WesternSoftwood

Species &Grades

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dsWestern TimberlandsThe western United States is a vast wonderland of sweeping grasslands, craggy mountains,coastal temperate rainforests, inlandforests, high desert plateaus, ragingwhite waters, pristine lakes andenormous rivers.

It is also home to some of the most abundant and belovedpublic, private, industrial and non-industrial timberlands in theworld. Millions of acres are setaside in perpetuity, permanentlyprotected from commercial use.

On private and public landswhere timber production is amongthe shared values assigned to aforested area, harvesting is gov-erned by county, state and federal U.S. environmental and landmanagement laws. In addition, the timber basket states of Oregon,Washington, California and Idahoare governed by some of thetoughest State Forest Practices Acts and Best ManagementPractices (laws), with the highestcompliance levels, of any timbergrowing region on the planet.

These laws protect habitat for threatened and endangeredspecies, watersheds, soils, eco-system health and diversity, and require reforestation in site-specific species within specifiedperiods of time (within one year in Oregon and within three years in the other states).

More than 21 commerciallyimportant softwood species arenative to the West. Among others,these include: Douglas fir (OregonPine) and Western Larch, WesternHemlock which is often marketedalong with several of the true firs (Abies species) as Hem-Fir,Ponderosa and Lodgepole pines,Sugar pine, Idaho (or Western)White pine, four species of cedar(Incense, Western Red, PortOrford, and Alaskan Yellow),California redwood, andEngelmann and Sitka spruces.Only a few are shown in thisbrochure.

Timber GradesWestern species are manufacturedinto hundreds of timber productsmarketed according to specificallydefined timber grades. The rulesfor these grades have evolved overnearly a century for convenience in referencing specific products and to provide buyers, sellers, and specifiers with a dependablemeasure for determining timberquality. Species and grades may be grouped, according to intendedend uses, into several broad categories:■ Structural timber is graded for its load-bearing and load-carrying capacity in framing andconstruction applications. Speciesgroupings simplify design. Pleaserefer to page 6. ■ Appearance timber is graded for its visual characteristics, withthe highest grades reserved for timber that is virtually clear, free ofcharacteristics and defects. Speciesare often marketed individually orin specific combinations. Pleaserefer to page 14. ■ Factory and Shop timber is graded for its suitability to be re-cut and further manufacturedinto doors, windows, furniture andother products. Criteria for thesegrades are determined by the percentage of clear “cuttings”recoverable from the graded piece.Please refer to page 22.■ California redwood grades arespecific to the naturally durablespecies, Sequoia sempervirens,a commercially grown species of redwood native to northernCalifornia and southern Oregon.Redwood timber grades are basedon appearance and durability.Please refer to page 30. ■ Special Export grades are available. Many manufacturersprovide timber products in thegrades and sizes determined by the requirements of individualdestination countries. All of thegrades shown in this publicationare widely traded in the interna-tional marketplace. Other exportgrades are available through buyer-seller agreements.

In the early days of wood products, independent gradingagencies developed grades for the species in their regions. Asmodern construction practices and building codes began torequire greater standardization in all building materials, structuraltimber products were standardizedfor grade and size under theNational Grading Rule forDimension Lumber and groupedinto species combinations in the early 1970s. However, thenon-structural timber products inspecialty and appearance-gradeproducts remain characterized bya variety of regionally oriented,species-specific grades maintainedby accredited grading agencies.

Member Grading AgenciesThis publication offers a represen-tative sampling of western soft-wood grades provided by the member agencies of the SoftwoodExport Council (SEC): ■ Pacific Lumber Inspection

Bureau (PLIB), ■ Redwood Inspection Service

(RIS), a division of the California Redwood Association (CRA),

■ West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (WCLIB), and

■ Western Wood Products Association (WWPA). All of these agencies are

accredited by the AmericanLumber Standard Committee, Inc. (ALSC), under the U.S.Department of Commerce.

RIS, WCLIB and WWPA areaccredited rules-writing agenciesand represent three, of only six, agencies in the U.S. whose grading rules are certified as conforming to the AmericanSoftwood Lumber Standard PS-20.This U.S. product standard provides a mechanism for timberto be of the size, grade and designvalues indicated by its labelling.

All four agencies are certified to provide grading and inspectionservices for structural productsunder the National Grading Rulefor Dimension Lumber (NGR).PLIB, WCLIB and WWPA are also accredited by the CanadianLumber Standards AccreditationBoard to provide grading inspection services under theStandard Grading Rules forCanadian Lumber published by the National Lumber GradesAuthority (NLGA) of Canada.

The member companies of the SEC member grading agencies manufacture and ship approximately 85% of the totalsoftwood timber production from the western region.

Operating since 1903, the PacificLumber Inspection Bureau (PLIB), isa private, non-profit timber qualitycontrol inspection bureau. It isperhaps best known for its gradingrules, Export “R” List Grading andDressing Rules for West CoastSoftwood Lumber, one of the oldestand most widely used referencesin international softwood trading.

PLIB provides grading andinspection services in accordancewith contract specificationsbetween buyers and sellers to over40 softwood timber manufacturersand remanufacturers in westernOregon, Washington, and in thesouthern interior of BritishColumbia, Canada.

PLIB is approved by both theALSC and the Canadian LumberStandards Accreditation Board toprovide mill supervisory servicesunder the NGR, RIS, WCLIB,WWPA and NLGA rules as well as to supervise glued andmachine-graded timber.

supervision services, reinspectionand transient inspection services,grader training services, and general and technical product support services. WCLIB isapproved under ALSC and theCanadian Lumber StandardsAccreditation Board to providemill supervisory services under the NGR, its own, and RIS, NLGAand WWPA rules as well as tosupervise glued and machine- graded timber.

With one of its predecessor organizations dating back to 1906, Western Wood ProductsAssociation (WWPA) is amongthe oldest and largest private, non-profit timber trade associations inthe world, representing more than130 sawmills in the 12 contiguouswestern states and Alaska. In addition to its most importantfunction in quality control as acertified rules-writing, grading and inspection agency, WWPAprovides economic analysis, technical support to member manufacturers, product supportservices and information to engineers, architects and builders,and business information servicesfor the industry.

WWPA is approved under ALSC and the Canadian LumberStandards Accreditation Board toprovide mill supervisory servicesunder the NGR, its own, and RIS,NLGA and WCLIB rules as well asto supervise glued and machine-graded timber.

Contact InformationThe Softwood Export Council may be contacted at any time for information on its memberorganizations and/or the productsof their member companies. Please refer to the SEC website: http://www.softwood.org for details.

Note: Metric measures throughout this text aresoft conversions of actual U.S. sizes. Nominalsizes, such as 2x4, 2x8, etc. are used as names and have not been converted into metrics units.

© 1999, 2004 SEC

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Grading A

gencies

Redwood grading rules, theStandard Specifications for Gradesof California Redwood Lumber, aredeveloped and published by theRedwood Inspection Service (RIS).This inspection agency is ALSC-approved to provide mill super-visory services under the NGR, its own, and the WCLIB andWWPA grading rules and to supervise machine-graded timber.

RIS is the grading and inspec-tion services division of theCalifornia Redwood Association(CRA) which, at the age of 80, is one of the oldest, private non-profit trade associations in the forest products industry. CRA’s primary responsibility is to maintain the integrity and highquality of RIS redwood grades. In addition, CRA promotes the useof redwood timber products andprovides technical information and support services to redwoodmanufacturers, architectural specifiers and builders.

The birth of the West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau (WCLIB)can be traced to 1911 when fournorthwest associations joinedtogether to form the West CoastLumberman’s Association. Fortyyears later, the grading servicesdivision was established as anindependent subsidiary of theWCLA, and in 1968, the WestCoast Lumber Inspection Bureau was incorporated as anindependent organization. TheWCLIB currently provides servicesto more than 110 saw mills andremanufacturers located primarilythroughout the northwestern U.S. In addition to its primaryobjective to develop and maintainuniform timber grading standardsthrough publication of the StandardGrading Rules for West CoastLumber, WCLIB provides grading

CaliforniaRedwood Association

CaliforniaRedwood Association

Services for International CustomersSEC member grading agencies are industry leaders in providingspecial services for the internationalcustomers of its member companiesand their products.

These agencies are approved bythe U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA) Animal & Plant HealthInspection Service (APHIS) to issueHeat Treatment Certification Usinga Kiln Facility as well as Certificatesof Debarking and Grub HoleControl, as required by EU andother countries.

Upon request, they will provideInspection Certificates that attest to the accuracy of the grades andtallies shipped by their membercompanies. If any disagreementshould arise, all SEC member grading agencies are able to provideReinspection Services anywhere in the world to resolve disputes.

Certificates of Kiln Dryingcertifying a moisture content ofless than 20% are also available.

In addition, these agencies areapproved to prepare documentationfor individual companies in prepa-ration for acquisition of the USDAPhytosanitary Certificates that arerequired by specific destinationcountries.

All four agencies are accreditedby ALSC to supervise NGR-basedgrading and grade marking serviceson structural products for Japan.Under the Japanese Ministry ofConstruction, these SEC agenciesare approved to provide grade-stamping services for machinestress-rated timber as well as forvisually graded structural dimen-sion timber.

The Japanese government further allows WWPA to providegrading supervision services inthose WWPA-JAS mills certified touse the JAS grade mark on struc-tural products to be shippeddirectly to Japanese constructionsites.

Grade Stamps While appearance-grade productsare sometimes grade stamped onthe back or ends, grade marks forappearance products do not haveto be stamped directly onto thetimber. This avoids marring thebeauty of the wood. However, theinformation revealed by a gradestamp is still required for com-merce and, as such, is included in written documentation thataccompanies a shipment.

Grade-stamping requirementsfor structural timber are different.Structural grades have assigneddesign values for use in engineeringand construction. Design valuesare numerical indications ofstrength and performance properties, derived according torigorous testing protocols that testify to a grade’s appropriatenessfor particular applications. Thus,building codes and other regulatoryentities that oversee design andconstruction require structural timber products be clearly gradestamped with an approved registered mark.

Most grade stamps, except those for heavy members 127 mmx 127 mm and larger, contain the following five basic elements:

1. Certification MarkThe grading agency’s registered mark. Attests to quality control supervision.

2. Mill Identification Reveals the manufacturing mill’sidentity. It may be a name or assigned mill number. Grading agencies may be contacted to identify an individual mill whenever necessary.

3. Grade DesignationGrade name, number or abbreviation.

4. Species Identification Indicates species by individual species or species combination.

5. Moisture Content & How Seasoned Indicates the moisture content/condition of seasoning when timber was surfaced at the mill (KD indicates kiln dried):

MC15 or KD15 --- 15% maximum moisture content

S-DRY or KD --- 19% maximum moisture content

S-GRN --- over 19% moisture content (unseasoned)

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1. Agency Certification

Mark

2. Mill IdentificationName or Number

5. Moisture Content & How Seasoned

4. Species Identification

3. Grade Designation

and location of all characteristicsand imperfections within a piece.

Natural characteristics andimperfections are evaluated in several ways: ■ Timber graders visually judge thetotal effect of the various combina-tions of characteristics and imper-fections, relative to the limitationsset forth in the grading rules foreach grade and species, and assignappropriate grades accordingly.Most timber production is graded byvisual inspection.■ Sophisticated, state-of-the-artcomputerized grading equipmentdigitally scans the characteristics

and imperfections in a timber piece,then electronically calculates andassigns the grade based on criteriaset forth in the grading rules. ■ In the case of machine stress-rated (MSR) timber, each piece is non-destructively tested withstress-rating equipment to calculatethe combined effect of the charac-teristics and imperfections onstrength. MSR grades are providednumerically to facilitate engineering.

Some of the more common characteristics and manufacturingimperfections are shown below toemphasize appearance details.

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Natural Characteristics & ManufacturingImperfections Grades are determined by the natural characteristics of the log and any manufacturing imperfec-tions that may occur during timberprocessing. Log characteristics willappear in a given piece of timberand affect its strength, stiffness andappearance. Manufacturing imper-fections may also affect grade.

Grades are determined by complexsets of criteria that consider thetype, size, closeness, frequency

Checked Knot Tight Black Knot Intergrown Knot Not-firmly Fixed Knot

Spike Knot Sloughed Knot Unsound Knot Wane

Bark Pocket Pitch Streak Brown Stain Blue Stain

Machine Burn Machine Gouge Torn Grain (from Planer) Skips in Dressing

Characteristics

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rIntroductionStructural products are manufac-tured primarily from second andthird-growth timber. Pieces areevaluated either visually, mechani-cally or scanned digitally withgrades assigned primarily on thebasis each member’s strength, not its appearance. Grading ruleslimit natural characteristics andthe manufacturing imperfectionsthat affect strength and influencethe end uses appropriate to eachgrade, species and size. Eachspecies and grade has assigneddesign values.

Design values for structural timber are derived using AmericanSociety for Testing and Materialsstandards, or criteria deemedappropriate by the National Instituteof Standards and Technology, withthe advice and counsel of theUSDA Forest Products Laboratory.

Species CombinationsSome western species share performance properties. These are grouped together to simplifymarketing, design and engineeringand allow design values to bedeveloped and assigned perspecies combination rather thanindividually.

With grades and design valuesassigned per species combination,adjustment factors can be appliedto calculate the performance ofdifferent sized members in enduse. U.S. design values and adjust-ment factors for western speciesare provided in the RIS, WCLIBand WWPA grade rule books andare published by various govern-mental agencies in destinationcountries.

Structural timber products are generally bought, sold andspecified for end use according tothe species combinations shown in Table 1. Because of uniquedurability characteristics, Californiaredwood and the western cedarsare marketed as distinct species.

Structural GradesGeneral classifications for structuraltimber in western species areexplained below. Nominal sizesare used as “names.” Metric references throughout this text are based on a soft conversion of actual, surfaced sizes (with 1" equaling 25.4 mm).

Dimension Lumber grades,based on the National GradingRule, are divided into three categories for size and four forstrength.

Size: The first size categoryincludes products from 38 x 38mm through 89 x 89 mm. (In theU.S., these sizes are referred to as2x2 through 4x4, which reflect thenominal, unseasoned, and unsur-faced sizes of 2" x 2" and 4" x 4".)Sizes are available in StructuralLight Framing, Light Framing andStud strength categories.

Strength: Structural LightFraming (SLF) grades are intendedto fit engineering applicationswhere the highest design valuesare needed in light framing sizesfrom 38 to 89 mm thick x 38 to 89 mm wide.

SLF grades include: SELECT STRUCTURAL*No. 1*No. 2*No. 3

Strength: Light Framing (LF) gradesin these sizes (from 38 to 89 mmthick x from 38 to 89 mm wide)are intended for framing useswhere highest strength values arenot required such as for wall fram-ing, plates, sills, cripples, blockingetc.

LF grades include: CONSTRUCTION*STANDARD* UTILITY

Size: The second size categoryincludes products from 38 x 38mm through 89 x 337 mm (U.S.nominal sizes 2x2 through 4x14).Products in this size range may be graded as Stud grade.

Photo: Douglas fir, world renownedfor its combination of strength,dimensional stability and beauty, is the dominant species for single-family and multi-storey wood framing throughout the western U.S.

6* Grades marked with an * are shown in pho-tographs on the following pages.

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Strength: Stud grade is anoptional all-purpose grade (in sizes 38 to 89 mm thick x 38 to 337 mm wide) for vertical installations in load-bearing applications, such as for wall framing.

There is only one grade: STUD*

Size: The third size categoryincludes products from 38 x 114mm through 89 x 438 mm (nomi-nal 2x5 through 4x18). These sizesare categorized as Structural Joists& Planks.

Strength: Structural Joists &Planks (SJ&P) are intended to fitengineering applications for timber114 mm and wider, such as floorjoists, rafters, headers, small beams,trusses and general framing.

SJ&P grades include: SELECT STRUCTURAL*No. 1*No. 2*No. 3

Additional Special Dimensionstructural products includeStructural Glued and MachineStress-Rated (MSR) timber.

ALSC-certified grades for red-wood with assigned design valuesinclude DECK HEART and DECKCOMMON. These are classified asSpecial Purpose structural grades,specifically intended for residentialdeck construction and available in38 x 89 mm and 38 x 140 mmonly. RIS can provide redwoodproducts graded to NGR specifica-tions upon request. Redwoodstructural and appearance gradesare shown on pages 30 and 31.

Special Sizes & Grades for ExportSpecial structural grades and sizes,specific to the needs of destinationcountries, are manufactured andshipped by U.S. mills under thesupervision of RIS, PLIB, WCLIBand WWPA. Products may beshipped unseasoned or kiln dried.A variety of international productssuch as those commonly referredto as Baby Squares, J-Grade, andScantlings are available throughbuyer-seller agreements.

Western Species Combinations Table 1

Species Western Softwood Species Alternate CombinationsCombinations

Douglas Fir - Larch Douglas Fir – Pseudotsuga menziesiiWestern Larch – Larix occidentalis

Douglas Fir – South Douglas Fir-South - Pseudotsuga menziesii(grown in AZ, CO, NV, NM and UT)

Hem-Fir Western Hemlock – Tsuga heterophyllaNoble Fir – Abies proceraCalifornia Red Fir – Abies magnificaGrand Fir – Abies grandisPacific Silver Fir – Abies amabilisWhite Fir – Abies concolor

SPFS Spruce-Pine-Fir Sitka Spruce – Picea sitchensis Engelmann(South) Engelmann Spruce – Picea engelmannii Spruce/

Lodgepole Pine – Pinus contorta Lodgepole Pine

Western Woods Alpine Fir – Abies lasiocarpa Alpine Fir/ Engelmann(or Subalpine Fir) Hem-Fir Spruce/

Ponderosa Pine – Pinus ponderosa Lodgepole/Sugar Pine – Pinus lambertiana Alpine FirIdaho White Pine – Pinus monticola Ponderosa

(or Western White Pine) Pine/Sugar Ponderosa/Mountain Hemlock – Tsuga mertensiana Pine Lodgepole

Pines

California Redwood California Redwood – Sequoia sempervirens

Western Cedars Incense Cedar – Libocedrus decurrensWestern Red Cedar – Thuja plicataPort Orford Cedar – Chamaecyparis lawsonianaAlaskan Cedar – Chamaecyparis nootkatensis

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Select StructuralDouglas Fir

Select Structural is recommended for use in applications where bothhigh strength and stiffness values and good appearance are required.Sound, firm, encased and pith knotsare limited up to no larger than 22mm. They must be tight and wellspaced. Unsound or loose knots orholes are limited to no larger than 19 mm, with one per 1.2 metresallowed. Tight limitations are placedon characteristics affecting strength.Piece #5 shows allowable heart pith.

No. 1 Douglas Fir

Recommended for constructionwhere high strength and stiffnessvalues and good appearance aredesired. Knots must be of the sametype as in Select Structural grade,with size no greater than 38 mm.Unsound or loose knots or holes arelimited to no larger than 25 mm,with one allowed per 91 cm.Allowable wane, as in pieces #2and #3, is described for Hem-Firexample of No. 1 grade.

No. 2 Douglas Fir

Recommended for most generalconstruction uses. Well-spacedknots of any quality are allowable in sizes up to 51 mm, with one holeup to 32 mm in diameter allowableper 61 cm. Allowable wane, as inpiece #4, described for Hem-Firexample of No. 2 grade. Piece #1appears to be above grade, howevera full-length machine skip makes it a No. 2.

Select StructuralHem-Fir

Select Structural is recommended foruse in applications where both highstrength and stiffness values andgood appearance may be required.Sound, firm, encased and pith knotsare limited up to no larger than 22mm. They must be tight and wellspaced. Unsound or loose knots orholes are limited to no larger than19 mm, with one per 1.2 metresallowed. Piece #4 shows allowablecenterline knots up to 22 mm.

No. 1Hem-Fir

Knots must be of the same type as in Select Structural grade, with sizeno greater than 38 mm. Unsound orloose knots or holes are limited tono larger than 25 mm, with oneallowed per 91 cm. Wane is allow-able, as in piece #2, up to 1/4 thethickness and 1/4 the width fulllength, or equivalent on each face,provided that wane not exceed 1/2the thickness or 1/3 the width for up to 1/4 the length.

No. 2Hem-Fir

Recommended for most general con-struction uses. Well-spaced knots ofany quality are allowable in sizes upto 51 mm, with one hole up to 32mm in diameter allowable per 61cm. Wane is allowable, as in piece#1 and #5, up to 1/3 the thicknessand 1/3 the width full length, orequivalent on each face, providedthat wane not exceed 2/3 the thick-ness or 1/2 the width for up to 1/4the length.

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ConstructionDouglas Fir

In Construction grade pieces are ofgood appearance but graded primar-ily for strength and serviceability.Sound, firm, encased knots are tightand limited to no larger than 38 mm.Unsound or loose knots or holes arelimited up to 25 mm, one per 910mm. Maximum allowable wane up to 1/4 the thickness and 1/2 thewidth full length, or equivalent oneach face, provided that wane notexceed 1/2 the thickness or 1/3 thewidth for up to 1/4 the length.

StandardDouglas Fir

This grade is customarily used forthe same purposes or in conjunctionwith Construction grade. Characteris-tics are limited to provide goodstrength and excellent serviceability.Knots are not restricted as to qualityup to 51 mm anywhere in the wideface. Holes are limited up to 32 mm,one per 610 mm. Limitations onwane apply.

StudDouglas Fir

Intended for vertical installations in load-bearing applications. Knotsare not restricted as to quality butmust be well spaced and limited up to 38 mm, one per 310 mm.Limitations on crook, splits, shake,and edge knots. Wane, as in pieces#3 and #4, is allowed up to 1/3 thethickness and 1/2 the width fulllength, or equivalent on each face,provided that wane not exceed 1/2the thickness and 3/4 the width for up to 1/4 the length.

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ConstructionHem-Fir

Recommended and widely used for general construction purposes.Pieces are of good appearance butgraded primarily for strength and serviceability. Sound, firm, encasedknots are tight and limited to nolarger than 38 mm. Unsound orloose knots or holes are limited up to 25 mm, one per 910 mm.

StandardHem-Fir

This grade is customarily used forthe same purposes or in conjunctionwith Construction grade. Characteris-tics are limited to provide goodstrength and excellent serviceability.Knots are not restricted as to qualityup to 51 mm anywhere in the wideface. Holes are limited up to 32 mm,one per 610 mm. Piece #5 includeswhite speck.

StudHem-Fir

Used for vertical installations, suchas wall framing. May be manufac-tured to the full basic length anddouble-end trimmed or may be precision-end trimmed to exactlengths. Knots are not restricted as to quality but must be well spacedlimited up to 38 mm, one per 310 mm. Limitations on crook,splits, shake, and edge knots.Allowable wane shown in pieces #1 and #4.

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No. 1Douglas Fir

Centerline knots range from maximums of 48 mm on 114 mmwidths to 102 mm on 337 to 343mm widths. Edge knots range from maximums of 32 mm on 114 mm widths to 79 mm on widest widths. Unsound loose knotsor holes range from maximum of 29 mm on 114 mm widths to 38 mmon the wide widths. Restrictions onwane for this grade described forHem-Fir example.

No. 2Douglas Fir

Recommended for most general construction purposes. Well-spacedknots of any quality are allowable.Centerline knots range from maxi-mums of 60 mm on 114 mm widthsto 133 on wide widths. Edge knotsrange from maximums of 41 mm to 105 mm. Holes from any causerange from maximums of 35 mm on114 mm widths to 89 mm on widewidths, one per 610 mm.

Select StructuralDouglas Fir

In Select Structural grade knots arelimited to sound, firm, encased andpith knots, if tight and well spaced,with one unsound or loose knot or hole per 1.2 metres. Centerlineknots range from 38 mm on 114 mmwidths to 83 mm on 337 to 343 mmwidths. Edge knots range from maxi-mums of 25 mm on 114 mm widthsto 60 mm on widest. Unsound looseknots or holes range from maximumof 22 mm on 114 mm widths to 32mm on the wide widths, one per 1.2 metres.

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Select StructuralHem-Fir

Knots are limited to sound, firm,encased and pith knots, if tight andwell spaced, with one unsound orloose knot or hole per 1.2 metres.Restrictions on centerline, edge,unsound loose knots or holes aredescribed for Douglas Fir. Wane is allowed up to 1/4 the thicknessand 1/4 the width full length, orequivalent on each face, providedthat wane not exceed 1/2 the thick-ness or 1/3 the width for up to 1/4 the length.

No. 1Hem-Fir

Restrictions on centerline, edge,unsound loose knots or holesdescribed in Douglas Fir examplefor No. 1 grade. Wane is allowed up to 1/4 the thickness and 1/4 thewidth full length, or equivalent oneach face, provided that wane notexceed 1/2 the thickness or 1/3 thewidth for up to 1/4 the length.

No. 2Hem-Fir

Recommended for most general construction purposes. Well-spacedknots of any quality are allowable.Restrictions on centerline, edge andunsound loose knots or holes apply.Wane is allowed up to 1/3 the thick-ness and 1/3 the width full length, orequivalent on each face, providedthat wane not exceed 2/3 the thick-ness or 1/2 the width for up to 1/4the length.

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Introduction These products are graded almostexclusively by visual inspection.The assigned grades are a judge-ment of appearance, not strength.Appearance-grade products canrange from the extraordinarily rareand exquisite, clear and nearlyclear SELECT, FINISH, R-ListCLEARS and ARCHITECTURALgrades, to the most utilitarianboards intended for applicationswhere economy is the most important consideration.

The extremely clear products are limited in availability, generallyresulting from small volumes ofolder growth timber periodicallyharvested from privately ownedforestlands. Most appearance-gradeproducts are manufactured fromprimarily second-growth timber-lands managed in natural stands.

GradesAppearance grades are morespecies specific than are the structural grades. While sometimesmarketed in combinations basedon like appearances, species in the appearance grades are usuallymarketed separately. The speciescombinations in Table 1 are basedon similarities (among species) instructural performance and do notnecessarily apply to appearance-grade products.

Appearance grades often reflecttheir origins in the different ecolog-ical sub-regions of the vast, U.S.West. For instance, there are special grades (originating inIdaho) for Idaho White pine.

There are specific grades forredwood products, developed incoastal northern California andsouthern Oregon, the only area inthe world where redwood is growncommercially. There is one set of “Board” grades for pine, origi-nating from the inland West wherePonderosa, Lodgepole and Sugarpines thrive; and another for firproducts, originating from thecoastal region of the Pacific Northwest where Douglas fir

and Western Hemlock dominate.While species may be graded toany number of rules, many produc-ers remain responsive to the prefer-ences of their customers, and keep the grades connected to the species for which they wereinitially developed and are oftenbest suited.

Table 2 provides a partial list ofwestern species appearance grades.

Grade Categories & End Uses As indicated in Table 2, appear-ance-grade products can be divid-ed into two broad categories: ■ The highest quality appearanceproducts are often absolutely clear,free from natural characteristics,blemishes and manufacturingimperfections. They are the mostperfect pieces possible, pricedaccordingly, and intended forapplications where only the finestappearance is essential. Products inthese grades are always carefullymanufactured and usually kilndried.■ The general-purpose BOARDgrades are applied to knotty products with limitations for thetypes and quality of allowablecharacteristics and manufacturingimperfections determined by therange of individual grades. Theseproducts are more widely availableand well suited to a variety of high to low-end applications.

Highest Quality Appearance Grades

CLEAR, SELECT and equivalentIdaho White pine grades are deter-mined from the better side or face.FINISH grades are likewise gradedfrom the better side or face butalso from both edges on pieces 114 mm and narrower, and fromthe better side or face and one edge on pieces 140 mm and wider.These products are intended forhigh visibility in such applicationsas fascia, trim, refined panelling,railings, etc.

The redwood ARCHITECTURALgrades are assigned to the highestquality all-heartwood and clearproducts in this species. Architec-tural grades are free of defects onone face and available surfaced orsaw textured for interior and exteri-or uses. Because all-heart redwoodis decay and insect resistant, this

Photo: Richly stained, solid-sawnDouglas fir in FINISH grades wasused to fabricate sliding panels anddoors. Portions of the micro-lambeams of the ceiling light soffits areencased with Douglas fir, other por-tions rely on Douglas fir veneers toachieve the design.

Western Species Appearance Grades Table 2

EquivalentProduct Categories Grades Grades

In Idaho White Pine

R-List Clears No. 2 CLEAR & BTR*(applied primarily to Douglas fir, No. 3 CLEARWestern hemlock, Sitka spruce No. 4 CLEAR*and Western Red cedar)

Selects B & BTR SELECT SUPREME(applied to all species but used C SELECT* CHOICE*primarily for pine products) D SELECT* QUALITY*

Finish Grades WWPA Rules WCLIB Rules(usually available only in SUPERIOR* C & BTR Douglas fir and Hem-Fir species) PRIME* D

E*

Redwood Heartwood Grades: Architectural Grades CLEAR ALL HEART*RIS Rules HEART B*(only for redwood species) Sapwood Grades:

CLEAR*B GRADE*

Special Western Red Cedar CLEAR HEARTPattern1 Grades A GRADE(only for cedar species) B GRADE

R-List Merchantable SELECT MERCHANTABLE(primarily in Douglas fir, Western No. 1 MERCHANTABLE*hemlock, Sitka spruce and No. 2 MERCHANTABLEWestern Red cedar) No. 3 COMMON

Common Boards 1 COMMON* COLONIALWWPA Rules 2 COMMON* STERLING(primarily in pines, spruces 3 COMMON* STANDARDand cedars) 4 COMMON* UTILITY

5 COMMON INDUSTRIAL

Board Grades SELECT MERCHANTABLE*WCLIB Rules CONSTRUCTION*(primarily in Douglas fir STANDARD*and Hem-Fir species) UTILITY

ECONOMY

Redwood Heartwood Grades: Garden Grades CONSTRUCTION HEART/ RIS Rules DECK HEART*(only for redwood species) Sapwood Grades:

CONSTRUCTION COMMON/DECK COMMON*

MERCHANTABLE

Special Western Red Cedar SELECT KNOTTYPattern1 Grades QUALITY KNOTTY(only for cedar)

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species is often favored for thehighest quality outdoor applica-tions such as siding and trim andfor such amenities as decks, arbors,railings, planters, fences, etc.

The highest quality Red Cedarheartwood “Pattern” grades are typically run-to-pattern as siding

* These grades are represented in photographs on the following pages. 1 “Pattern” includes Finish, Panelling, Ceiling and Siding grades.

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products for exterior use. Suchproducts take advantage of cedarheartwood’s natural durabilityagainst decay and insect attack.Like redwood, these products areavailable surfaced or saw textured.Square-edged cedar boards are oftengraded under the SELECT rules.

General Purpose Boards (Knotty Grades)

In the general-purpose category,the COMMON and equivalentIdaho White pine grades are deter-mined from the better face onknotty products. 1 and 2 Commongrades are intended for panelling,shelving and other uses where a fine appearance in a knotty product is desirable. 3 Common iswidely used for these applicationsas well, but also for fences, boxes,crating, sheathing and industrialapplications. 4 Common is themost widely used grade for generalconstruction in such applicationsas sub-floors, roof and wall sheath-ing, concrete forms, low-cost fenc-ing, crating, etc. 5 Common is agood choice for applications whereeconomy governs.

The MERCHANTABLE andBOARD grades (commonly appliedto fir, hemlock and spruce species)are similarly evaluated from thebetter face with the higher Mer-chantable grades appropriate forany application where an exposed,refined knotty appearance is suitable. Construction grade is used for spaced sheathing, let-inbracing, fences, boxes, crating andindustrial applications. The uses forR-List No. 3 Common and WCLIBStandard grade are similar to a 4Common, as described above.

Redwood GARDEN grades, inboth all heart and heart/sapwoodoptions, contain knots of varyingsizes and qualities along with slightimperfections. Construction Heartand Deck Heart, two of the highergrades in the combination, areintended for decks, posts, retainingwalls, fences and outdoor usesespecially on or near soil. TheConstruction Common and DeckCommon grades, which includesapwood, are for similar applica-tions above ground where theheartwood’s decay and insect resis-tance is not required.

Red Cedar Select Knotty andQuality Knotty general purpose“Pattern” grades are similar inappearance and end use to the 2and 3 COMMONS. Widely used forsiding and panelling products andin landscape applications.

Please refer to page 16 to viewgrades; redwood grades begin onpage 30.

Choice & BTRIdaho White Pine

The splendid characteristics of Idaho White pine (IWP)are widely known among woodworkers. It is very light in color, even textured, virtually free of any tendency to split or sliver, and is famous for its workability acrossor with the grain. Like redwood and cedar, IWP has itsown set of grades that serve to specifically identify thespecies in the marketplace. Choice & BTR (whichincludes some pieces that would make Supreme grade),is identical to the C & BTR Select grade used for otherWestern pines.

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C & BTR SelectPonderosa Pine

C & Better (BTR) Select is a virtually clear, nearly blem-ish-free grade which can be applied to any species butusually reserved for western pines. It represents one ofthe most sought after products from the clear portion ofthe log and is recommended where fine appearance isessential. Pieces are graded from the better face. Fewcharacteristics are allowed. Roughly equivalent to theNo. 2 Clear & BTR (Export R-list Rules, shown on page27), Superior (WWPA Rules, page18) and C & BTR(WCLIB Rules) grades which are usually reserved forDouglas fir, Hem-Fir species, spruces or Western cedars.

D SelectPonderosa Pine

Timber of this grade has many of the fine appearance features of the C Select grade. Although generally lessrestrictive than C Select, D Select is suitable where therequirements for finishing are less exacting. The grade is between the higher grades for clear wood and theBOARD grades applied to knotty products. Graded fulllength on the best face with reverse side often includinglarger and more numerous characteristics.

QualityIdaho White Pine

Like redwood and cedar, IWP has its own set of grades that serve to specifically identify the species in the marketplace. Quality, used only for Idaho White pine, isidentical to the D Select grade used for other Westernpines.

These highest appearance grades are widely used for interiorwalls, mouldings, cabinets, siding, panelling, architecturalwoodwork, soffits, interior and exterior trim and hundreds of other standard and special applications. Western speciesprovide excellent surfaces for any type of finish – natural,stain or paint.

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E FinishDouglas Fir

The intent of E Finish grade (WWPARules) is to include fall down fromthe higher FINISH grades wherecross cutting and/or ripping willresult in cuttings of Prime or Superiorgrade. Each piece of E Finish mustcontain two thirds or more of suchcuttings 50 mm or wider and 400mm or longer.

Superior or C & BTRDouglas Fir

Superior (WWPA Rules) and C & BTR(WCLIB Rules) grades are virtuallyclear, limited in availability, and priced accordingly. Intended for applications demanding only the finest quality. Recommended and widely used for interior trim and cabinet work with natural, stain or enamel finishes where refined appearance is sought. When Superior VG or C & BTR VG isspecified, the face must present a vertical grain (VG) appearance.

Prime or DDouglas Fir

Prime (WWPA Rules) and D (WCLIBRules) grades, usually applied toDouglas fir and the Hem-Fir species,exhibit fine appearance althoughslightly less restrictive on character-istics than are Superior and C & BTR.VG (vertical grain) may be specified.In Prime, a 76 mm cutout at one endor more than .9 metres from the endis permitted in pieces of otherwisehigh appearance. Cutouts arerestricted to pieces 3.7 metres andlonger and 10% of the item.

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ConstructionDouglas Fir

Construction grade (WCLIB Rules)boards are recommended and widelyused for utilitarian shelving, sub-floors, roof and wall sheathing, con-crete forms and similar types of con-struction in non-load bearing appli-cations. Where they occur, charac-teristics are limited to assure a highdegree of serviceability. Varioustypes and sizes of knots and knotholes, proportionate to the width ofthe piece, are permissible.

Select MerchantableDouglas Fir

Select Merchantable (WCLIB Rules) iswell suited for use in housing and light construction as panelling,shelving, siding or any finish appli-cation where a knotty type of timberwith a refined appearance is desired.Each piece is of good appearance,must be close grained and free fromwane on the face. A few, minorcharacteristics are allowed. Soundtight knots ranging from approxi-mately 32 mm in 102mm widths to64 mm in 305 widths, proportionatein wider widths, are permitted.

StandardDouglas Fir

Standard boards (WCLIB Rules) areavailable in large volumes and morewidely used than other grades forgeneral, non-load bearing construc-tion purposes. Standard is used forsubfloors, roof and wall sheathingand other similar applications.Although appearance is given con-sideration, pieces are graded chieflyfor serviceability and not intendedfor exposed positions. A variety ofsizes and types of knots, knot holes,wane and other imperfections anddefects are allowed.

2 CommonEngelmann Spruce

Engelmann spruce has the lightest weight of the commercially important western softwood species. It isextremely strong in relation to its weight. It is nearlywhite, ordourless, tasteless, smooth, soft textured andstraight grained.

2 Common is intended primarily for use in housing andlight construction where the wood will remain exposed,in such uses as panelling, shelving and other applica-tions where the refined appearance can be seen andappreciated. Sterling is the equivalent grade in IdahoWhite pine.

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1 CommonPonderosa Pine

Ponderosa Pine is one of the most beloved species of the western region. Its creamy color, refined texture andworkability characteristics are widely appreciated forwindows, doors, mouldings, furniture, panelling, shelv-ing, fascia, soffits, etc.

1 Common, while not available in large volumes, may be ordered when the ultimate in fine appearance in aknotty material is required in Ponderosa or Sugar pine,or in the spruce and cedar species. The grade includesall sound, tight-knotted stock with the size and characterof the knots as the determining factor in the grade.Colonial is the equivalent grade in Idaho White pine.

3 CommonPonderosa Pine

3 Common is recommended and widely used for a largerange of building purposes where appearance andstrength are both important. With characteristics limitedto assure a high degree of serviceability, this grade isoften used for shelving, panelling and siding and is espe-cially well suited for fences, boxes, crating, sheathing and many industrial uses. Standard is the equivalent gradein Idaho White pine.

4 CommonEngelmann Spruce

4 Common is the most widely used of the COMMONSfor general construction purposes such as subflooring,low cost fencing, crating, etc. It is popular for a varietyof industrial uses. Although appearance is a considera-tion, pieces are graded for serviceability and not intend-ed for exposed construction. A range of knot types andsizes, knot holes, characteristics and imperfections areallowed in the grade. 5 Common (not shown) is avail-able for economy-driven applications. Utility andIndustrial are the equivalent grades in Idaho White pine.

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IntroductionProducts graded for industrial andremanufacturing applications areavailable in structural and non-struc-tural grades. There are many types of specific grades in this broad classification of timber products;however, the focus here is on non-structural remanufacturing timbergrades from RIS, WCLIB and WWPAand the Export “R” List grades fromthe PLIB.

Grades and End Uses Timber products intended for remanufacturing purposes are gener-ally graded for the percentage ofstandard-size clear “cuttings” thatcan be recovered from a piece after ripping and cross cutting it toremove defects or other characteris-tics. These cuttings are known as the economical clears of the timberindustry and are used for windows,doors, furniture, mouldings, boxes,cabinetry and other millwork. Theyare also ideal for edge gluing, finger-jointing and/or laminating produc-tion operations.

The grades may be applied tomost species, including redwoodand cedar. However, in practice, the species most widely used for theremanufacturing grades are Douglasfir, Ponderosa pine, Sugar pine, andWestern hemlock and the true firs,which are often combined and marketed as Hem-Fir.

While the predetermined sizes for the recoverable cuttings in thesegrades have evolved from the stan-dard sizes used for U.S. joinery components, there is always flexibil-ity in how small, clear cuttings canbe recovered from a larger piece.Consequently, in the internationalmarketplace, the sizes of the cuttingsto be recovered from Factory andShop timber are often adjusted tomeet the requirements of particularremanufacturing needs.

Remanufacturing timber is usuallysold in random widths from 102 to635 mm, random lengths from 1.8 to 6.1 metres, and in thicknessesfrom 25 to 102 mm. Standard sizesare shown in Table 3. Applicationsfor door and sash cuttings are shownin Figures 1 and 2.

WCLIB and WWPA product categories and grades include:

Moulding Stock* – applies to allspecies, all widths and thicknesses,and defines timber suitable for rippinginto strips 25 mm and wider, 3 metresand longer for making mouldings.

Shop Timber (WWPA & WCLIB) –applies to all species and thickness-es, graded with reference to the per-centage of area in the piece that isrecoverable in cuttings for use inwindow sash and door parts. Twoquality levels are recognized in thecuttings, No. 1 and No. 2. Specificgrades are:

Factory Select - No. 3 Clear (WWPA), Select (WCLIB) and Nos. 1*, 2*, and 3 Shop.

Door Stock (WCLIB) – applies to allspecies except cedar in stock 29 mmand thicker, graded for percentage ofarea in each piece recoverable incuttings to be used as stiles and railsfor door parts and muntins (or mul-lions) for window parts. Three levelsof quality are recognized for the cut-tings, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Specificgrades include the following andmay be specified vertical grain (VG):

Factory Select * and Nos. 1*, 2*, and 3 Shop.

Flush Door Stock (WWPA) –includes products in Douglas firand Hem-Fir which are 29 mm and thicker intended for use in themanufacture of flush-type doors tobe covered with veneer. Specific grades are:

Factory Select (No. 3 Clear) and Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Shop.

Jamb and Head Stock (WWPA) – finished rough or smooth, in allspecies, 29 mm and thicker, 102 to203 mm wide, graded for the recov-ery of cuttings suitable for manufac-ture into door jambs and componentparts. Cuttings will include Sides,Heads, Moulding Rips and finger-joint material in predeterminedsizes. Stock may be flat, vertical ormixed grain; usually to be resawn.Specific grades include:

Clear Door Factory Select and Nos. 1, 2 and 3.

Redwood remanufacturing gradesare ideal for doors, windows, furni-ture and a variety of other remanu-facturing applications for outdoorinstallations where a durable speciesis preferred, or for interior applica-tions to showcase the beauty of thewood. Products include: Photo: Factory and Shop grade prod-

ucts are used throughout the worldfor doors, windows, shutters andother remanufactured items.

Factory Select (RIS) – a premiumquality cutting grade that will pro-duce Clear All Heart or Clear withone piece, not more than 305 linearmm, to be cut out. Standard sizesare 19 mm and thicker by 89 to 286mm wide. All Heart Factory Select isavailable only by special contract.

No. 1 Shop (RIS) - a high qualitycutting grade that will produce notless than 60% Clear & BTR cuttings89 mm and wider by .9 metres andlonger. Cuttings must meet graderequirements on one face and twoedges. All Heart Shop is available byspecial contract.

PLIB’s Export “R” List remanufac-turing grades are generally evaluatedagainst grading criteria that limitallowable characteristics rather thanestablishing a percentage of recover-able cuttings in predetermined sizes.The Clears are well suited to anyremanufacturing application requir-ing the highest possible quality and appearance, e.g. furniture, cabinets, windows, doors, trim, etc.Merchantable grades allow for knotsand other characteristics with thehighest grades being well manufac-tured and suitable for high-end construction purposes; the lowestgrade, a 3 Common, is appropriatefor more casual applications where unsound or loose knots are acceptable.

PLIB Export “R” List remanufac-turing grades include:

Clears – separated into three specialgrades of vertical or random grainwith grades determined by numberand size of irregularities permittedand number of annual growth rings(in the two highest grades). Allowablecharacteristics vary with three thick-ness categories. Specific gradesinclude:

No. 2 Clear* No. 3 Clear No. 4 Clear*

Merchantable - separated into fourspecial grades determined by allow-able characteristics for knots andimperfections varying with fourthickness categories. Specific gradesinclude:

Selected Merchantable No. 1 Merchantable*No. 2 Merchantable No. 3 Common

* Grades marked with an * are shownon the following pages.

Door Cuttings Figure 1 Sash Cuttings Figure 2

Standard Sizes for Remanufacturing Timber Grades Table 3

Product Description Nominal Size (U.S.) Dry Dressed SizesThickness Width Thickness Width Lengths(Inches) (mm) (mm) (m)

Factory & Shop S2S 1 (4/4) Refer to 19 Usually 1.8 &

Timber (Surfaced 2 Sides) 1-1/4 (5/4) grading 29 sold longer in

1-1/2 (6/4) rules. 36 random multiples

1-3/4 (7/4) 40 width of 0.3 m

2 (8/4) 46

2-1/2 (10/4) 60

3 (12/4) 70

4 (16/4) 95

Note on sizes: Timber sizes and product classifications shown above are for standard U.S. domestic grades and specifications. Many mills willcustom cut products to specific grades and sizes requested by customers.

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29 mm & Thicker RWLMoulding StockPonderosa Pine

Moulding Stock is suitable for rippinginto strips 25 mm and wider, 3.0 mand longer. At least 66.7 % of thearea contains such rips of the gradepermissible in standard mouldings.In 29, 36 and 40 mm wide MouldingStock, the grade of each rip is deter-mined from the poorest face. Wane,stain, skips in dressing or other char-acteristics that will surface off inmaking mouldings are permitted incomputing the percentage of rips.Up to 10% of the total cubic metresof any item may be 1.8 to 2.7 m,provided each piece contains 66.7%or more of full length MouldingRips.

Both pieces are 4.9 metres long.

Example 1 is 152 mm wide and con-tains 83.8% of acceptable MouldingRips. Rip is 127 mm x 4.9 m.

Example 2 contains 76.2% ofacceptable Moulding Rips. Thescale-off mark (which is the circlednumeral 1 in the board) indicatesthat 0.09 m2 surface measure is“scaled off” due to wane creating atotal loss of 10% or more of the areaof the piece. Rips are 32 mm x 4.9 m, 32 mm x 4.6 m, 44 mm x 4.3 m, 44 mm x 3.7 m, and 38 mmx 3 m.

29 mm & Thicker RWL No. 1 ShopSugar Pine

Each piece contains from 50% to70% of No. 1 Door Cuttings, exceptthat pieces containing one or moreNo. 1 Door Cuttings will permit oneNo. 2 Stile. Not over two Muntins(Mullions) are included in any piece.

Each piece is 4.9 metres long.

Example 1 is 378 mm wide andscales 1.9 m2 surface measure. Thetotal area of acceptable DoorCuttings is 1.05 m2, or 55.3%.Cuttings are two at 229 x 914 mm,229 x 711 mm and 229 x 762 mm.

Example 2 is 356 mm wide andscales 1.7 m2 surface measure. The total area of acceptable DoorCuttings is 1.16 m2 or 68.2 %.Cuttings are one at 152 x 1219 mmand three at 152 x 2134 mm.

19 mm S4S (DAR)No. 2 ShopPonderosa Pine

This grade consists of Shop typepieces which do not have therequired percentage of cuttings necessary for 19 mm No. 1 Shop.Each piece contains not less than33.3% of cuttings of the size andquality permissible in 19 mm No. 1 Shop grade.

Each piece is 286 mm wide and 4.9 metres long.

Example 1 contains 40.7% ofacceptable cuttings. One of the cuttings contains a very small pitchpocket. Cuttings are 171 x 1219mm,241 x 483 and 127 x 1549 mm.

Example 2 contains 36.4% ofacceptable cuttings. A very smallallowable pitch pocket is in one ofthe cuttings grading C Select.Cuttings are 152 x 2007 mm and165 x 1219 mm. The scale-off mark(the circled numeral 2 on the board)indicates that .185 m2 surface mea-sure is “scaled off” due to massedpitch showing on reverse face creat-ing a total loss of 5% or more of thearea of the piece.

Example 3 contains 40.0% ofacceptable cuttings. One of the cut-tings contains a 13 mm pin knotwhich will grade C Select. Cuttingsare 165 X 2108 mm, 102 x 914 mmand 127 x 914 mm.

29 mm & Thicker RWLMoulding StockPonderosa Pine

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29 mm & Thicker RWL No. 1 ShopSugar Pine

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19 mm S4S (DAR)No. 2 ShopPonderosa Pine

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No. 2 Clear & BTRDouglas Fir

Each piece shall be sound timber,well manufactured. Three irregulari-ties are permitted on face side, fouron reverse side, including corre-sponding half of edges, for each lineal 3.7 m, based on 203 mmwidths; and shall average at least 6 rings of annual growth to 25 mmon either one end or the other. Knots are permitted on the reverseface only. In 127 mm and thickerstock, an occasional piece 5.5 m or longer may have one larger irregularity showing in one or twosurfaces if so placed that by cuttingit out, the shortest cutting will be 2.4 m or longer, providing the balance of piece is practically freefrom other irregularities. Limit ofwaste, 305 mm.

Example 1 is virtually free of irregularities on the face.

Only one small pitch pocket showsin Example 2.

Example 3 shows allowable irregu-larities for the reverse face. It con-tains one pin knot, one small knotand one very small pitch streak (aswould be permitted on the face ofNo. 3 Clear).

No. 4 ClearDouglas Fir

No. 4 Clear is a grade recommendedand widely used where general utility purposes are of more impor-tance than appearance. Each pieceshall be well manufactured and will permit one or more irregularitieswhich are of such size or numberthat it is not of No. 3 Clear grade.Unless otherwise specified, irregular-ities in the reverse face can beslightly in excess of those allowedon the face. Grade descriptions arebased on a piece 203 mm wide and3.7 m in length. In all thicknesses,occasional pieces in shipment mayhave a 102 mm cutout 1.2 m or more from either end in pieces 3.7 m or longer.

Example 1 contains six knots ranging from 10 to 25 mm.

Example 2 has three knots with the maximum size of 25 mm, three knots 19 mm, several pin knots and a very small pitch pocket.

Example 3 contains five knots ranging from10 to 19 mm, and medium heart stain.

51mm x 254 & 305 mmNo. 1 MerchantableDouglas Fir

Each piece shall be well manufac-tured and suitable for good substan-tial purposes, must be medium grainand will permit sound and tightknots ranging from approximately 38 mm in 102 mm widths to 76 mmin 305 mm widths, proportionate inwider widths.

Sound and tight knots up to 68 mmare contained in Example 1 withsapwood less than one half the area.

Example 2 contains sapwood including blue stain less than onehalf the area with sound and tightknots up to 64 mm.

Example 3 has sound and tight knots, with the largest knot 64 mm,and allowable wane on one end.

No. 2 Clear & BTRDouglas Fir

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No. 4 ClearDouglas Fir

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51mm x 254 & 305 mmNo. 1 MerchantableDouglas Fir

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2 x 5 Full (51 x 127 mm)Factory Select VGHem-Fir

Each piece contains 70% or more of No. 1 Door Cuttings. Sizes andgrades of cuttings permitted in anycombination are as follows:

127 and 152 mm widths - Any number of No. 1 Stiles, one only No. 1 Top Rail. In pieces requir-ing three Stiles to get the necessary percentage of cuttings, one No. 2 Stile is allowed. Muntins are not permitted in this grade.

254 and 305 mm widths – Any number of No. 1 Stiles, one No. 1 Top Rail and two only No. 1

Bottom Rails are allowed. Inpieces requiring

three Stiles to get the necessary percentage of cuttings, one No. 2 Stile is allowed. Muntins are not permitted in this grade.

Each piece is 4.9 metres long.

Example 1 contains 74.1% of accept-able Door Cuttings, including on No. 1 Top Rail and one No. 1 Stile.Cuttings are 127 mm x 1194 and2464 mm long.

Example 2 contains 98.4% of accept-able Door Cuttings, including twoNo. 1 Stiles. Cuttings are 127 mmwide x 2362 and 2438 mm long.

Example 3 contains 74.1% of accept-able Door Cuttings, including a No.1 Top Rail and Stile. Cuttings are 127mm wide x 1194 and 2464 mm long.

2 x 5 Full (51 x 127 mm) No. 1 Shop VGDouglas Fir

Each piece contains from 50% to70% of Door Cuttings. Sizes andgrade of cuttings admissible are anyof the following or combinationsthereof:

a. any number of No. 1 Stiles; orb. any number of No. 1 Rails

229, 254 and 305 mm wide; orc. two only No. 1 Muntins or No. 1

Top Rails; ord. one only No. 2 Stile allowed.

Each 127 or 152 mm piece in thisgrade contains at least one Stile.

Each piece is 4.9 metres long.

Example 1 contains 87.0% of accept-able Door Cuttings, but will notmake Factory Select as only one No. 1Top Rail is permitted in that grade.Cuttings are 127 mm wide x 2108,940 and 1194 long.

Example 2 contains 89.1% of accept-able Door Cuttings, but will notmake Factory Select as only one No.1 Top Rail is permitted in that grade.Cuttings are 127 mm wide x 1041,2261 and 1041 long.

Example 3 contains 81.3% of accept-able Door Cuttings, but will notmake Factory Select as only one No.1 Top Rail is permitted in that grade.Cuttings are 127 mm wide x 686,2108 and 1194 mm long.

2 x 5 Full (51 x 127 mm) No. 2 Shop VGDouglas Fir

Each piece contains not less than25% No. 1 Door Cuttings, or 40%No. 2 Door Cuttings, or 60% No. 3Door Cuttings, or 33.3% of No. 1and No. 2 Door Cuttings combined.Any combination of Stiles, Rails or Muntins is permitted except No. 1Rails are figured as No. 2.

Each piece is 4.9 metres long.

Example 1 contains 71% of accept-able Door Cuttings. Annual growth-ring count of less than 6 rings per 25 mm in this piece makes all of itscuttings No. 3 Cuttings. Cuttings are127 mm wide x 635, 686 and 2159mm long.

Example 2 contains 74.2 % ofacceptable Door Cuttings. This piecedoes not contain a Stile which isneeded to qualify it as a No. 1 Shop.Cuttings are 127 mm wide x 965and 1067; two are 787 mm long.

Example 3 contains 65.6% ofacceptable Door Cuttings. The mixedNo. 1 and No. 2 Door Cuttings determinethis grade. Cuttings are 127 mmwide x 737, 762, 787 and 914 mmlong.

2 x 5 Full (51 x 127 mm)Factory Select VGHem-Fir

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Clear All HeartArchitectural Grade

Clear All Heart is the finest architec-tural heartwood grade, combiningdurability and beautiful appearance.It is normally Certified Kiln Dried (butalso available unseasoned) and free of defects on one face. Available surfaced or saw-textured. Used forsiding, panelling, trim, cabinetry,moulding, fascia, soffits and millworkor for highly refined decks, hot tubsand garden structures.

Heart B Architectural Grade

Heart B is a quality heartwood gradecontaining limited knots and othercharacteristics not permitted in ClearAll Heart. Available dried or unsea-soned; surfaced or saw-textured.Widely used for siding, panelling,trim, fascia, moulding and otherarchitectural details. Well suited forquality decking, garden structuresand other above-ground outdoorapplications.

ClearArchitectural Grade

Clear grade is the same general qual-ity as Clear All Heart except that Clear contains sapwood. NormallyCertified Kiln Dried (but also avail-able unseasoned). Readily availablesurfaced or saw-textured. Used forsiding, panelling, trim, cabinetry,moulding, fascia and soffits, and forquality decking, garden structuresand other above-ground applications.

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Construction Common/ Deck CommonGarden Grade

Construction Common and DeckCommon allow the same characteris-tics as Construction Heart, but permitsapwood. Both grades are availableunseasoned or seasoned; surfaced orrough. Available only in 38 x 89 mmand 38 x 140 mm, is graded forstrength in addition to appearance.Used for decking, fence boards andother above-ground garden uses.

Construction Heart/Deck HeartGarden Grade

These two heartwood grades containknots of varying sizes and quality.Available seasoned or unseasoned;surfaced or rough. Deck Heart, avail-able only in 38 x 89 mm and 38 x140 mm, is graded for strength inaddition to appearance. Used fordecks, posts, retaining walls, fences,garden structures, stairs and any useon or near soil.

B GradeArchitectural Grade

A quality architectural grade contain-ing sapwood, allowing limited knotsand other characteristics not permit-ted in Clear. Available dried or unsea-soned; surfaced or saw-textured.Widely used for siding, panelling,trim, fascia, moulding and otherarchitectural uses. Also appropriatefor quality decking, garden structuresand other above-ground outdoorapplications.

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The Softwood Export Council (SEC)is a non-profit trade council of U.S.softwood grading agencies, industrytrade associations, state exportdevelopment agencies and othersinterested in the promotion of U.S.softwood products internationally.SEC coordinates overseas marketdevelopment activities with the U.S.Foreign Agricultural Service, itsmember organizations’ agents andwith importers and users of U.S. softwood products in international markets.

International field offices and SEC representatives are located inJapan, Korea, China, Mexico, Spainand England. Details are providedon the SEC website.

The SEC website also providesinformation on member organiza-tions, services and companies aswell as a directory of literature andsupporting information on products.Most product support publications,many in multiple languages, may beordered directly from SEC interna-tional field offices.

Softwood Export Council Portland, Oregon USAemail: info@softwood.orgwebsite: www.softwood.org

SEC-1/ 8-99, Rev. 9-04 / 500 Printed in USA on recycled paper.© 1999, 2004 SEC