Why are there different grades of lumber?
A. The purpose of grades is to maintain a standard, so that lumber of a given grade can be used for the same purpose, regardless of the manufacturer. Dimension lumber (nominal 2″ and thicker) is graded for it’s strength, while boards (under 2″) are graded for their appearance. Most of the quality dimension lumber in our area is from the west coast and graded under the auspices of the Western Wood Products Association. There are different grade names and grade standards for boards depending upon the species of the wood and the regional association responsible for setting the standards.
