How are boards graded?

Lumber is graded according to its quality, strength, and appearance, with trained inspectors using standardized criteria such as knots, grain patterns, and defects to assign a grade. This classification ensures that lumber meets industry standards and facilitates its appropriate use in construction and manufacturing.

What is better #1 or #2 grade 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 are board grades?

Board grade - A grade given to corrugated board based on the weight and type of outer liner, flute type, and weight and type of inner liner. Carton Board - Board with a medium to high compression and moisture resistance. Unlike cardboard, it is solid, and not fluted.

What is #1 common lumber grade?

#1 Common: This grade of hardwood lumber has more knots, mineral streaks, and color variations than Select lumber, but is still suitable for furniture, cabinets, and other high-quality projects. #1 Common lumber has a minimum size of 3 inches wide and 4 feet long.

What is the difference between D grade and C grade lumber?

Softwood grades typically fall into two categories: dimensional lumber (based on the wood's strength) and appearance boards (most commonly used for woodwork). C Select has little to no defects and is used for cabinets and trim. D Select has a few more defects than C select. It's great for projects that will be painted.

Lumber Grading and Defects

What is the lowest lumber grade?

Utility grade lumber is the lowest grade of lumber. It is used only for light framing projects. There are few restrictions on defects, when compared to the other grades.

What is the best grade of lumber that you can buy?

Select Structural Lumber

This is the highest grade of lumber, used for its strength and durability. You'll find the least number of defects in this grade of lumber. Knots are permitted in certain sizes, as long as they are sound, firm, tight, and well spaced.

What is the best grade lumber?

The most expensive and highest quality lumber, FAS is characterized as boards wider than 6″ and longer than 8′. To qualify as FAS grade lumber, boards must yield 83-⅓ percent clear face cuttings on both sides of the board.

What is the highest grade of wood?

Grades are based on the amount of usable clear material in a board. The highest grade boards are FAS and Select, followed by #1 Common and #2 Common. What grade you choose depends on your project. Some projects, such as tabletops and high quality furniture, may dictate the highest grade available.

Who determines lumber grades?

Hardwood lumber grading is a complex process using rules maintained by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA: www.natlhardwood.org). The NHLA rules were designed to provide the furniture industry a mathematically measurable method to grade lumber for its amount of clear, defect free wood.

What grade of lumber is free of knots and blemishes?

Grade A select lumber is almost completely blemish free, making it the most sought after type of lumber, while Grade B will only have a few blemishes.

What is thick cardboard called?

Thick cardboard is called solid cardboard, which has no voids. It is a flat packaging material. It can be used for boxes or padded envelopes, workpiece carriers or as a protective intermediate layer. With “custom-made” we mean the same as “according to the customer's wishes”.

What does #2 mean in lumber?

#2 Grade Lumber:

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). Boards contain splits no larger than 1.5 times width of board. Knots may not be larger than 3 1/2" One hole is permitted every 2 feet.

What grade is premium wood?

For Select lumber, there are a few grades to choose from. Each grade specifies how many knots, holes, and irregularities can be allowed per length of board. Grade A allows very few knots and holes, or even none at all. This grade of lumber is often considered premium grade.

What is the best grade of pine boards?

Appearance grades may also be called “Select,” “Clear” or “Prime,” depending on the species. With Eastern White Pine, C Select is the top grade and D Select is just below it. These boards are commonly grouped and sold into the category of D & Better Select.

What is the best wood for framing?

The ideal types of wood for timber framing include bald cypress, Port Orford cedar, western red cedar, and eastern white pine. Bald cypress is a popular choice for wetter climates due to its moderate resistance to decay.

Are two 2x4 stronger than one 4x4?

Yeah. 2 2x4s glued together should be stronger than 1 4x4 because of the glue, but not necessarily stronger in the case of the OP's planks screwed together.

What is a waste piece of lumber called?

#10 Offcut. The waste piece after milling lumber is called an offcut. You've got the part you want to keep and then the rest is the offcut.

Can I grade my own lumber?

Anyone can grade and stamp softwood lumber, but you must stand behind and be liable for your lumber if it does not meet the guidelines that building codes set forth for that grade. If you make up your own stamp (don't forge someone else's), you are responsible for the quality of grading, nothing more.

What does TP mean on lumber?

Timber Products Inspection, Inc. (TP) and its laboratories are accredited by the International Accreditation Service (IAS) and American Lumber Standard Committee (ALSC). TP's accreditations include inspection services for both preservative treated and fire retardant treated products.

What do the letters on lumber mean?

The species of lumber is stamped, and is also abbreviated. Some common examples include: "S-P-F" represents spruce-pine-fir, a common grouping for some of the Eastern softwoods. "DF-L" refers to Douglas fir and Western larch. "Hem-fir" stands for Western hemlock and true firs.

What are four factors to consider when selecting lumber?

What does S4S mean in lumber?

S4S is an abbreviation for “Surfaced on Four Sides”. It indicates a finish which renders both faces and both edges of a board planer-finished.

How do you pick lumber that won't warp?

How do you pick lumber that won't warp? Look at the end grain at both ends of the board. If the grain patterns are similar, then the grain runs pretty much straight down the length of the board and there won't be too many internal stresses to warp it.