Grades

Six grades, graded by hand.

Every board is inspected by our grading team and sorted to one consistent standard. From extra-wide UWP and clear Super-Prime to rustic BC, choose the grade that fits the job.

Grade

UWP

Our highest grade. Super-Prime in extra-wide boards, 230 mm and wider.

Ultra-wide Prime. Super-Prime boards selected in widths of 230 mm and more: no sapwood, practically no knots, and wide, clean surfaces without glue lines.

Width: 230 mm and wider
Clear faces: Three to four
Sapwood: None
Knots: Practically knot-free. Only occasional pin knots up to 10 mm.
Heart: Not allowed
Worm holes: Not allowed
Cracks: Occasional surface cracks on one face. End cracks up to 100 mm.
Straightness: Max. 5 mm side bend per metre
Typical use: Table tops, stair treads, wide panels, wide-plank flooring.

Illustration

Grade

Super-Prime

Clear on three to four faces. No sapwood, practically no knots.

Square-edged boards clear of defects on three to four faces, with no sapwood and practically no knots. For buyers who want the highest yield from every board. Runs straight into any production line.

Clear faces: Three to four
Sapwood: None
Knots: Practically knot-free. Only occasional pin knots up to 10 mm.
Heart: Not allowed
Worm holes: Not allowed
Cracks: Occasional surface cracks on one face. End cracks up to 100 mm.
Straightness: Max. 5 mm side bend per metre
Typical use: Staircases, fine furniture, windows and doors, visible joinery.

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Grade

AB

Clear on at least one face. No limits on the back.

Graded on the better face, which is clear; the back face is not graded. Ideal where only one face is seen: tables, flooring, cladding and mouldings.

Clear faces: At least one
Sapwood: Max. 20% of width on the better face
Pin knots up to 10 mm: Allowed
Sound knots: Better face: up to 20 mm one per metre, up to 40 mm one per board, each on 20% of boards
Dead knots: Better face: up to 20 mm, one per board on 20% of boards
Back face: No limits
Heart: Not allowed
Worm holes: Not allowed
Cracks: Occasional surface cracks on one face. End cracks up to 100 mm.
Straightness: Max. 5 mm side bend per metre
Typical use: Tables, flooring, cladding, mouldings, furniture fronts.

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Grade

FAS

Between AB and Joinery. Mostly clear, some character.

A step below AB. The better face is largely clear, with a little more sapwood and a few more small knots allowed. A dependable, economical grade for production work.

Clear faces: One, largely clear
Sapwood: Max. 25% of board width
Pin knots up to 10 mm: Allowed
Sound knots: Up to 40 mm, limited number on the better face
Dead knots: Up to 20 mm, limited
Heart: Not allowed
Worm holes: Not allowed
Cracks: Occasional surface cracks. End cracks up to 100 mm.
Straightness: Max. 5 mm side bend per metre
Typical use: Furniture components, joinery, flooring, cabinetry.

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Grade

Joinery

Character boards at a sensible price.

Well-presented timber for a wide range of uses. Includes boards with many small knots for full-length character pieces, and boards with larger knots and clear sections between, for cutting into shorter clear parts.

Sapwood: Max. 30% of board width
Pin knots up to 10 mm: Allowed
Sound knots: Up to 40 mm, allowed
Dead knots: Allowed
Heart: Traces allowed if they can be machined out
Worm holes: Max. one per running metre
Cracks: Occasional surface cracks on both faces. End cracks up to 100 mm.
Straightness: Max. 5 mm side bend per metre
Typical use: Furniture, staircases, panels, windows and doors.

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Grade

BC

Rustic. Knots and heart are part of the look.

Our rustic grade. Knots and heart are not treated as defects, giving the strong, natural character of rustic oak at the best value. Open knots larger than 40 mm are excluded.

Sapwood: Allowed, but no face fully sapwood
Pin knots up to 10 mm: Unlimited
Sound knots: Up to 40 mm, unlimited
Dead knots: Allowed. No open knots over 40 mm.
Heart: Allowed
Worm holes: Max. one per board
Straightness: Max. 10 mm side bend per metre
Typical use: Rustic furniture, flooring, tables, benches, doors.

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Grade descriptions are a summary of our grading standard. Detailed rules and sample photos of current stock are available on request.

Not sure which grade?

Tell us what you make. We will recommend the grade that gives you the best yield for the price.

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