Learn about hardwood lumber grades!

Sawn hardwood timber has been added to the lumber platform! Now, customers can choose from a wider selection of lumber beyond softwood. To make your hardwood lumber purchase easier, here are some North American hardwood lumber grades.

In North America, hardwood lumber grading is a complex process, traditionally governed by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). The NHLA grading rules provide a common language for buyers and sellers in the professional hardwood lumber trade. While specifically tailored to the US market, global buyers still need to understand them to achieve the desired quality grade. The grade of lumber purchased by a manufacturer determines production costs and material utilization. Because the grade is based on the percentage of free-defect lumber within the lumber, many of the beautiful natural characteristics of hardwood are not considered when calculating the free-defect percentage.

Hardwood is usually graded as follows:

FAS

The original meaning of the FAS grade evolved from the original "First and Second" grades and refers to wood that can provide longer clear cuttings.

This grade is best suited for high-end furniture, interior joinery, and solid wood moldings. The minimum board size is 6 inches wide or longer and 8 feet long or longer. FAS grades include a range of lumber with clear cuttings (of the total exterior surface area) ranging from 83-1/3% (10/12ths) to 100%. The minimum clear cutting size is 3 inches wide by 7 feet long or 4 inches wide by 5 feet long. The number of clear cuttings in a lumber board varies with the board size. Most boards allow for one or two pieces. The minimum width and length standards vary depending on the wood species and whether the lumber has been kiln-dried. Both surfaces of the lumber must meet the minimum FAS grade requirements.

FAS single-sided (F1F)

This grade is typically mixed with FAS. The superior side of the lumber must meet all FAS grade requirements, while the inferior side must meet all Common Grade 1 requirements. This ensures that buyers receive at least one FAS-grade lumber side. Exports typically use an 80:20 mix, meaning 80% FAS-grade lumber and 20% FAS single-sided lumber. This ratio is strictly determined by the specific agreement between the buyer and seller.

Selects

This grade is essentially the same as the FAS single-faced grade, except for the minimum required dimensions. Select grades are available in widths of 4 inches or greater and lengths of 6 feet or greater, and are typically produced in the northern United States and mixed with FAS grades.

High-grade export lumber typically refers to FAS grades. It's common practice in the US hardwood industry to ship these high-grade lumber in mixed shipments. Buyers can ensure they receive the expected quality through close collaboration with suppliers. Regardless of whether FAS grades are mixed with FAS single-face (single-face or better) or Select grades (Select or better), all lumber must have at least one FAS grade on one side.

General Level 1 (NO.1C)

No. 1 Common is suitable for producing standard-sized door panels for American cabinets, and is therefore often referred to as cabinet grade in the United States. For this reason, No. 1 Common lumber is widely used in furniture component production. The minimum No. 1 Common board size is 3 inches wide by 4 feet long, with a clear face ratio of 66-2/3% (8/12ths) to the minimum of 83-1/3% for FAS grade (which falls short of FAS grade). The minimum clear face dimensions are 3 inches wide by 3 feet and 4 inches wide by 2 feet. The number of clear facets depends on the board size. Both sides of the board must meet the minimum requirements for No. 1 Common.

Further breaking down hardwood grades into Common 2A and Common 2B, and Common 3A and 3B, are distinguished by defect area. However, in practice, some of these grades are rarely used in the commercial trade. Some grades end up being mixed together.

Hopefully the above grade knowledge will be helpful for your wood purchasing needs.