrete work1 more row

What is 1st quality hardwood?

First-quality hardwood floors are chosen for their lack of imperfections, impeccable milling, and overall uniformity of design. Cabin grade flooring is considered the lowest of all the hardwood flooring grades and includes the pieces that did not make the cut to be a higher grade.

What are the four grades of lumber?

Table 2: Lumber Grades for Common (nonstress-graded) LumberGradeDesignationTypical UsesNo. 1ConstructionSiding, shelving, panelingNo. 2StandardSimilar uses to No. 1No. 3UtilitySheathing, subflooring, crate constructionNo. 4EconomySheathing, subflooring, creation of forms for concrete work1 more row

What are the 3 levels of wood flooring?

Especially pertaining to Oak hardwood flooring, the 3 most commonly used grades are: Select, #1 Common, and #2 Common, which is also known as “Rustic” grade, or “Builder's” grade.

What are the 3 grades of softwood lumber?

Construction grades can be divided into three categories: Appearance. Nonstress-graded. Stress-graded.

What are the different grades of treated lumber?

Pressure-treated lumber comes in 5 different grades: Premium, Select, and Number 1, 2, and 3. The higher the grade, the fewer the knots, splits, and general defects. For constructing a backyard deck, Number 2 or higher grade boards are required by code and are preferred by experienced carpenters.

Grades of Wood for Flooring

The grade is a way to classify wood planks according to knots, color variation, surface holes, and other character and milling marks. Grading refers only to the visual aspect of wood and is not a measure of quality. Generally speaking, Cochran’s Lumber offers three main grades of flooring.

Live Sawn Light Grade

Cochran’s Live Sawn Light Grade also allows for the character of the wood to show through, although not as prevalent as our Character Grade. With smaller, less frequent knots as our Character Grade flooring, Light Grade wood planks still give our clients a pronounced and nuanced color variation.

Select Grade

Wood flooring with the most uniform color variation is found in our Select Grade. With minimal knots and surface holes for distraction, our Select Grade features both heartwood and sapwood planks that produce a distinct color variation.

What is the highest grade of appearance lumber?

With appearance lumber, there is additional emphasis on the physical look of the lumber given that it may be exposed once installed, e.g. used to make softwood furniture. The highest grade of appearance lumber is designated as finish, followed by selects and common. There is some variation in these terms and grades depending on the agency responsible.

What is stress graded lumber?

Softwoods that are stress-graded are used as beams, posts, studs, rafters, and joists, for example, where the material is functioning in a load-bearing capacity and working stresses will be applied. The stress gradings may be determined either by visual means or through mechanical testing according to ASTM standards and procedures, establishing standard working values for mechanical properties such as the modulus of elasticity and the bending moment. These pieces are referred to as structural lumber.

What is softwood lumber used for?

The majority use case for softwood lumber is for what is characterized as construction lumber, which may be further subdivided into stress-graded, nonstress-graded, and appearance lumber. Appearance lumber is judged mainly by the overall visual quality, whereas stress-graded or nonstress-graded lumber is more concerned with the structural integrity of the wood. Retail lumberyards typically sell nonstress-graded and appearance lumber, which is collectively referred to as “yard lumber”. Grading is done after the drying and surfacing operations are completed and is accomplished based on both the size and number of defects appearing on the better side of the piece.

Which is lighter, hardwood or softwood?

These trees are ones which usually have needles and cones as opposed to leaves. Softwood lumber tends to be lighter and has a lower density than hardwood, owing from the fact that these trees that exhibit a higher rate of growth than hardwood trees.

What is the best wood for framing?

Some of the most commonly used softwoods that are created into lumber include: Cedar – both red and yellow most commonly. Fir – often called Douglas Fir. Pine.

What is lumber made of?

Lumber is a wood product, sawn and shaped from timbers of harvested trees. By its nature, wood is not of uniform consistency and therefore will contain defects that impact the appearance of the lumber that is created from the wood material, and which may impact the structural characteristics as well.

What is yard lumber?

Retail lumberyards typically sell nonstress-graded and appearance lumber, which is collectively referred to as “yard lumber”. Grading is done after the drying and surfacing operations are completed and is accomplished based on both the size and number of defects appearing on the better side of the piece.

How is lumber graded?

Lumber is graded based on the quality and appearance of the wood. These depend on various factors like the type of wood used and the number and types of defects, if any. 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.

What is standard grade lumber?

Standard grade lumber is used for light framing projects. Knots in this grade of wood are not restricted regarding quality.

How are the grades of lumber determined?

As stated above, the various grades of lumber are determined by the appearance of the wood and the number of defects. These grades are determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the American Lumber Standards Committee. With that in mind, here is your guide to the various grades of lumber, listed from the highest grade to the lowest.

What is a knot in wood?

Knot: A knot is a naturally-occurring defect in a piece of wood. Knots are circular imperfections caused by a broken-off tree branch. Tight knots are nothing to worry about, but dead or loose knots may fall out or leave a hole. Shake: A shake is when the grain between the wood’s growth rings separates.

What are the defects in lumber?

Common Lumber Defects. Lumber defects can give a unique character to a piece of wood, but for structural integrity, the defects should be kept to a minimum. Most of the following are caused by problems with cutting, stacking, or drying the wood—with the exception of naturally-occurring knots. Bow: A bow is a curve on the face ...

What is construction grade lumber?

Construction grade lumber is used for light framing. Knots must be sound, firm, encased, and tight. There are limits on most of the defects, with the exception of some occurring only on the surface.

What is a shake in wood?

Shake: A shake is when the grain between the wood’s growth rings separates. Shakes can occur on the face of a board or below the surface.

What is grading lumber?

Worldwide, hardwood lumber producers “grade” their lumber, assuring downstream consumers of the lumber of the lumber’s quality for the intended use . Put simply, lumber grading serves quality assurance needs.

How to grade hardwood?

A very simplified, condensed overview of the steps for grading a piece of hardwood lumber is as follows: Determine the species. Some species must be processed according to special rules. Determine the surface measurement (SM).

What is the lowest grade of lumber?

Several assessments lead inspectors to grade lumber according to certain categories. There are eight hardwood lumber grades in widespread use at this time. FAS is the highest and No 3B Common is the lowest grade.

What is the difference between 1 face and 1 select grade lumber?

Often, Select grade lumber is used in the Northern U.S., while 1-Face is used in the South. No. 1 Common is the standard furniture grade lumber and provides a good selection of long, medium and short cuttings at a reasonable price.

What is 3B graded on?

No. 3B Common is graded on the basis of sound cuttings rather than clear cuttings. It is widely used for pallets and crates.

How to determine cutting yield?

Determine the cutting yield required by multiplying the surface measurement (SM) by the grade values respectively. The required yield is expressed in cutting units. A cutting unit is 1 inch wide by 1 foot long.

Is sawn wood a natural material?

“Wood is a natural material and by its very nature may contain different characteristics and defects that need to be understood and allowed for in any given application. The grading of sawn wood into categories as it is processed helps to determine to a large extent the value and potential use possible for each board of sawn lumber.”

What is standard grade lumber?

Standard grade lumber is used for light framing projects. Knots in this grade of wood are not restricted regarding quality.

How are the grades of lumber determined?

The various grades of lumber are determined by the strength of the wood, appearance of the wood and the number of defects. These grades are determined by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the American Lumber Standards Committee.

What is the most common grade of lumber for framing?

No. 2 lumber is the most common grade for framing. Lumber of this grade contains few defects, but knots are allowed of any quality as long as they are well spaced and do not exceed the size regulations.

What is construction grade lumber?

Construction grade lumber is used for light framing. Knots must be sound, firm, encased, and tight. There are limits on most of the defects, with the exception of some occurring only on the surface.

Is lumber a stud?

Lumber of this grade has strength and stiffness values that make it suitable for use as a vertical member of a wall. In other words, a stud. There are varying levels of quality within this grade regarding appearance.

What Is Lumber Grading?

Lumber grades are a standardized way to judge the quality of a wood or piece of lumber. Both softwood and hardwood have separate grading scales. Softwood specifically has a larger variety of grading options depending on the intended application for the lumber.

What is softwood grade?

Softwood lumber grades are divided into categories based on the lumber’s use. Since softwood is so versatile, it can be used for almost everything from supporting and framing a house to paneling it. Having different categories of softwood lumber grades helps make it easier to pick the correct grade for your application, ensuring the proper strength and quality of your build.

What is appearance lumber?

Appearance lumber is any softwood lumber that’s used in applications where it will be seen, such as furniture building. As such, the appearance of the wood is important. It is divided into two categories: Select and Common, each of which can be broken down into their own specific grades.

What is non stressed lumber?

This first category of softwood lumber is primarily considered in building, for applications that don’t require a great deal of structural support, but that also aren’t highly visible.

Why is hardwood more durable than softwood?

Since hardwood forms more slowly than soft wood, it has a higher density, making hardwood lumber stronger and more durable. For this reason, hardwood is most commonly used in construction applications where longevity and appearance are both major factors, like flooring, cabinetry, furniture making, and more.

What is stress graded lumber?

Stress-graded softwood lumber is any lumber that has been graded to support weight. Stress-graded lumber is assessed by its load-bearing capacity and is primarily used for building applications that are non-visible and structurally vital, like beams, posts, studs, rafters, and joists.

Why is it important to grade wood?

Lumber grades are important because they tell you what you can expect from the quality of the wood, and how you can use each piece of wood for safe, secure construction.

What is the grade of fence board?

When referring to fence boards, this grade is often called Appearance Grade. #1 Grade: When appearance becomes more of a factor, #1 Grade will contain smaller, fewer, sound, tight knots and have less wane than found in #2 Grade.

What is C grade flooring?

It is most commonly used in applications requiring a fine finish such as flooring and wall paneling. C Grade: When appearance is of paramount concern, this grade, as the name implies, is virtually knot-free and contains no wane. It is also most commonly used in applications requiring a fine finish.

What is premium decking?

Premium: When appearance becomes more of a factor, this decking grade will contain far fewer and much smaller knots than Standard and is also virtually wane-free.

What is wane in lumber?

It has a warm, rich, distinctive wood grain and is denser in nature. Wane: The presence of bark or the lack of wood fiber along the edge of a piece of lumber. The amount of wane varies according to lumber grade as described in the Southern Pine Inspection Bureaus grading rules.

Is Clear decking knot free?

Clear: When appearance is of paramount concern, this decking grade, as the name implies, is virtually knot-free and contains no wane.

Does CLEAR GRADE have wane?

While it can have wane similar to that found in #1 Grade, it has tighter growth rings and contains smaller and fewer knots. CLEAR Grade: When appearance is of paramount concern, this grade, as the name implies, is virtually knot-free and contains no wane.

What Different Types of Lumber Grades Mean

Softwood Versus Hardwood

Softwood Lumber Grades

Hardwood Lumber Grades

Useful Nomenclature

• There are specific terms and definitions that are used in the grading of lumber, a few of which are summarized here for convenience: Board foot– defined as the product of the width of the board by the thickness (both in inches) multiplied by the length of the board in feet. Surface measure– defined as a measure of the surface area of the board. Sur...

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