Use lumber grading to determine the quality of wood

Lumber grading is important so that you know what grade of lumber that you are using for your wood projects, whether you are making a set of shelves or renovating your kitchen. In most cases hardwood lumber is used for furniture and cabinets, while softwood lumber is used for more structural carpentry such as framing. However, there are some exceptions to this rule and this is why lumber is graded so that you are aware of the exceptions. Lumber grading is done with the premise that hardwood boards will be cut up and glued back together again. At the same time it is assumed that softwood lumber will be used in its full size. When you are choosing wood for your project make sure that you determine first what lumber grading is going to produce the best results for you final outcome.

Hardwood lumber grades

Hardwood lumber grading is based on the number of clear cuts that a piece of lumber will have on its worst part. The more face cuts that there are the better the grade of the wood. Grades are set up by the US Natl. Hardwood Lumber Assoc..

These grades are:

• Firsts
• Seconds
• Selects
• No.1-Common
• No.2A-Common
• No.2B-Common
• Sound Wormy
• No.3A-Common
• No.3B-Common

These grades can be combined. You can find a clear description of hardwood lumber grading at your local lumberyard.

Grading chalk

Lumber grading chalk is used to mark the different wood and keep track of lumber grading which is important for you as a woodworker to clearly understand when you are doing your wood projects.

Grading is a good system of allowing you to use the right type of wood as per what project you are working on. You won’t want to choose a hardwood with a low grade when you are building a cabinet unit for your dining room. The way you know you are using the right type of lumber for you project is to use lumber grading.