Hardwood
FAS (Firsts and Seconds)
The highest standard hardwood lumber grade with 83%+ clear face cuttings
Standard: NHLARelative price: PremiumRank: 1
What this grade means
FAS is the premium grade of hardwood lumber as defined by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). Boards must yield at least 83-1/3% clear face cuttings from a minimum 6-inch wide, 8-foot long board. FAS represents the finest quality hardwood available for furniture, cabinetry, and architectural millwork.
Defects allowed
Very few — must have 83%+ clear wood on the worst face, minimum board size 6" x 8'
Typical uses
Fine furniture, architectural millwork, premium cabinetry, high-end flooring, musical instruments
Grade rules vary by species, region and grading agency. For structural work, use the grade stamp and governing code or an engineer’s specification—not appearance alone.
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