Our grading is a transparent quality standard - applicable to products where indicated.

Timber Lot Grades

Class A & B Mix / FAS Grade: Recommended

Equivalent to FAS grade. The best value option for PRIME & COMMON, cabinetry quality timber. Mostly no knots, with some knots spaced no less than 1m apart.

SHOP

Class A / PRIME: Cabinetry Quality

PRIME grade equivalent. Our highest grade of timber. No significant knots. Ideal for the finest joinery and cabinetry.

Class B / COMMON: Cabinetry Quality

Equivalent to COMMON. High-quality with minimal knots spaced at least 1m apart. Ideal for furniture, joinery, and cabinetry, similar to “prime-grade” as per NHLA grading. 

Class C / RUSTIC: Rustic Characterful Appearance

RUSTIC Grade. Contains more knots and imperfections, with the classic rustic appearance. Aesthetically desirable for many projects.

Class A

  • Highest quality grade
  • Devoid of any significant knots within the Clear Wood Cutting area
  • Unparalleled for the finest woodworking projects
  • Equivalent to PRIME or SUPER PRIME Grade
  • >155mm x >2000mm clear wood (free of knots) within each board
  • Select either Waney Edge (also known as Live Edge) or Square Edge
  • Planed All Round available on request.

Class B

  • High quality timber with some character
  • Equivalent to Common Grade
  • Some knots expected
  • Splits outside of clear wood area possible
  • >155mm x >1000mm clear wood (free of knots) within each board
  • Select either Waney Edge (also known as Live Edge) or Square Edge
  • Planed All Round available on request.

Class C

  • Class C is an aesthetic choice enriched with knots and a natural feel
  • Ideal for projects that desire a natural or rustic appearance, consistent with the No. 2 Common grade
  • Select either Waney Edge (also known as Live Edge) or Square Edge
  • Planed All Round available on request.
International grading system applicable to some of our products where indicated.

National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA)

First and Seconds (FAS)

Description: This is the highest grade of hardwood lumber.

SHOP
  • Characteristics:
    • At least 83.3% (or 10/12ths) clear cuttings.
    • Minimum size of clear cuttings: 76 mm x 2134 mm (4″ x 5′ or 3″ x 7′).
    • Minor defects are allowed but should be small and few.
    • Best appearance and consistency in colour.

Select No. 1 or Prime

Description: Slightly below FAS but still of high quality.

  • Characteristics:
    • Minimum size board: 102 mm x 1829 mm (4″ x 6′).
    • Provides a long clear cutting on one edge and a minimum of 76mm (3″) on the other.
    • At least 83.3% clear cuttings on the poorer face.
    • Often used when FAS grade is not necessary or for mouldings, joinery, etc.

No. 1 Common

Description: Known as “Cabinet Grade”. Good quality but with more defects than FAS or Select.

  • Characteristics:
    • Allows for some knots and imperfections.
    • Minimum size board: 76 mm x 1219 mm (3″ x 4′).
    • At least 66.6% (or 8/12ths) clear cuttings.
    • Clear cutting sizes: 76 mm x 914 mm or 102 mm x 610 mm (3″ x 3′ or 4″ x 2′).
    • Popular for furniture making due to its more rustic appearance and cost-effectiveness.

No. 2 Common

Description: Often referred to as “Rustic Grade”. Contains more defects than higher grades.

  • Characteristics:
    • Minimum board size: 76 mm x 102 mm (3″ x 4′).
    • At least 50% clear cuttings.
    • Clear cutting sizes: 76 mm x 610 mm or 102 mm x 305 mm (3″ x 2′ or 4″ x 1′).
    • Allows for larger knots and other imperfections.
    • Often used for rustic-style furniture, paneling, and some flooring applications.
Timber industry aesthetic grading for hardwoods and softwoods.

Overview of Industry Timer Grading Agencies

British Standards Institute’s (BSI) & European Standards References for Timber Grading and Quality

BS 1186-3: Timber for and workmanship in joinery – Part 3: Recommendations for the specification of solid timber.

BS 5756: Specification for visual strength grading of hardwood.

BS 4978: Visual strength grading of softwood.

BS 5268 (Multiple parts): Structural use of timber.

BS 8605 (Multiple parts): External timber cladding.

BS 1088: Marine plywood.

BS 1297: Specification for preservative-treated timber.

BS 5440: Structural grading of timber.

BS 8001: Circular economy. Guidance for organizations.

BS EN 13183 (Multiple parts): Moisture content of a piece of sawn timber.

BS EN 14081 (Multiple parts): Strength-graded structural timber with rectangular cross-sections.

BS EN 13556: Round and sawn timber – Nomenclature of timbers used in Europe.

BS EN 350: Durability of wood and wood-based products.

BS EN 384: Structural timber – Determination of characteristic values of mechanical properties and density.

BS EN 408: Timber structures – Structural timber and glued laminated timber – Determination of some physical and mechanical properties.

BS EN 975-1: Quality classes of oak and beech sawn timber.

BS EN 1912: Structural timber – Strength classes – Assignment of visual grades and species.

BS EN 14080: Timber structures – Glued laminated timber – Requirements.

BS EN 16737: Structural timber – Visual strength grading – Sawn spruce timber from Scandinavia, Central Europe and North America.

 

National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA)

Grading Agencies:

SPIB Grading Rules for Southern Pine Lumber: Covers the classification of Southern Pine lumber.

WWPA Rules for Western Lumber: Provides grading standards for softwoods from the Western states, including species like Douglas Fir, Hem-Fir, and Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF).

WCLIB Standard Grading Rules for West Coast Lumber: Similar to the WWPA, but may cover additional or slightly different species or regional varieties.

Redwood Inspection Service (RIS) Grading Rules: For California Redwood.

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NeLMA): Produces standards for Eastern White Pine and other northeastern softwoods.

Northern Hardwoods and Pine Manufacturers Association (NHPMA): Governs some softwood species, especially pine varieties, in the northern regions.

Other Standards:

American Wood Protection Association (AWPA) Standards: While not strictly about grading, the AWPA produces standards on wood preservation, which impacts the quality and end-use of lumber.

ASTM D245 – Standard Practice for Establishing Structural Grades and Related Allowable Properties for Visually Graded Lumber: Provides a method to establish structural grades for lumber.