American Hardwood Lumber Grades

Worldwide hardwood lumber producers grade their lumber assuring downstream consumers of the lumber of the lumber s quality for the intended use.

American hardwood lumber grades.

The illustrated guide to american hardwood lumber grades. The nhla grading system which is used by buyers and sellers of hardwood lumber describes the amount of usable clear material in a board. It is necessary to consult with your supplier as to the exact specifications being applied to these export grade names. Hardwood lumber grades and grading rules have been established and are governed by the national hardwood lumber association nhla.

The highest grade boards are long wide and free of defects. 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. The common grades are likely to be most suitable for the cabinet industry most furniture parts and flooring. Explore the use of the common grades to achieve the most value considering lumber cost and yield.

Color sorting in addition to sorting for grades or selecting specific widths various species are commercially sold at an added value. Multiply the sm by the thickness 2 and the bf is 8. The simplified process of determining hardwood lumber grades. This guide provides a simplified explanation of the nhla grading system which is the national standard for the u s.

The illustrated guide to american hardwood lumber grades. Reference untreated wood program. The board below is a 2 thick 6 1 4 wide and 8 long. They were established over 100 years ago by the newly formed national hardwood lumber association nhla.

Respectfully between export grade names of prime and comsel with the nhla grades of fas and no. Treated wood program. For complete details the grading rule book can be purchased from the national hardwood lumber association. Put simply lumber grading serves quality assurance needs.

The illustrated guide to american hardwood lumber grades 03 example of sm and bf. Non manufactured wood packing nm program. 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. American hardwood lumber council.

The grading system is based therefore on the measurable percentage of clear wood that is defect free for each of the grades. Hardwood lumber industry and forms the basis for export grading.