Wood Construction + Design Tools

Lumber Grades + Design Values

Structural framing products are graded for their strength and other physical properties, as opposed to appearance products, which are graded for their aesthetic properties. Industrial products include a combination of both structural and non-structural properties.

The American Lumber Standard Committee lumber program, operating under the Board of Review, currently has 31 accredited independent third-party agencies headquartered throughout the United States and Canada. Each of these agencies operates under one or more of the seven sets of grading rules certified by the Board of Review as conforming to the American Softwood Lumber Standard PS 20.

 

Stacks of softwood building lumber at construction site

Appearance

Understanding lumber grades will help ensure you meet design expectations. Below are resources for species-specific appearance lumber grades.

Douglas Fir

Western Wood Products Association

Eastern White Pine

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association

Hem Fir

Western Wood Products Association

Ponderosa Pine

Western Wood Products Association

Southern Pine

Southern Forest Products Association

Southern Pine Inspection Bureau

Cross-species Resources

Western Wood Products Association

Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar Lumber Association

Structural

Learn more about structural lumber grades with these resources.

Douglas Fir

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association

Western Wood Products Association

Hem Fir

Western Wood Products Association

Ponderosa Pine

Western Wood Products Association

Southern Pine

Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association

Southern Pine Inspection Bureau

Cross-species Resources

West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau

Western Wood Products Association

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