| In this article I will not go into explaining the rules of | | | | Hardwood lumber does not have a system of |
| grading hardwood or softwood lumber as they are | | | | stamps and symbols indicating to the consumer what |
| very complicated and lengthy. I will list the grades | | | | grade of lumber it is. The grade is determined by |
| that are sold, the dimensions that are available and | | | | how much clear surface {knot free, clear cuttings} of |
| the ways retailers price and sell lumber. | | | | area is on the worst face side. It is almost always |
| Hardwood Lumber Grades | | | | expressed by a certain percentage and is called the |
| In 1897 the National Hardwood Lumber Association | | | | yield. The thickness {edges} are never used in |
| {NHLA} was established to regulate hardwood lumber | | | | determining the grade, only the two face sides of |
| grading. Hardwood lumber grading does not require | | | | the lumber. There have been only minute changes in |
| having a license to grade or even to be certified. | | | | the rules of the NHLA since the 1930's. |