Different Grades of Treated Lumber
Treated lumber is lumber cut to a specific sizes and shapes and dried in a particular way. One of the most-used forms of treated lumber is plywood. There are many different grades of plywood and lumber based on the appearance and usefulness of the wood. Hardwoods have the most categories for quality, based on the clarity of the cuts. Softwoods have four categories, based on the number of knots and repairs in the wood. Does this Spark an idea?
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FAS and F1F Hardwood
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The FAS grade of wood is the highest quality of hardwood plywood sheets. FAS stands for "first and seconds," which means both sides of the wood are suitable to use for high-quality furniture and other wood pieces. The FAS boards are clear cut and must measure 4 inches by 5 feet or 7 feet by 3 inches or larger. F1F is a board that has one good side that meets FAS standards. F1F boards must measure 4 inches by 8 feet or larger. The other side of F1F boards must meet No. 1 common grade standards.
Prime and Consul Select Hardwood
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Select grades are similar to F1F boards but come in smaller sizes. The minimum size for select wood is 4 inches by 6 feet. The select grade is divided into prime or consul grades. Prime select boards are similar to FAS but are typically exported out of the country. Consul select grades are a slightly nicer cut of wood than No. 1 common boards but are not good enough to make the F1F grade.
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No. 1 and 2A Common Hardwood
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No. 1 common hardwoods are also called cabinet grades of wood because they measure 3 inches by 4 feet --- the typical size of a U.S. cabinet. No. 1 commons can include cuttings with select quality, but they do not match all requirements. No. 2A common wood is known as the economy grade. This plywood has the least clear cut of all hardwoods and is the least expensive plywood. If one side of the board is 2A common, it cannot be classified as any other type of wood.
A and B Softwood
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Softwoods are harder to work with than hardwoods because of the variation in the grain and chance of splitting. A and B softwoods are the most expensive and beautiful softwood plywood sheets, and the knots are preremoved. Some lumber companies also fill in any gaps or uneven portions of the wood with wood putty. These boards come in all different sizes.
C and D Softwood
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C and D softwood is rougher and less beautiful than A or B softwoods. The wood is often not pretty enough to use as a main wood for furniture but works well under a veneer. The wood may have some knots and splits which you have to remove or fill before you can use the plywood sheets. The minimum size for C and D grade softwood varies.
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References
- Photo Credit lumber image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
