Finish Grades

Superior or C & BTR
Douglas Fir

Superior (WWPA Rules) and C & BTR (WCLIB Rules) grades are virtually clear, limited in availability, and priced accordingly. Intended for applications demanding only the finest quality. Recommended and widely used for interior trim and cabinet work with natural, stain or enamel finishes where refined appearance is sought. When Superior VG or C & BTR VG is specified, the face must present a vertical grain (VG) appearance. 

Prime or D
Douglas Fir

Prime (WWPA Rules) and D (WCLIB Rules) grades, usually applied to Douglas fir and the Hem-Fir species, exhibit fine appearance although slightly less restrictive on characteristics than are Superior and C & BTR. VG (vertical grain) may be specified. In Prime, a 76 mm cutout at one end or more than .9 metres from the end is permitted in pieces of otherwise high appearance. Cutouts are restricted to pieces 3.7 metres and longer and 10% of the item. 

E Finish
Douglas Fir

The intent of E Finish grade (WWPA Rules) is to include fall down from the higher FINISH grades where cross cutting and/or ripping will result in cuttings of Prime or Superior grade. Each piece of E Finish must contain two thirds or more of such cuttings 50 mm or wider and 400 mm or longer.

Select Merchantable
Douglas Fir

Select Merchantable (WCLIB Rules) is well suited for use in housing and light construction as panelling, shelving, siding or any finish application where a knotty type of timber with a refined appearance is desired. Each piece is of good appearance, must be close grained and free from wane on the face. A few, minor characteristics are allowed. Sound tight knots ranging from approximately 32 mm in 102mm widths to 64 mm in 305 widths, proportionate in wider widths, are permitted. 

Construction
Douglas Fir

Construction grade (WCLIB Rules) boards are recommended and widely used for utilitarian shelving, subfloors, roof and wall sheathing, concrete forms and similar types of construction in non-load bearing applications. Where they occur, characteristics are limited to assure a high degree of serviceability. Various types and sizes of knots and knot holes, proportionate to the width of the piece, are permissible. 

Standard
Douglas Fir

Standard boards (WCLIB Rules) are available in large volumes and more widely used than other grades for general, non-load bearing construction purposes. Standard is used for subfloors, roof and wall sheathing and other similar applications. Although appearance is given consideration, pieces are graded chiefly for serviceability and not intended for exposed positions. A variety of sizes and types of knots, knot holes, wane and other imperfections and defects are allowed.