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Helpful Resources



Helpful Resources

Some of the common drying designations stamped on boards are:

  • S-GRN: “Surfaced Green” Not dried, moisture content over 19%.
  • S-DRY: “Surfaced Dry” Air dried to a moisture content less than 19%.
  • KD: “Kiln Dry” Dried in a heated kiln to a moisture content less than 19%.
  • MC 15: “Moisture Content 15%” Dried to a moisture content of 15% or less.
  • HT: “Heat Treated” Heated to at least 133° Fahrenheit for 30 minutes at the board’s core to kill any insects present in the wood.

Grading Lumber

Lumber is graded based on how it will be used. The fewer knots and defects, the higher the grade and the more expensive it is. Since the price can often double from one grade to the next, it’s important not to buy a better grade of lumber than needed.

Understanding the Grade Marks on Lumber Species or Species Combinations:

Softwoods

Lumber from cone bearing trees—like pine, redwood, and fir—are grouped together as softwoods and graded based on either their strength or appearance. Knots and other defects result in a lower grade. Most two inch thick softwood lumber is graded for its strength rather than appearance.

Some of the common species abbreviations found on softwoods are:

  • D FIR: Douglas fir.
  • DOUG FIR-L: Douglas fir or larch.
  • HEM-FIR: Hemlock or fir.
  • IWP: Idaho white pine.
  • PP: Ponderosa pine.
  • PP-LP: Ponderosa pine or lodge pole pine.
  • S-P-F: Spruce, pine, or fir. (White Spruce, Engleman Spruce, Red Spruce, Black Spruce,
    Jack Pine, Lodgepole Pine, Balsam Fir, Alpine Fir)
  • SYP: Southern yellow pine. (Shortleaf Pine, Slash Pine, Longleaf Pine, and Loblolly Pine)
    WEST CDR: Western cedar.

SPF Grades


GRADE SIZE LENGHT
J grade 2x3 thru 2x12 8' thru 20' in lengths
#1 2x3 thru 2x12 8' thru 20' in lengths
#2 2x3 thru 2x12 8' thru 20' in lengths
#3 2x3 thru 2x12 8' thru 20' in lengths
Economy 2x3 thru 2x12 8' thru 20' in lengths

SYP Grades


GRADE SIZE LENGHT
#1 Prime 2x4 thru 2x12 8' thru 16' in lengths
#1 2x4 thru 2x12 8' thru 16' in lengths
#2 Prime 2x4 thru 2x12 8' thru 16' in lengths
#2 2x4 thru 2x12 8' thru 16' in lengths
(Note: we also stock 18’ and 20’ in 2x6 thru 2x12)
#3 2x4 thru 2x12 8' thru 16' in lengths

Hardwoods

Hardwoods—such as oak, cherry, walnut, and poplar—are graded based on the amount of clear material that can be obtained from the board. Since they are often sold rough, hardwoods are usually not stamped.

Hardwood Gradesfrom best to worst include:

FAS: Shorthand for “First and Seconds”. FAS is the highest grade of hardwood lumber.
FAS 1-Face (abbreviation: F1F): A “Select” piece of lumber which is six inches and wider.

Select: A No. 1 Common piece of lumber (the poorer side of the wood piece is assigned as No. 1 Common grade) and the reverse side (the better side) grades FAS. The price of Selects and 1-Face is usually the same as FAS. Often, Select grade lumber is used in the Northern U.S., while 1-Face is used in the South.

  • No. 1 Common is the standard furniture grade lumber and provides a good selection of long, medium and short cuttings at a reasonable price.
  • No. 2A Common (also known as No. 2 Common) is the standard grade for cabinets, millwork, and other uses requiring medium to short cuttings.
  • No. 2B Common is the same as No. 2A Common, except that stain and other sound defects are admitted in the clear cuttings. It is an excellent grade for painting.
  • No. 3A Common is often combined with No. 3B Common, and the combination is sold as No. 3 Common, which is widely used for flooring and pallets.
  • No. 3B Common is graded on the basis of sound cuttings rather than clear cuttings. It is widely used for pallets and crates.

Sales Terms

  • C&F(CNF orCFR):"Cost and Freight": Seller would be responsible for ocean freight and costs of discharge at destination port,but not the cost of insurance.
  • CIF( Cost,Insurance,Freight): Seller is responsible for paying ocean freight,insurance and costs up to discharge at destination port.
  • FOB (Free on Board): In this case,the seller is responsible for all expenses up to and including loading the cargo on the vessel while the buyer is responsible for paying the freight rate.

Shipping Terms

  • Destination THC Collect( DHC Coll): The buyer shall pay for the shipping line's terminal handling charges for the destination terminal at the destination.
  • Destination THC Prepaid(DHC ppd/inc): In this case, the freight rate includes the cost of terminal handling fees at the discharge port and is prepaid at the origin by the shipper.
  • Destination THC N/A(DHC N/A): There are no terminal handling charges applicable for the destination terminal.
  • Door delivery,Including THC: In this case, the freight rate includes the cost of cargo being delivered to the buyer's address, including discharge port handling expenses.
  • Free Out : The receiver at the destination pays all expenses for the port operations and also the charges for discharging cargo from the vessel at the destination.
  • Full Liner/Liner Out:The freight rate includes all discharge charges from the vessel to the port . The receiver however is responsible for paying the local port charges directly to the port authorities ,the carrier does not interfere or collect them.
  • CY/CY: (Container Yard/Container Yard) Freight rate includes costs from origin port to destination port ,and does not include local container loading expenses at either the origin or the destination.
  • Door-to- Door: The freight rate also includes the cost of picking up cargo at the origin warehouse ,to container delivery at receiver's final address.

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