Wood house cladding information for cedar tongue & groove

TONGUE & GROOVE | GRADES

Clear Grades

Grade	Description

Clear Heart
	The highest grade. Includes only pieces with heartwood on the exposed face. Many pieces completely clear, others have minor imperfections that do not detract from their fine appearance. Available solid wood or finger-joined. Grading Rule Paragraph NLGA 200a WCLIB 102-b
A Clear
	Permits somewhat more imperfections than Clear Heart but the grade is still restricted to pieces with excellent appearance. Common specifications are A and Better and A and Better with a percentage of B grade allowed. Grading Rule Paragraph NLGA 200b WCLIB 102-c
B Clear
	Permits slightly larger and more numerous characteristics than A grade and occasional pieces may require trimming to yield high grade pieces in shorter lengths. Most often supplied as a percentage with A grade. Available solid wood or finger-joined. Grading Rule Paragraph NLGA 200c WCLIB 102-d
B Clear
	This grade permits slightly more numerous and larger growth characteristics. It is nevertheless highly serviceable and often yields short lengths of fine appearance from longer stock. Grading Rule Paragraph NLGA 201c WCLIB 106-b

Knotty Grades

Grade	Description

Select Knotty
	Available kiln dried or unseasoned. Knots are sound and tight. Grading Rule Paragraph NLGA 204a WCLIB 111-e
Quality Knotty
	In this grade, natural growth characteristics are not limited as stringently as in Select Knotty. Cross cutting may be required on some pieces to yield tight knotted siding. Grading Rule Paragraph NLGA 204b WCLIB 111-f
Proprietary Grades
	Designed to meet appearance requirements for cedar sidings and trim. Ask your WRCEA distributor for details. Manufacturers may market their own proprietary grades. Grading Rule Paragraph NLGA n/a WCLIB n/a
Standard and Better
	Suitable for exterior construction. Occasional pieces may require trimming to yield suitable quality for the intended end use. Grading Rule Paragraph NLGA 114a,b,c WCLIB 118a,b,c

NLGA - National Lumber Grades Authority
WCLIB - West Coast Lumber Inspection Bureau

Members of the Western Red Cedar Export Association provide western red cedar to Belgium, France, The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan and other markets around the world.

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