Lumber grading is a process by which a particular piece of lumber is evaluated using a specific set of standards. These standards can be set by the mill, the customer, or a third party.

Structural Grading
The U.S. lumber industry has developed a set of industry-wide standards that ensure the structural integrity of different sizes and types of lumber. These standards are monitored by regional bureaus that train graders and issue grading stamps and certificates.

New lumber is given a grade stamp that indicates it has been graded. Reclaimed wood, while graded by the same standards, is accompanied by a grade certificate. Seasoning, checks, knots, bolt holes, nail holes, notches and other character marks are not specifically excluded from structurally graded wood.

As a member of the West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau, TerraMai is qualified to provide a structural grading certificate for our timber and lumber packages. This level of structural grading is only needed when required by a municipality in projects where wood is being used structurally. Ask your project engineer or contractor if you need structural grading. Be sure to specify that you need grading services when you request a bid so that we can plan your order correctly.

West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau
PO Box 23145
Portland OR 97281
Tel: (503) 639-0651
Fax: (503) 684-8928
Email: info@wclib.org

Visual Grading
TerraMai applies visual grading to non-structural orders based on the needs of the customer and the use of the wood product. As a customer, it is important to think about what visual qualities you want in a lumber or timber package before placing your order.

Sructurally graded wood often contains seasoning checks, knots, bolt holes, nail holes, notches and other character marks. Some people want to maximize these signs of their wood's history, others prefer to minimize them. Our sales staff can talk to you about the marks specific to the wood that will be used for your order so that they match the aesthetics of your project.