For every great craftsman, a great piece starts with the proper materials. Whether it is building custom furniture and kitchen cabinets or doing architectural millwork, knowing your hardwood grade can make the difference in making a project great.

Knowing Hardwood Grades

When it comes to hardwood lumber, the NHLA does some pretty specific grading. Here’s what you need to know:

FAS grade, the highest quality grade for first and second-grade lumber. These boards have to be at least 6 inches wide and 8-16 feet in length, with 83.3 percent of the board’s surface area clear on its poor side. The minimum cut size must be 4″ x 5′ or 3″ x 7′. This truly premium board is best applied to high-class furniture and architectural details.

FAS One Face (F1F) has the same grading rules as FAS on the better face, but the reverse face need only meet Select grade requirements. Boards must still be a minimum 6 inches wide. This grade provides great value for applications where one face will show.

Select grade lumber needs a minimum width of 4 inches, with lengths from 6 to 16 feet. The better face shall be 83.3% clear in cuttings 4 inches wide by 2 feet long, or 3 inches wide by 3 feet long. This grade is ideal for cabinet doors, smaller furniture pieces, and trim work when you want an excellent appearance without the need for the longer lengths of FAS.

Why Buy Our Premium Hardwood?

1. Our lumber is kiln-dried to industry-standard moisture content levels:

• 6-8% for interior finishing lumber and furniture-grade hardwoods
• Each board is checked with a moisture meter before it ships
• Our climate-controlled storage facility keeps moisture levels stable

2. Professional Grading: Each board is meticulously graded by a qualified lumber professional who knows what a fine woodworker needs.

3. Selective Sourcing: We work directly with sustainably managed forestry operations to guarantee quality and environmental sensitivity. All our lumber is tracked from the forest to our facility, and complete chain-of-custody documentation is available.

Making Your Choice

When choosing a hardwood for your next project, you will want to consider the following:

• The project’s requirements – structural or decorative
• The visible surface area
• Budget considerations
• Working properties of various species

Our team can help balance these considerations and find the perfect material for your specific needs.

The Real Cost Difference

While premium hardwood may cost more upfront, the seasoned woodworker knows it is much more economical in the long run. After all, higher grade lumber translates to:

• Less waste due to defects
• Fewer rejected pieces
• Less labor time working around knots and imperfections
• Better finished results

Your Next Step

Stop by the shop to see and feel for yourself the difference quality hardwood makes. We stock FAS lumber with some select and common grades. Let our knowledgeable staff help you select the perfect materials for your next masterpiece.

Remember, the finish product is only as good as the materials one starts with. Invest in good hardwood, and let your craftsmanship shine through.