Our Forest, Renewable Resource - Grading - Softwood Lumber
  

How Softwood Lumber is Graded

Softwood lumber is graded using the American Lumber Standards, which are based on the structural integrity of a board. These grades consider the size and location of defects as well as the slope of grain in order to predict the load bearing capacity of the board. These factors are used to determine the percentage of clear wood in the board that in turn determines the grade. Several of the most common grades and their clear wood requirements are: 
 
  • Select - at least 80% clear wood 
  • #1 Structural - at least 75% clear wood 
  • #2 Structural - at least 66% clear wood 
  • #3 Structural - at least 50% clear wood 
  • Construction Grade - at least 57% clear wood 
  • Standard Grade - at least 43% clear wood 
  • Utility Grade - at least 29% clear wood
 
Very large commercial mills are usually certified and are granted the right to grade stamp their lumber. Being certified is an expensive and involved process that precludes most mills from grade stamping.  
 
Source: A Consumers' Guide to Buying and using Locally Produced Lumber, New York Department of Environmental Conservation and Black River - St.Lawrence Resource Conservation and Development Council
 
Disclaimer 
OnlineCatalog
LCIDA Home 
"It is hard to detect good 
luck -- it looks so much 
like something you've 
earned ".
     -Fred A. Clark
 Lewis County 
Industrial Development Agency