What is the difference between #1 and #2 wood?
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 #2 and Better lumber?
When you order specific lumber grades, such as Doug Fir #2, you'll get #2 &btr (and better). This means all the lumber bearing this grade stamp should be a minimum of #2 quality. Most users assume that the lumber that looks “bright and clean” must be better and stronger.
Is #1 or #2 treated lumber better?
Pressure treated wood is sold with the lumber grades Premium, Select, Number 1, Number 2, and Number 3. The higher the grade, the fewer the defects—that is splits or knots. In general, you will want to choose Number 2 grade boards, or higher, for decks.
What is #3 grade lumber?
#3 Grade – This wood grade is considered a utility/economy grade. It may contain splits, knotholes, and a considerable amount of wane. #3 wood can be used for sheathing, subflooring, concrete forms, among other utility-type applications.
What is the best lumber grade?
Lumber GradesFAS (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.No. 1 Common is 3-inches x 4-inches and 66 perfect defect free on its best side.No.
What is the strongest framing lumber?
To Choose the Best Lumber for Framing, Consider Treated or Manufactured Wood. Redwood or cedar hold up to the elements, but a less expensive option might be to go with pressure-treated wood that is resistant to water, insects, and rot.
What grade of lumber is used for framing?
Appearance framing lumber is used in paneling and siding. There are two primary grades of appearance framing: Finish and Select. Finish grade is higher quality than Select.
What grade of lumber is used for decks?
A lumber-grade stamp will indicate the quality of the stock and note its moisture content. For framing, air-dried lumber is adequate. Use S-dry or MC-15 lumber for decking and rails.
How long does pressure treated wood last?
40 yearsHow Long Does Pressure-Treated Wood Last? It depends on the climate, the type of wood, its uses, and how well it's maintained. While pressure treated poles can stay up to 40 years without any signs of rot or decay, decks and flooring might only last around 10 years.
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's the strongest 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 strongest wood in America?
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. Other strong North American woods include species of hickory, maples, oaks, walnuts, and beeches.
What are the 4 types of lumber?
The hardwood, softwood, plywood or MDF are the four main varieties of wood that you may use for any type of woodworking project and the following points give you the confidence to select the right type of wood for your project.
What is standard and better lumber?
Standard and Better (Std&Btr) - Lumber containing a mixture of grades, the lowest of which is the Standard grade of light framing; the "and better" signifies that a portion of the lumber is of higher grade or grades.
What are the lumber grades?
The standard grades of hardwood lumber are:GradeTrade NameMin. Area of clear cuttings requiredFirsts and SecondsFAS83-1/3%FAS One FaceF1F83-1/3%SelectSEL83-1/3%No. 1 Common1C66-2/3%3 more rows
Is #2 prime wood pressure treated?
This lumber is pressure-treated with micronized copper azole in order to protect it from termites, fungal decay and rot. Ideal for a variety of applications, including decks, play sets, landscaping, stair support, walkways and other outdoor projects where lumber is exposed to the elements.
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.
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 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 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.
How thick is 2 by 3 lumber?
Standard dimension lumber, as well as pressure-treated stock, is sold in a wide array of two-inch pieces (the dimensions refer to sizes before planing, so nominal two-by stock is actually one and a half inches thick). Two-by-threes, fours, sixes, eights, tens, and 12s are standard (actual widths: three and a half, five and a half, seven and a quarter, nine and a quarter, and eleven and a quarter inches). Common lengths are eight, ten, 12, 14, 16, 20, and 24 feet. Four-inch thicknesses are also sold in some widths.
What is grade A plywood?
In brief, Grade A means the surface is blemish- free; Grade B may have plugged knotholes; Grade C may have small knotholes and splits (checks). Relatively larger knotholes are permitted in Grade D. Plywood is sold in a variety of thicknesses, commonly from a quarter to three-quarters of an inch.
What is the difference between plywood and sheathing?
Many varieties of plywood are sold. Finish plywood has at least one quality surface, while sheathing plywood, intended for use beneath siding, has rougher surfaces.
How many levels of lumber are there in white pine?
Lumber grading is tricky and often counterintuitive. The grading system for white pine alone consists of about ten levels. If you are going to work with wood professionally, I’d suggest you consult a basic reference work on wood and master some of the subtleties. But most of us need to know only a couple of basic facts.
What is pressure treated lumber?
This is regular lumber that has been injected or soaked in chemicals to prevent decay and rot.
How wide is a board?
Four- inch, six-inch, eight-inch, and ten-inch-wide boards are generally available (actual widths: three and a half, five and a half, seven and a quarter, and nine and a quarter inches). Lengths vary, but eight- and sixteen-foot stock is usual.
Is fir lumber stronger than spruce?
You’ll also find when you move into larger stock that fir, for example, is much stronger (and more expensive) than spruce or pine, but better suited to wider spans for floor joists or longer rafters. When building outdoor or damp-area structures, pressure-treated lumber is another choice.
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.
Which grade of lumber has the most defects?
Also considered an “economy” grade of lumber, No. 5 softwood has the most waste areas and defects. It’s used in similar applications to No. 4 where it won’t be seen, but can make forms, molds or models.
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.
Which grade of lumber has the same structural properties as #1?
Prime grade lumber provides the same structural properties as #1 grade lumber, but has fewer knots and better appearance
What is the minimum grain slope?
Grain slope must meet a minimum 1/8-grain slope (the less deviation from straight grain parallel to the edge, the stronger the piece of lumber).
Is treated wood wet?
Treated wood is typically still wet when it’s delivered to the lumberyard or job site. As it dries, you should expect slight changes in width and length.
Can you order non-stocked lumber?
Most lumber and building materials dealers stock only a few grades of lumber but usually allow customers to special-order non-stocked grades of lumber.
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What is machine rated lumber?
Well-manufactured material evaluated by calibrated mechanical grading equipment which measures certain properties and sorts the lumber into various strength classifications. Machine Evaluated Lumber is also required to meet certain visual requirements. The grade mark can include "1W" or "2W" if visually graded to the wane requirements for No.1 or No.2 dimension lumber, respectively.
What is the width of utility lumber?
Used for such purposes as studding, blocking, plates, bracing and rafters. Design values only apply to utility lumber that is 4” wide.
What is MSR lumber?
Machine Stress Rated (MSR) lumber is evaluated by mechanical stress rating equipment. MSR lumber is distinguished from visually stress graded lumber in that each piece is non-destructively tested. MSR lumber is also required to meet certain visual grading requirements. The grade mark can include "1W" or "2W" if visually graded to the wane requirements for No.1 or No.2 dimension lumber, respectively.
How thick is MSR deck plank?
MSR Scaffold Plank is available 2"-thick only.
What is superior decking grade?
A superior decking grade, suitable for plank floor where face serves as finish floor. Has a better appearance than No.1 Dense Dimension Lumber because of additional restrictions on firm red heart, pith, knots and wane.
What is a usable length?
Usable lengths suitable for bracing, blocking, bulkheading and other general utility purposes where strength and appearance are not a consideration.
Do all longitudinal faces have to be free of pith?
All four longitudinal faces must be free of pith and/or heartwood. Application of the product requires pressure treatment by an approved treating process and preservative for marine usage.
What Different Types of Lumber Grades Mean
- Lumberis 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. In the U.S., lumber is assigned a grade which est...
Softwood Versus Hardwood
- Woods may be classified as being either softwood or hardwood. However, those terms are not a strict indicator of the relative hardness of the wood itself. Softwoods are those which are derived from the harvesting of coniferous trees (gymnosperms), which are more often known as evergreen trees. These trees are ones which usually have needles and cones as opposed to leav…
Softwood Lumber Grades
- The American Lumber Standard Committee (http://www.alsc.org) serves as the body that developed and maintains the American Softwood Lumber Standard PS 20 under auspices of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The majority use case for softwood lumber is for what is characterized as construction lumber, which may be further subdivided into stress-graded, nons…
Hardwood Lumber Grades
- Grading of hardwoods is significantly less complicated than that of softwoods. The American Hardwood Export Council (https://www.ahec.org/) has developed The Illustrated Guide to American Hardwood Lumber Grades which provides the basis for the grading system, measurement standards, and descriptions of the characteristics and defects associated with th…
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. Surface measure is calculated by taking t…
Summary
- This article presented a summary of the different grading systems for softwoods and hardwoods. To learn more about the suppliers of lumber, see our guide to lumber suppliers in the U.S. To explore other topics, consult our additional guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platformto locate potential sources of supply or view details on specific products.