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Specifications & Resources

Technical Sheets • Grading Standards • Product Guidelines

1. Moisture Content (MC): Refers to the amount of water present in wood, expressed as a percentage of the wood’s oven-dry weight. It indicates how much moisture the timber contains, which affects its weight, strength, stability, and suitability for various uses.

  • Green (Fresh Cut): Green timber is wood in its freshly cut state, containing natural moisture levels that typically range from 30% to over 200%. This high moisture content includes both free water in the cell cavities and bound water within the cell walls, making the wood heavy, unstable, and unsuitable for most building uses without further drying. Because of this, green timber requires proper drying processes to reduce moisture content before it can be used effectively in construction or manufacturing.
  • AD: Air-dried timber is wood that has been naturally dried by exposure to air and weather, resulting in a typical moisture content (MC) range of 12% to 20%. This drying process is slower and the final moisture level depends on the local climate and season. Air-dried timber is commonly used for outdoor applications where slight variations in moisture content are acceptable.
  • KD: Kiln-dried timber is wood dried under controlled conditions of heat, humidity, and airflow to achieve a consistent moisture content, typically ranging from 6% to 12%, often around 8% to 10%. This faster drying process ensures more uniform moisture levels, making KD timber ideal for indoor applications such as furniture, flooring, and joinery where dimensional stability is important.
  • OD: Oven-dry timber refers to wood that has been completely dried in an oven until all moisture is removed, resulting in a moisture content (MC) of 0%. This method is used exclusively for testing and calculating the moisture content of wood and is not practical for everyday use or construction purposes.
  • HT: Heat-Treated, Timber heated to 56°C (133°F) for at least 30 minutes to kill pests; required for export under ISPM 15.
  • FSP: Fiber Saturation Point is the moisture content level, typically around 28% to 30%, at which all free water in the wood’s cell cavities has evaporated but the cell walls remain fully saturated. Below this point, the wood begins to shrink and its strength properties start to change, making FSP a critical threshold in understanding wood behavior during drying and use.
  • EMC: Equilibrium Moisture Content is the moisture level that wood naturally attains when exposed to air at a specific temperature and humidity, typically ranging from 6% to 18% depending on the environment. Wood continuously absorbs or releases moisture until it reaches EMC, which varies with climate and seasonal changes, making it a key factor in maintaining wood stability in different conditions.
  • S4S: Surfaced Four Sides, Lumber that has been planned smooth on all four faces for a uniform finish and size.
  • S2S: Surfaced Two Sides, Lumber planed on two opposite faces (top & bottom) but edges remain rough.
  • Rgh or Rough: Rough-Sawn, Timber cut to size but not planed; retains a rough texture from the saw.
  • PT: Pressure-Treated, Timber infused with preservatives under high pressure to resist rot, fungus, and insects, especially for outdoor use.
  • WPA: Wood Preservative Applied, Timber treated with chemical preservatives for decay and insect resistance.
  • STK: Select Tight Knot, Lumber with small, sound knots that are tight and structurally sound.
  • CLR: Clear, Timber with no visible knots or defects, uniform grain and color.
  • VG: Vertical Grain, Timber cut so that annual growth rings are nearly vertical, providing greater stability and uniform appearance.
  • FG: Flat Grain, Lumber where the annual rings are flat or nearly flat, showing wider grain patterns.
  • S-GRN: Surface Green, Timber surfaced (planed) before drying; may still contain high moisture content.
  • S-DRY: Surface Dry, Timber surfaced after being dried to 19% MC or less.
  • E4E: Eased Four Edges, Timber with slightly rounded edges on all four sides to make handling safer and reduce splintering.

2. Grading Standards / Common International & Regional Grading Standards: (Based on visual and structural grading), serve the purpose of defining the quality level of wood according to recognized industry systems, so buyers know what to expect.

  • Standard Grade: A mid-level wood quality that is durable and functional, ideal for applications where a perfect appearance is not essential.
  • FAS (First and Seconds): is a premium North American hardwood grading standard indicating boards that are mostly clear and free of defects.
  • FEQ (First European Quality): is a top-grade hardwood classification indicating clear, defect-free lumber with uniform color and straight grain.
  • F1F: is a step below FAS. It requires that only one face of the board meets the FAS requirements, while the reverse face must meet at least No. 1 Common grade.
  • Select / Prime Grade: Slightly lower than FAS, this grade refers to high-quality lumber with a very clear, uniform appearance and minimal knots or defects.
  • Clear Grade: is high-quality wood classification where the lumber is almost free of knots, defects, or imperfections.
  • Appearance Grade: is a wood classification focused on visual quality while allowing some minor imperfections.
  • #1 Common: is a hardwood grade that allows for some knots, color variation, and minor defects, making it suitable for applications where a balance of appearance and economy is desired.
  • #2 Common: is a hardwood grade that permits more knots, color variations, and natural imperfections, often used in applications where character and economy are prioritized over a perfectly clear appearance.
  • Select Structural: is a classification for lumber that ensures both high strength and good appearance, making it suitable for structural applications where visual quality is important.
  • Construction Grade: A structural wood grade focused on strength and stability, not appearance. It allows more knots and defects as long as they don’t affect load-bearing capacity.
  • No. 1: refers to a grade of lumber with good quality, allowing some small knots or minor defects, suitable where a decent appearance and strength are needed.
  • No. 2: refers to a grade of lumber that allows for more knots, color variations, and defects than No. 1, making it suitable for applications where strength is important but a less clear appearance is acceptable.
  • No. 3: refers to a grade of lumber that permits even more knots, defects, and color variations than No. 2, typically used for structural purposes where appearance is not critical, such as hidden construction elements.
  • C16: refers to a structural softwood grade with moderate strength (16 N/mm²), allows more knots/defects, and is suitable for general construction applications, where very high strength is not required.
  • C24: refers to a higher structural softwood grade with greater strength (24 N/mm²), fewer defects, and higher density — ideal for load-bearing structures, longer spans, and demanding construction applications.
  • Grade A: is a high-quality classification indicating mostly clear, defect-free wood with minimal knots or blemishes.
  • Grade B: refers to lumber that allows for some knots, minor defects, and slight color variations, making it suitable for interior applications where a good appearance is desired but minor imperfections are acceptable.
  • Grade C: refers to lumber that permits more knots, color variations, and natural defects than Grades A and B, typically used for applications where character and cost-effectiveness are prioritized over a flawless appearance.
  • Grade D: refers to the lowest quality grade, allows many knots, defects, and discoloration. Structurally usable but mainly for hidden, industrial, or low-appearance applications like pallets, subfloors, or crates.
  • Grade A/A: refers to lumber or plywood where both the face and back sides are of the highest quality—excellent, smooth, nearly defect-free, with very few small knots and minimal color variation.
  • Grade A/B: refers to lumber or plywood where the face side is top-quality (Grade A)—excellent, smooth, nearly defect-free—while the back side is slightly lower quality (Grade B), allowing small knots or minor imperfections.
  • Grade B/B: refers to lumber or plywood where both the face and back sides are good quality (Grade B), allowing small knots, minor streaks, or slight imperfections.
  • Grade B/BB: refers to lumber or plywood where the face side is good quality (Grade B)—small knots and minor imperfections allowed—while the back side is lower quality (Grade BB), allowing larger knots, minor splits, or more noticeable defects.
  • Grade BB/BB: refers to lumber or plywood where both the face and back sides are fair quality (Grade BB), allowing visible knots, minor splits, patches, and color variations.
  • Grade C/C: refers to lumber or plywood where both the face and back sides are low quality (Grade C), with many defects such as knots, sapwood, splits, or color variations.
  • Grade D/D: refers to lumber or plywood where both the face and back sides are the lowest quality (Grade D), with large knots, cracks, decay, and heavy defects.
  • Utility / Industrial: refers to lumber that includes pieces with many knots, defects, and color variations, generally used for non-visible structural purposes and industrial applications where appearance is not important.
  • Decking Grade: refers to lumber specifically selected for outdoor use, offering high durability and resistance to weather and wear, allowing some knots and imperfections that don’t affect its strength or performance.
  • Character / Rustic Grade: refers to lumber that features natural knots, color variations, and other imperfections that add visual interest and character.
  • Marine Grade: refers to lumber that is high-quality wood selected for superior durability, stability, and resistance to moisture and decay.
  • Common Grade: refers to lumber that includes pieces with more knots, color variations, and natural defects than higher grades, suitable for applications where appearance is less critical.
  • Select Tight Knot (STK): refers to a wood grade that allows small, firm, and stable natural knots in the lumber, combining authentic character with reliable strength. It is suitable for both decorative and structural applications.
  • Joinery Grade: A wood grade emphasizing appearance and workability, suitable for furniture, interior trim, and decorative woodworking, not heavy structural use.
  • Musical Grade: refers to a specially selected wood of the highest quality, chosen for its stability, acoustic properties, and beauty, making it suitable for crafting musical instruments.
  • Jet Black Grade: refers to the highest quality ebony wood, selected for its pure, uniform black color without streaks or discoloration.

3. Certifications & Compliance: Our products can be supplied with the following certifications where available:

  • FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council): is an organization that certifies responsibly and sustainably managed forests and forest products.
  • SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative): A North American certification ensuring wood and paper products come from responsibly managed forests, focusing on sustainability, responsible harvesting, supply chain tracking, and community support.
  • PEFC™ (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification): is an international organization that endorses and promotes sustainable forest management through certification systems.
  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): is an international certification system for green buildings that measures sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental responsibility in construction and operation.
  • EUTR (EU Timber Regulation): It’s a European Union law (Regulation (EU) No 995/2010) that came into force in March 2013 to combat the trade of illegally harvested timber and timber products.
  • EN & ISO Standards: are international guidelines that ensure building materials, like timber, meet safety and performance requirements for structural performance.
  • ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15): is a global regulation requiring treatment of wooden packaging to prevent pest and disease spread in international trade.
  • NHLA: (National Hardwood Lumber Association): is a U.S. organization that establishes grading standards and promotes quality in the hardwood lumber industry.
  • NOFMA: (National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association): is a North American organization that sets quality standards and supports oak flooring manufacturers.
  • JAS: (Japanese Agricultural Standard): is a Japanese standard that sets quality and grading requirements for agricultural and forestry products, including timber.
  • BS/EN: (British/European Standards): are British and European standards that set quality and safety requirements for products like timber.
  • CITES: (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), controls the legal international trade of endangered wood species to prevent illegal logging and protect forests.
  • AS 2082: is an Australian Standard that specifies grading rules and quality requirements for hardwood timber used in construction and structural applications.
  • APA PRP-108: is a U.S. standard that defines performance requirements and testing methods for plywood used in structural applications, ensuring strength, durability, and safety.
  • CARB (California Air Resources Board): It is a regulatory agency in California that sets air quality standards, including limits on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products like LDF, MDF, HDF, and particleboard.
  • UL94 (Underwriters Laboratories Standard 94): is an international standard that measures a material’s flammability, classifying how easily it ignites and how quickly fire spreads. It is used to assess fire safety of plastics, treated wood, and composite panels.

4. Product Guidelines: Product guidelines are best-practice instructions for using, storing, and maintaining timber to ensure it performs well and lasts longer.

4.1 Storage & Handling

  • Store timber flat and raised from the ground to avoid moisture absorption.
  • Keep timber in a dry, shaded, and well-ventilated area.
  • Use spacers between boards to allow airflow.
  • Avoid stacking timber directly against walls to prevent condensation damage.
  • Handle with care to avoid chipping edges or denting surfaces.

4.2 Installation & Acclimatization

  • Let timber acclimate to the site’s temperature and humidity for at least 7–14 days before installation.
  • Use appropriate fasteners and adhesives for the specific timber species.
  • Avoid installing in areas with excessive moisture unless the timber is treated for outdoor use.

4.3 Finishing & Treatment

  • Apply sealers or finishes on all sides of the timber to minimize expansion and contraction.
  • Use UV-protective finishes for outdoor applications.
  • Consider oil-based finishes for a richer, deeper appearance on hardwoods.

4.4 Safety Precautions

  • Always wear protective eyewear, gloves, and dust masks when cutting, sanding, or finishing timber.
  • Use correct lifting techniques for large or heavy boards.
  • Dispose of sawdust safely and in accordance with local regulations.

5. Estimated Prices: All listed prices are estimates intended to provide a general understanding of market ranges. Final pricing is determined based on multiple factors, including wood species, quality, grade, finish, drying method, dimensions, order quantity, shipping costs, availability, origin, wood characteristics, market demand, and broader economic conditions. For accurate pricing, please contact us with your specific requirements.