Lumber ratings

There are eight hardwood lumber grades in widespread use today. FAS is the highest and No. In short, the higher grades of lumber have more large clear area than the lower grades.

Machine Stress Rated (MSR) lumber is evaluated by mechanical stress rating equipment. Structural light framing lumber has nominal dimensions of to thickness and to width, and typically divided into four separate grades : select structural, No. MSR lumber is also required to meet certain visual grading requirements.

Select Structural is the best grade in terms of strength characteristics and also the most expensive, No. The species of lumber and lumber grades available will often vary depending on which region you are in. In California, for example, the predominate species of dimensional lumber used for home building is Douglas Fir-Larch (DF-L). Grading designation depends on the number of defects in a board. To ensure that the right kind of lumber is used for the right job, the U. Unlike visual lumber grades , the evaluated properties become the grade identifier, and are placed on the stamp.

The best way to begin is by understanding how lumber is made in the first place. The grades from best to worst include:. Often firsts and seconds will be joined into one grade and will be labeled FAS. You can find the grade noted on the ink stamp that is applied by the sawmill. Most building supply stores stock only a few grades of lumber , but a wider variety of grades can be special ordered.

There is a grade of redwood for almost any application suitable for wood. Redwood is graded by appearance and durability, with criteria defined by the Redwood Inspection Service. Home About Us Start Here Janka Ratings.

I self-installed the lumber and the process was simple as can be. Pressure-treated lumber is rated by the amount of chemical infused in it per cubic foot of wood. Ground-contact rated lumber has. These depend on various factors like the type of wood used and the number and types of defects, if any. Ratings on over 170corporate, government and structured finance securities.

Information about training seminars, briefings, and teleconferences. of issuers under review for rating changes. Dimensional framing lumber is graded for structural applications like joists, rafters and trusses. These structural framing grades can be determined by two methods—visual inspection or machine testing.

Supported by more than three million acres of company-owned forestlands in the Northwest, and nearly million acres of Canadian Crown lands, we are continually investing in our manufacturing. In general, the grades referred to herein are rough sawn. Light Framing is lumber 2″ to 4″ (mm to 1mm) thick and 2″ to 4″ (mm to 1mm) wide either rough sawn or surfaced four sides (S4S). A brief description of the basic grades are as follows: FAS: Shorthand for “First and Seconds”.

Find quality treated lumber online or in store. MSR grades can be produced in sizes 2xup to 2x12. Grades are designated by Fb and E. Finish, which is subdivided into grades composed of letters or combinations of letters (BBTR, C, D) or names such as Superior or Prime, depending on the grading agency. Submit a Review Submit a Complaint BBB Reason for Ratings.

Read real customer ratings and reviews or write your own. Composite wood products Composite wood products, such as plywood and oriented strandboar also carrygrade stamps. Shop our wide selection of quality construction and hardwood lumber and save BIG! Lumber Liquidators, rated stars.

AC ratings also indicate that the product has been tested for the effects of furniture legs, castors, and swelling along its edges. When a laminate flooring product has a rating , then it has passed all of the test criteria. Learn about lumber grades below. They have a nice picture guide. Clearness is measured in large rectangular areas called cuttings.

Prices are now more in line with other flooring outlets (but at least not more expensive). Product quality is a perennial problem. But for all its issues, it is still the go to place when you are serious about hardwood.

TimberStrand LSL is a green building solution as well. ANSI Standard Development APA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop national consensus standards for engineered wood products.