Specification

Lumber Grades
And Uses
There are over thirty different grades of
redwood lumber including general
purpose grades and specialized grades
for a single use. There is a grade of
redwood for almost any application
suitable for wood. Redwood is graded
by appearance and durability, with
criteria defined by the Redwood
Inspection Service.
Excellence of appearance is a major
factor in the grading of redwood. Clear-
ness (freedom from knots) is the deter-
minant for the highest grades. Other
grades are categorized by number, size
and nature of knots and the presence of
other characteristics such as stains,
crook or manufacturing defects that
may occur.
For durability and resistance against
insects and decay—redwood is graded
by its color. Reddish-brown heartwood
from the inner portion of the tree contains
extractives that render it resistant to decay.
The cream-colored sapwood that devel-
ops in the outer growth layer of the tree
does not possess the heartwood’s resis-
tance to decay and insects.
As a rule of thumb, all heartwood grades
of redwood will have the word “Heart” in
the grade name.
The architectural grades, Clear All
Heart, Clear, Heart Clear, Heart B and B
Grade, are normally sold kiln dried (pre-
shrunk and stress free) for the finest
exterior and interior architectural uses.
No other wood equals these finish grades
in beauty and dimensional stability. They
are the choice grades for siding, panel-
ing, trim and cabinetry where attractive-
ness and tight joinery are desired.
The garden grades, Deck Heart,
Construction Heart, Deck Common,
Construction Common, Merchantable
Heart and Merchantable, are offered
seasoned or unseasoned. They are
frequently specified for decks, fences and
garden structures where knots or other
characteristics have little or no effect.
For uses where the wood will be on or
near soil, such as posts, bulkheads or
patio grids, it’s essential to use one of
the durable, heartwood grades—Clear
All Heart, Heart B, Deck Heart, Con-
struction Heart or Merchantable Heart.
For construction above ground where
there is little danger of insect or decay
problems, one of the sapwood con-
taining grades—Clear, B Grade, Deck
Common, Construction Common or
Merchantable—will serve handsomely.