Grading

Since our woodproducts are reclaimed (all exept new logs) and look weathered and old on the outside, questions about wood grading arise: 'can this wood be used structurally'? Can I use it for porch posts? Ceiling beams? Is it load bearing? Can I use it for new construction? Answer is: yes, after regrading the lumber can be recertified by a professional woodgrader..

Look at the picture to the right and notice how clean and sound the wood is on the inside. This piece of Doug Fir was reclaimed from an Alaskan Salmon Cannery. This old growth tree was cut around the turn of the century in Washington State. The growth rings are tight, there are very few knots and no rot in this wood.
	It is of superior quality and can be re-used (after grading) for new construction. Most of the time, due to the character these beams bring to the house, they will be used in timberframe homes and in areas where they are exposed. Also because of the price of reclaimed beams one wouldn't want to make them invisible inside a wall, one would use new timber for that. To your left you see the Alaskan Salmon Cannery
These Redwood Beams were reclaimed from a Lumber Mill at California's northcoast. They were used in a French Country style mansion. See to your right both the raw product and the product in a timberframe construction.

There are as many grades of wood as there are purposes for it's use: select structural, utility, fencing, scaffolding, flooring, just to name a few. The wood grades largely depend on the strenght of the wood. Strong woods for example are : hardwoods and fir which are used for construction and floors etc. Spruce, Douglas & white fir is used for studs, and Pine is used exclusively for molding, shelving and furniture. Other woods such as willow for example is used for things that don't require alot of load bearing. Within their species properties such as knots and checks make a difference. Large ones can weaken the wood and therefor the wood receives a lower grade.

For those of you who want to learn more, www.inthewoodshop.org has a very informative page about lumber grading and selection