#lumber grades

A lumber mill is a perfect source for specialized lumber cuts and hard-to-find material. For custom countertops, restoration projects, and green construction, choosing the right lumber mill can take a lot of the worry out of getting the job done. But how do you know when you have found the right lumber mill? The Lumber Baron has a few tips to help you make an informed decision.

Knowledge

An in-depth knowledge of lumber is a critical factor. This can be especially important for projects involving reclaimed lumber where you want the history of the lumber as well as a dependable quality of material to work with. We understand the complexities of lumber at The Lumber Baron and work with our customers to provide them with the best material for every project.

Selection

The success of your project depends on using the right type and grade of material. Some jobs call for a bit of edge sapwood, for example, while others are better suited to the high density of heartwood. The best lumber mill will stock a variety of lumber grades and have the capacity to custom mill lumber for special sizes and applications.

Service

The best lumber mill can do more than cut and sell lumber. They can also help you determine the best cuts for your job, refinish and mill the lumber to meet exacting specifications, and deliver the lumber to your job site. Some lumber yards only offer a choice of what they have in stock, while the best one for your project can go the extra mile and custom mill to meet your needs.

Experience

The experience of the lumber mill you choose will affect the final outcome of your project. The Lumber Baron is a perfect example of this, with 40 years of experience in the industry. In that time, we have developed close ties with loggers and building contractors alike, and we have worked hard to build our reputation as an industry leader serving the Bay area.

The Lumber Baron offers Redwood lumber in 5 distinct grades. Each grade indicates a specific quality or type of wood, and applies to particular traits of the lumber. This includes the color of the wood itself, and the number and size of any knots found in the wood. The grade of the lumber you purchase will affect the cost of the material, what type of construction it is best suited for, and the overall durability of the lumber once it has been installed.

Clear All Heart

Sometimes abbreviated to “CAH” or referred to as “Yellow” because of its yellowish coloring, this is the highest quality of redwood available. This grade has no visible knots, and any minor defects will be limited to the inward face of the material. CAH redwood is perfect for highly visible, external construction.

Clear Heart Fascia

Also called “Red,” or “Fascia,” CHF may contain a small number of knots on the reverse side, but the face will be clear. This grade offers a reddish color, and may exhibit a small amount of edge sapwood. In applications where only the face is visible, this grade is very similar to - and may be mistaken for - the higher CAH grade.

Super Select Heart

Known as “Super,” or even referred to as “Double Green,” this is redwood’s median grade. Material in this category may contain some knots, but none of them may be more than 1-½ inches in diameter. There will be no more than 2 such knots on a piece of lumber measuring 6 inches wide and up to 14 feet in length, and no more than 3 knots in lengths up to 20 feet in length. On pieces 4 inches thick or more, more visible knots may be present, but they must be solid and tight. Edge sapwood may be present, but will not be abundant.

Select Heart

Often called “Select,” and occasionally described as “Single Green,” this grade of redwood may contain edge sapwood on some pieces. It allows for tight knots of up to 2 inches in diameter on pieces up to 6 inches wide, as long as the knots are distributed rather than found in close proximity. Cuts wider than 6 inches may contain more knots or contain more edge sapwood than the 3 higher grades.

Construction Heart

“Con Heart,” or sometimes called “Blue,” is the most economical grade of redwood available from The Lumber Baron. The 6 inch wide section in this category may contain knots up to 2-½ inches in diameter, and the knots may be more closely located than on other grades. Con Heart describes a less precise type of redwood lumber, including loose knots, heart center, and will have more edge sapwood than any of the other grades.