Firsts and Seconds (FAS)The best and most expensive grade. Boards 6" and wider, 8' and longer. Yields 83-1/3 percent of clear face cuttings with minimum sizes of 4" x 5', or 3" x 7'. Suitable for fine furniture, cabinetry and applications where clear, wide boards are needed.

Selects
Face side is FAS, back side is No. 1 Common. Boards are 4" and wider , 6' and longer. Yields 83-1/3 percent clear face cuttings with minimum sizes of 4" x 5', or 3" x 7'. A cost effective substitute for FAS when only one good face is required.

No. 1 Common
A typical thrift or "shop" grade. Boards are 3" and wider, 4' and longer. Yields 66-2/3 percent clear face cuttings with minimum sizes of 4" x 2', or 3" x 3'. Provides good value, especially if relatively small pieces can be used.

No. 2A & 2B Common
Boards are 3" and wider, 4' and longer. Yields 50 percent clear face cuttings 3" and wider by 2' and longer. Suitable for some paneling and flooring applications.

Sound Wormy
Same requirements as #1 Common and better but wormholes, limited sound knots and other imperfections allowed. Not commonly available.

No. 3A Common
Boards are 3" and wider, 4' and longer. Yields 33-1/3 percent clear face cuttings 3" and wider by 2' and longer. Economical choice for rough utility applications:, crates, palettes, fencing, etc.

No. 3B Common
Boards are 3" and wider, 4' and longer. Yields 25 percent clear face cuttings 1-1/2" and wider by 2' and longer. Applications same as No. 3A Common.

 

---Softwood Grading

No. 1 (Construction)
Moderate-sized tight knots. Paints well. Used for siding, cornice, shelving, paneling, some furniture.

No. 2 (Standard)
Knots larger and more numerous. Paints fair. Similar uses as No. 1.

No. 3 (Utility)
Splits and knotholes present. Does not take paint well. Used for crates, sheathing, sub-flooring, small furniture parts.

No. 4 (Economy)
Numerous splits and knotholes. Large waste areas. Does not take paint well. Used for sheathing, sub flooring, concrete form work.

No. 5 (Economy)
Larger waste areas and coarser defects. Not really paintable. Applications are similar to No. 5.

A Select
No knots, splits, or other visible defects. Used for fine furniture, exposed cabinetry, trim, flooring

B Select
A few, small defects but nearly perfect. Used for fine furniture, exposed cabinetry, trim, flooring.

C Select
Small tight knots. May be nearly perfect on one side. Used for most furniture, shelving, some trim and flooring.

D Select
More numerous "pin" knots and other small blemishes. May be used for some furniture, shelving, some trim and flooring.

 

---Plywood Ratings

Veneer Grade Characteristics

N

Smooth natural finish select heartwood or sapwood veneer, free of open defects. This grade does not allow more than six wood-only repairs per 4 ft. x 8 ft. panel. Grain and color must be well matched.

A

Smooth paint-grade veneer; may be used natural for less demanding applications. No more than 18 repairs per 4 ft. x 8 ft. panel.

B

Solid surface veneer. This grade allows tight knots (no more than 1 inch. in diameter), round repair plugs and shims. Permits repairs of minor splits.

C-Plugged Upgraded "C" veneer

Splits limited to 1/8 inch max. width. No knotholes or borer holes permitted larger than 1/4 x 1/2 inch. Synthetic repairs permitted, as well as some limited broken grain.

C

This veneer can have tight knots up to 1 1/2 inches in diameter, and knotholes up to 1 inch across the grain, or up to 1 1/2 inches if the total width of knots and knotholes is within specified limits. Wood and/or synthetic repairs allowed. Discoloration and sanding defects which to not impair strength are allowed.

D D

This grade allows knots and knotholes up to 2 1/2 inches width across the grain as well as limited splits and stitches, and is limited to interior or Exposure 1 panels.

---Exposure Ratings

Exterior

Fully waterproof bond. Designed for applications where panels are subject to permanent ongoing exposure to moisture.

Exterior - Exposure 1

Fully waterproof bond, but not intended for permanent ongoing exposure to moisture.

Exterior - Exposure 2

Interior type with intermediate glue. Intended for protected applications where only slight exposure to moisture is likely to occur.

Interior2

Designed for interior applications only.

Article provided by Chris Messier - Messman