Learn about the grades of hardwood lumber!

Hardwood lumber has been added to our lumber platform! Now, customers using the platform have a wider selection of timber in addition to softwood. To make hardwood lumber procurement easier, we introduce the various grades of North American hardwood lumber below.

In North America, hardwood grading is a complex process, consistently using rules established by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). The NHLA grading system provides a common language for buyers and sellers in professional hardwood lumber transactions. Although the NHLA grading system is geared towards the US market, global buyers still need to understand it to obtain their desired quality grade. The grade of the lumber purchased by a manufacturer determines production costs and material utilization. Because grading is based on the percentage of defect-free material in the lumber, many of the beautiful natural features of hardwoods are not considered when calculating the percentage of defect-free lumber.

Hardwoods are typically classified into the following grades:

FAS

The FAS grade originally evolved from the original "first and second grade" grades, referring to timber that can provide a longer clear surface.

This grade of timber is best suited for high-end furniture, interior joinery, and solid wood moldings. The minimum dimensions for the board are a width of 6 inches or more and a length of 8 feet or more. The FAS grade includes a range of boards with a clear face yield (as a percentage of the total outer surface area) from 83-1/3% (10/12ths) to 100%. The minimum clear face size should be 3 inches wide and 7 feet long or 4 inches wide and 5 feet long. The number of clear faces in a board varies depending on the board size. Most boards are allowed 1 to 2 pieces. Minimum length and width standards may vary depending on the species and whether it has undergone kiln drying. Both surfaces of the board must meet the minimum requirements for the FAS grade.

FAS single-sided (F1F)

This grade of timber is typically shipped in mix with FAS (Flat Steel Assurance). The better side of the lumber must meet all requirements of FAS grade, while the worse side must meet all requirements of Grade 1 (Flat Steel Assurance), ensuring the buyer receives lumber with at least one FAS grade side. Exports are usually shipped in an 80:20 ratio, i.e., 80% FAS grade lumber and 20% FAS single-sided grade. This ratio is strictly adhered to in the specific agreement between the buyer and seller.

Selects

Aside from the different minimum dimensions for the board surface, this grade of board is essentially the same as the FAS single-sided grade. The Select grade allows boards with a width of 4 inches or more and a length of 6 feet or more; these boards are generally produced in the northern United States and are often mixed with FAS grade boards.

High-grade export timber typically refers to FAS grade. The standard practice in the U.S. hardwood industry is to ship these high-grade boards in a mixed manner. Buyers, through close cooperation with suppliers, ensure they receive goods of the expected quality. However, regardless of whether FAS grade is mixed with FAS single-sided (single-sided or better) or with Select grade (Select grade or better), all boards must have at least one FAS grade on one side.

Level 1 (NO.1C)

Grade 1 is suitable for producing standard-sized cabinet doors in the United States, and is therefore often referred to as cabinet grade in the US. For this reason, Grade 1 lumber is widely used in the production of furniture components. The minimum board size for Grade 1 is 3 inches wide and 4 feet long, with a clear facet ratio ranging from 66-2/3% (8/12ths) to the minimum ratio of 83-1/3% for FAS grade (which does not meet FAS grade). The minimum clear facet dimensions are 3 inches wide and 3 feet long, and 4 inches wide and 2 feet long. The number of clear facets depends on the board size. Both sides of the board must meet the minimum requirements for Grade 1.

Further breaking down hardwood grades, there are also Grade 2A and Grade 2B, and Grade 3A and Grade 3B, distinguished by the area of ​​defects. However, in practice, some of these grades are rarely used in commercial trade. Some grades are eventually mixed together.

Hopefully, the above information on timber grading will be helpful in meeting your timber purchasing needs.