Appearance grading

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Appearance grading of softwoods

according to standard NF EN 1611-1 (document available on request)

Sawn softwood grading is standardized in Europe according to standard NF EN 1611-1 and its amendment A1 (see the technical datasheet on appearance grading published by FNB)". This standard applies to fir, Norway spruce, pine, Douglas fir and larch.
Appearance grading is based on visual criteria. It depends directly on the frequency and size of the various imperfections of the wood and its biological alterations, observed on two or four sides.

The appearance grading of sawn European softwood is based on visual criteria related to the appearance of the surfaces and edges according to the type, size and location of the imperfections, cutting imperfections and alterations. To classify a part, the four sides of the part are examined and assigned a grade according to the permitted limits of each grade for the different criteria. The grades are 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

GRADE 0
GRADE 1
GRADE 2
GRADE 3
GRADE 4

Main uses :

Interior construction, carpentry, molding, battens, furniture.
Fir
Douglas Fir
Maritime Pine - Scots Pine
Size of healthy sound knots
10% WIDTH +
10 MM
Knots accepted

Healthy and dead
Surface: number of knots in the most afflicted linear meter

2
Edge: number of knots in the most afflicted linear meter.

1
Bark pocket

Not admitted
Resinated wood

Not admitted
Rot

Not admitted
Discoloration

Not admitted
Insect damage

Not admitted
Wane

Not admitted
Pith

3 mm (20% LENGTH)
Through split

Not admitted

Main uses :

Interior construction, carpentry, molding, battens, furniture.
Fir
Douglas Fir
Maritime Pine - Scots Pine
Size of healthy sound knots
10% WIDTH +
10 MM
Knots accepted
Dead or partly sound: 10% width + 10mm to bark pocket, rot: 10% width
Surface: number of knots in the most afflicted linear meter.
4
10% width + 50mm
Edge: number of knots in the most afflicted linear meter
2
Bark pocket

2 (100 mm maxi.)
Resinated wood

Not admitted
Rot


Not admitted
Discoloration


Not admitted
Insect damage


Not admitted
Wane

5 mm (20% length)
Pith

Admitted
Through split

Not admitted

Main uses :

Interior construction, structural timber, stick-frame roofs, beams, planed wood.
Fir
Douglas Fir
Maritime Pine - Scots Pine
Size of healthy sound knots
10% WIDTH +
10 MM
Knots accepted

10% width + 20mm to bark pocket, rot: 10% width + 15mm
Surface: number of knots in the most afflicted linear meter
6
Edge: number of knots in the most afflicted linear meter
4
Bark pocket

2 (200 mm maxi.)
Resinated wood

30% surface
Rot

Not admitted
Discoloration

Admitted (10% surface)
Insect damage

Not admitted
Wane

10 mm (30% length)
Pith

Admitted
Through split

Not admitted

Main uses :

Packaging, crates, pallets.
Fir
Douglas Fir
Maritime Pine - Scots Pine
Size of healthy sound knotS
10% WIDTH +
10 MM
Knots accepted

10% width + 50mm to bark pocket, rot: 10% width + 50mm
Surface : number of knots in the most afflicted linear meter.
Not limited
Edge : number of knots in the most afflicted linear meter
Not limited
Bark pocket

4 (300 mm maxi.)
Resinated wood

50% surface
Rot

Not admitted
Discoloration

50% surface
Insect damage

Black : 15% surface
Wane

20 mm (50% length)
Pith

Admitted
Through split

20% length

Main uses :

Formwork.
There are no photographs to illustrate this grade because it corresponds to any sawn timber that cannot be classed in a higher grade.

More information on the measurements

Download our measurement information