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D and Better
D & Better lumber is an appearance-grade classification consisting of Grade D and higher quality boards. This grade is selected when both visual appearance and material quality are important. Compared to standard framing grades, D & Better lumber contains fewer visible defects, tighter quality standards, and improved surface appearance. D & Better lumber is commonly used for trim, fascia, soffits, finish carpentry, accent walls, shelving, and other applications where the lumber may remain visible after installation. It is valued for its cleaner appearance, reduced knot content, and versatility across a wide range of residential and commercial projects. Contractors and builders often choose D & Better lumber when project requirements call for a balance between appearance, workability, and overall material quality.
#2 and Better
#2 & Better lumber is the industry standard grade for most residential and light commercial framing applications. This classification includes all boards meeting #2 grade requirements as well as higher grades, providing a dependable balance of structural performance, availability, and value. Lumber graded #2 & Better is suitable for wall framing, floor systems, roof framing, blocking, bracing, and other structural applications. Boards may contain natural characteristics such as knots, grain variations, and minor imperfections that remain within established grading standards and do not significantly affect structural integrity. Due to its versatility, strength, and cost-effectiveness, #2 & Better lumber is one of the most widely used framing products in North American construction and is commonly specified for residential homes, garages, additions, and general building projects.
Select Structural
Select Structural is one of the highest grades of dimensional lumber available for structural applications. This grade is manufactured to meet strict quality standards and is selected for its superior strength, stiffness, and overall structural performance. Select Structural lumber contains fewer and smaller defects than lower framing grades, resulting in increased load-carrying capacity and reliability. Common applications include load-bearing walls, beams, headers, floor systems, roof framing, and other structural components where enhanced performance is required. Due to its high quality and consistent characteristics, Select Structural lumber is often specified for projects requiring greater strength, longer spans, or demanding engineering requirements. Builders, contractors, and engineers choose Select Structural lumber when project specifications call for premium structural performance and dependable material quality.
Machine Stress Rated (MSR)
Machine Stress Rated (MSR) lumber is a premium structural product that is mechanically tested during manufacturing to verify its strength and stiffness characteristics. Unlike visually graded lumber, MSR lumber is evaluated using specialized equipment that measures structural performance, providing greater consistency and reliability for demanding construction applications. MSR lumber is commonly used in roof trusses, floor trusses, engineered wall systems, long-span framing, and other structural applications where precise strength values are required. Because each piece is machine evaluated, builders, engineers, and truss manufacturers can design with greater confidence and accuracy. MSR lumber is often specified when projects require predictable structural performance, improved load-carrying capacity, and reduced variability compared to standard visually graded framing lumber. Common MSR designations include grades such as 1650f-1.5E, 2100f-1.8E, and 2400f-2.0E, which indicate specific bending strength and stiffness values used in engineering and structural design.
No.3 and No. 3 NOGS
#3 and #3 NOGS lumber are utility-grade products commonly used in applications where appearance is not a primary concern and structural demands are less critical than those requiring #2 or higher grades. These grades permit larger knots, greater slope of grain, and additional natural characteristics while remaining within established grading standards. #3 NOGS (No Oversized Growth Stresses) lumber is manufactured to reduce the effects of excessive internal growth stresses that can contribute to twisting, bowing, crooking, and warping after installation. As a result, #3 NOGS lumber generally provides improved dimensional stability compared to standard #3 lumber while maintaining the same economical utility-grade classification. These products are commonly used for blocking, bracing, agricultural buildings, sheds, utility structures, packaging, temporary construction, and other non-critical framing applications where cost-effectiveness and practicality are prioritized over appearance and premium structural performance.
No. 3 and Better
#3 lumber is a utility-grade structural product commonly used in applications where appearance is not a primary concern and loading requirements are less demanding than those specified for #2 or higher grades. This grade permits larger knots, greater slope of grain, wane, and other natural characteristics while remaining within established grading standards. #3 lumber is commonly manufactured from Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) species groups, which include spruce, pine, and fir. These species are widely utilized throughout North America due to their availability, workability, and cost-effectiveness. SPF #3 lumber provides an economical solution for projects where utility and affordability are prioritized over appearance and premium structural performance. Common applications include blocking, bracing, agricultural buildings, sheds, utility structures, temporary construction, packaging, and other non-critical framing applications. Builders and contractors often select #3 lumber when dependable utility-grade material is required at a lower cost than #2 & Better or higher structural grades.
Economy Grade
Economy Grade lumber is the lowest commonly marketed lumber grade and is intended for applications where appearance and structural performance are not primary considerations. This grade permits larger knots, splits, wane, surface imperfections, and other natural characteristics that would not be acceptable in higher structural grades. Economy Grade lumber is typically manufactured from Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) species groups and is commonly used for temporary construction, crating, pallets, packaging, dunnage, concrete forming, blocking, bracing, agricultural projects, and other utility applications where minimizing material cost is the primary objective. Because Economy Grade lumber contains a greater number of natural defects and visual imperfections, it is generally not recommended for critical structural applications, finish work, or projects where appearance is important. Contractors and builders often select Economy Grade lumber when functionality, affordability, and material availability outweigh aesthetic and structural requirements.
#4 Douglas Fir-Larch (DF-L) & Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) Lumber
#4 lumber is a utility-grade product commonly manufactured from Douglas Fir-Larch (DF-L) and Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) species groups. This grade permits larger knots, wane, splits, and other natural characteristics, making it best suited for pallets, crating, dunnage, temporary construction, agricultural projects, blocking, and bracing. #4 lumber is an economical option for non-structural applications where appearance and premium strength are not primary requirements.
#5 Lumber
#5 lumber is a low-grade utility product characterized by large knots, significant wane, splits, checks, bark inclusions, and other natural defects that make it unsuitable for most structural or appearance-related applications. This grade is produced primarily for situations where cost is the primary consideration and material performance requirements are minimal. Common uses include pallets, crating, dunnage, packaging, temporary bracing, agricultural applications, and other non-critical utility purposes. Because of the number and severity of defects permitted, #5 lumber is generally not recommended for structural framing, finish work, engineered applications, or projects where appearance, strength, or dimensional stability are important. Contractors typically view #5 lumber as a functional utility-grade material intended for temporary, disposable, or low-demand applications where affordability outweighs appearance and structural performance.

D and Better

#2 and Better

Select Structural

Machine Stress Rated (MSR)

No.3 and No. 3 NOGS

No. 3 and Better

Economy Grade

#4 Douglas Fir-Larch (DF-L) & Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) Lumber

#5 Lumber