Red Cedar Lumber Grade Standards

Red cedar lumber suitable for exterior building may not offer the beauty of finish needed for fine cabinetry or other interior work, according to the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. Different grades of wood help builders buy the right materials for their needs.

Grades

Red cedar grades come in two categories, clear and knotty. Clear grades range from D Clear upward through C Clear, B Clear and A Clear to the highest grade, Clear Heart. Knotty grades range from Standard and Better upward through Proprietary and Quality Knotty to Select Knotty.

Characteristics

Builders assign red cedar to different grades based on how many natural wood imperfections they show. Clear Heart generally appears completely flawless in its finish, for instance, while the grades underneath allow progressively more natural characteristics. Knotty grades categorize the cedar based on the size of the knots or holes.

Applications

Builders choose the grade of red cedar lumber that best suits a particular project. They may choose Clear Heart grade, for instance, in cases where a fine-blemish free finish takes top priority, while using D Clear grade as more of a general utility wood.

References

• Western Red Cedar Lumber Association: Board & Batten - Grades