Timber Grading for Non-Structural Purposes

These early Swedish grades were based on the appearance of each piece, and lines of demarcation between grades were drawn on the basis of the character and position of the admitted defects. The rules were applied to lumber regardless of potential use. Use of these rules spread during the nineteenth century. For example, these grading rules accompanied Swedish loggers to the United States and followed them as they progressed west. 

The grading rules described and discussed relate to those applicable in various parts of the United States. They are illustrative of the principles that apply. Other countries adopt different rules and the terminology may be different, but the underlying principles are generally the same. 

As with hardwoods, here softwood lumber is sorted at the sawmill into factory or shop grades on the basis that these boards can be recut to yield a certain proportion of smaller pieces of specific quality and size. This lumber provides the basic raw material for many secondary manufacturing operations. 

Minimum % of area for the grade is K3.3 o, i,c.E units No, I Common grade 

The grading requirements of yard timber relate speeifieally to the eonstruction uses intended, and little or no further grading oeeurs onee the pieee leaves the mill. Yard timber falls into two categories, Seleet and Common, and eneompass those produets in whieh appearance is of primary importanee struetural integrity, while sometimes important, is a secondary feature. 

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