Wood Specie and Grade Characteristics

Why do we have different grades?

We have developed different grades of material in order to utilize our natural resources to the fullest. Different grades of material give us the ability to fulfill your expectations. Five distinct material grades have been established allowing you to choose the best alternative for a particular job or finish.

Premium Grade

Our "Premium" grade has been developed for those jobs where a more uniform look is needed. The grade contains less of the natural material characteristics and is produced within a much narrower color range.

Premium orders will be matched to obtain a look that is as uniform as possible. However, since each board is different, there may be slight differences in appearances and color between pieces. Premium products will contain fewer and smaller mineral streaks and knots than " Standard" grade. A Premium grade order will give you a job that is consistent thoughout for color and material characteristics.

In the "Heartwood" species, such as Red Oak or Cherry, no sapwood will be seen on the face of the door; in the "Sapwood" species, such as Maple or Ash, no heartwood will be seen on the face. This includes machined areas from a normal viewpoint after installation.

We recommend Premium grade for natural and transparent finishes.

Pecan/Hickory is an exception to our normal Premium grade guidelines in that the color variations and lack of uniformity are a characteristic of Pecan /Hickory. A Premium grade of this species will include a narrow range of variation, but will not be uniform in heartwood or sapwood color.

Standard Grade

Our "Standard" grade of material has been developed to meet a wide variety of applications and will provide a very versatile product at a reasonable cost.

Standard grade material allows for many of the natural characteristics of the wood to be present in the product while limiting or eliminating the most objectionable. This material grade allows us to utilize as much of the natural resources as possible while still producing a product that meets the needs of our customers.

Even though each board has its own individual appearance regarding color and grain, panels will be matches for a pleasing appearance. Colors will be blended within each door. Character marks such as knots and mineral streaks are strictly limited in size and amount in most species.

In "Heartwood" species, such as Red Oak or Cherry, the amount of sapwood that is present on the face of the door is strictly limited and will not be present in the machined areas. "Sapwood" species, such as Maple or Ash, limit heartwood to machined areas.

Alder has little or no distinction between sap and heartwood and is an excellent choice for light or natural finishes.

Standard grade works very well with most finishes. Lighter and clear finishes may tend to accentuate the natural color difference within the product and may not be pleasing to some people. If unsure of the appearance that will be obtained with the required finish, two or more sample doors should be ordered and finished prior to ordering an entire kitchen.

Value Grade

Our "Value" grade material has been developed as an alternative price point product for medium and darker finishes and is only available in Red Oak and Cherry. This grade increases utilization of our natural resources by allowing more color variation and other natural characteristics than our Standard grade.

While each board has its own individual appearance in color and grain pattern, panels will be moderately matched for color. Sapwood may be present on the face. Character marks such as pin knots and mineral streaks, although limited in size and amount, will be more prevalent and numerous than in our Standard grade.

This grade works very well with most medium to dark finishes. Light and natural finishes will accentuate the natural color differences within the product and may not be pleasing to some people. If unsure about the appearance being acceptable, two or more samples should be ordered and finished prior to ordering an entire kitchen.

Paint Grade

Our "Paint Grade" was developed for paint applications and will be comprised of a random mix of three different species - Hard Maple, Soft Maple or White Birch. This grade will allow all of the natural color range of the wood as well as some stain and mineral. This product will not be matched for color and will have heartwood and sapwood present in varying amounts. Knots, wormholes, and other defects that would cause voids are strictly limited, providing a smooth paintable surface.

Individual components of each product will be comprised of a mix of paint grade species. Products within the same order will contain varying amounts of Hard Maple, Soft Maple and White Birch. This grade is intended for painting only.

Paint Grade Hard Maple

Our "Paint Grade Hard Maple " was developed specifically for those customers that prefer to use only Hard Maple components for paint applications. This grade will allow all the natural color range of Hard Maple, as well as moderate amounts of stain and mineral. Products made from this grade will not be matched for color, heartwood and sapwood present in varying amounts. Knots, wormholes and other defects that would cause voids are limited, providing a smooth paintable surface.

Rustic Knotty Grade

Our "Rustic Knotty" grade is available in Alder, Cherry, Hard Maple, Hickory and Red Oak. This grade was developed to provide our customers with a material that allows knots, split knots and other character marks and defects. The knots are of varying size, both sound and unsound. This material will allow the natural color characteristics of the species, wormholes and any other naturally occurring defects that may be present in wood. This product will not be matched for color and may have both sapwood and heartwood present in varying amounts. Voids will not be puttied unless indicated upon placement of the order.

We also offer Knotty Pine doors and drawer fronts which may have knots on the center panel but no knots will appear on the stiles and rails of the doors.

Quarter Sawn

Our "Quarter Sawn" grade is specially cut Red Oak and White Oak lumber where logs are quartered and sliced across the grain resulting in a tight, straight grain pattern. While maintaining the normal color range of flat cut oak, this method of cutting eliminates cathedral grain, but still allows limited amounts of mineral and pin knots. Quarter Sawn lumber also contains a distinct characteristic called medullar wood rays or "flake". These flakes are clearly noticeable and will appear in a variety of sizes, patterns and directions that become more pronounced after finish is applied.