American Hardwood Lumber Grades

They were established over 100 years ago by the newly formed national hardwood lumber association nhla.
American hardwood lumber grades. Grading rules for american hardwood lumber. Treated wood program. The illustrated guide to american hardwood lumber grades 03 example of sm and bf. American hardwood lumber council.
Color sorting in addition to sorting for grades or selecting specific widths various species are commercially sold at an added value. Hardwood lumber industry and forms the basis for export grading. The board below is a 2 thick 6 1 4 wide and 8 long. The illustrated guide to american hardwood lumber grades.
The illustrated guide to american hardwood lumber grades. For complete details the grading rule book can be purchased from the national hardwood lumber association. The common grades are likely to be most suitable for the cabinet industry most furniture parts and flooring. The highest grade boards are long wide and free of defects.
This guide provides a simplified explanation of the nhla grading system which is the national standard for the u s. Worldwide hardwood lumber producers grade their lumber assuring downstream consumers of the lumber of the lumber s quality for the intended use. Put simply lumber grading serves quality assurance needs. Today the nhla has over 2000 members worldwide and the nhla rules are still the national standard for the us hardwood industry and form the basis for grading of export lumber.
Alsxc american lumber standard committee incorporated germantown md the alsc site contains general information on the alsc the accreditation programs it adm inisters and contact information for the agencies the alsc accredits. Hardwood lumber grades and grading rules have been established and are governed by the national hardwood lumber association nhla. Hardwood grading for lumber considers the size and number of pieces or cuttings which may be yielded during the creation of a hardwood product. It is necessary to consult with your supplier as to the exact specifications being applied to these export grade names.
Thus the sm is 4. Explore the use of the common grades to achieve the most value considering lumber cost and yield. The simplified process of determining hardwood lumber grades. Multiply the sm by the thickness 2 and the bf is 8.
The nhla grading system which is used by buyers and sellers of hardwood lumber describes the amount of usable clear material in a board. The grading system is based therefore on the measurable percentage of clear wood that is defect free for each of the grades.