SPF is available in three different grades: 4-Square - The absolute best appearance and grade . Our kiln-dried SPF lumber is ideal for a wide range of residential and commercial construction. Visually graded structural lumber is inspected for a range of natural and drying characteristics, and manufacturing imperfections that affect structural performance and appear-ance. Lumber Grades Dimension lumber is nominal, 2” to 4” thick lumber graded by visual inspection or machine grading. It is lightweight, strong and easy to cut and nail. The following illustrates visual grades of Select Structural (Sel Str), No. 1, No. The NLGA Grade Rule incorporates the National Grading Rule for Dimension Lumber (NGR). SPF is the gold standard for framing lumber. By its nature, wood is not of uniform consistency and therefore will contain defects that impact the appearance of the lumber that is created from the wood material, and which may impact the structural characteristics as well. MSR 1650 - A combination of strength and appearance #2&btr - The standard cost-effective grade. No. It is a favorite among carpenters and homebuilders. 2 and No. The NGR establishes standard lumber grades and grade names for all commercial species of dimension lumber, thus assuring lumber users of uniform design criteria and performance throughout Canada and the U.S. No. SPF Framing Lumber. The SPF J Grade is a preferred and common brand in the Japan Market, and it is regarded as the highest grade of dimension lumber. It's straighter than green lumber and certain other species. NLGA is the only recognized rules writing body for lumber grades and standards in Canada. Structural engineers also use these grades when designing structures. It's lightweight and easier to work with. Lumber of this grade has strength and stiffness values that make it suitable for use as a vertical member of a wall. Lumber grades are important because inspectors, builders and other professionals use these grades to ensure the right grade of lumber is used where it’s required. The NLGA Gr Stud Grade Lumber. 3 Lumber. SPF J Grade Lumber. Knots are allowed of any quality, as long as they are well spaced. Framing professionals prefer it because: It's more stable and less prone to crook or bow on the job site. These softwood species, Spruce, Pine, and Fir have the same characteristics. What Different Types of Lumber Grades Mean. When using SPF lumber for your projects, buy about 25 percent more material than you need to allow for waste, and take the wood back to your shop and allow it to acclimatize to the local surroundings before using it in your projects. It's easy to cut, nail and screw. Lumber is a wood product, sawn and shaped from timbers of harvested trees. In other words, a stud. The grade has minimal defects, and it is white and bright in appearance. 3 lumber allows for more defects—as long as they don’t go all the way through the wood. This grade permits characteristics such as stain, large knots, very large holes, unsound wood, massed pitch, heavy shake, splits and wane in varying stages or degrees singly or in combination. Lumber of this grade is intended for use in construction where lumber of a higher grade is not needed. Additionally, building codes also require graded lumber to be used in different types of framing.