Timber is a natural product and has an infinitely varying range of characteristics and appearances. The Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association of America (HPVA) have created a set of rules called the Voluntary Standard for Hardwood and Decorative Panels commonly known as grading codes, which define allowable ranges of appearances and behavior for different species of hardwood plywood.
PLYWOOD GRADING STANDARDS
HARDWOOD PLYWOOD (DOMESTIC)
ANSI Plywood Grading Standards & Descriptions
| FACE GRADE Applications | BACK GRADE Description |
| A – Where excellent appearance is very important as in cabinets and furniture. | 1 – 2 – Provide sound surfaces with all openings in the veneer repaired except for vertical worm holes not larger than 1/16″. |
| B – Where the natural characteristics and appearance of the species are desirable. | 3 – Some open defects.Repaired splits, joints, bark pockets, laps and knotholes can achieve a sound surface if specified by the buyer. |
| C – D – Provide sound surfaces but allow unlimited color variation. Repairs in increasing size ranges allowed respectively from C to D. Applications – where surface will be hidden or a more natural appearance is desired. | 4 – Some open defects.Knotholes up to 4″ in diameter are permitted. open splits, and joints limited by width and length. |
| PLYWOOD FACE GRADES | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red and White Oak – (Rotary-Cut) – (Plain-Sliced) – (Quarter-Cut) | ||||||
| Pin Knots & Small Burls Comb. Average | Sound & Repaired Knots in Combination | Repaired Knots | Mineral Streaks | Sap | Blended Repaired Tapering Hairline Splits | |
| A | Max 12 (4 up to 1/4″) | NO | NO | Slight | 5% (1) | Two 1/16″ x 6″ |
| B | Max 24 (16 up to 1/4″) | 4 | 4 to 1/8″ | Few to 8″ | Up to 20% (2) | Four 1/8″ x 8″ |
| C | No Limit | 8 | 4 to 1/2″ | Yes to 12″ | Yes | Four 3/16″ x 8″ |
| (1) No sap allowed in Rift, Comb, and P/S; Allowed in Rotary White Oak. (2) Rotary Red Oak; 10% Sap allowed in Rift, Comb, and P/S; Any Sap allowed in Rotary White Oak. |
| PLYWOOD FACE GRADES | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red and White Oak – (Rotary-Cut) – (Plain-Sliced) – (Quarter-Cut) | ||||||
| Pin Knots & Small Burls Comb. Average | Sound & Repaired Knots in Combination | Repaired Knots | Mineral Streaks | Sap | Blended Repaired Tapering Hairline Splits | |
| A | Max 12 (4 up to 1/4″) | NO | NO | Slight | 5% (1) | Two 1/16″ x 6″ |
| B | Max 24 (16 up to 1/4″) | 4 | 4 to 1/8″ | Few to 8″ | Up to 20% (2) | Four 1/8″ x 8″ |
| C | No Limit | 8 | 4 to 1/2″ | Yes to 12″ | Yes | Four 3/16″ x 8″ |
| (1) No sap allowed in Rift, Comb, and P/S; Allowed in Rotary White Oak. (2) Rotary Red Oak; 10% Sap allowed in Rift, Comb, and P/S; Any Sap allowed in Rotary White Oak. |
| PLYWOOD BACK GRADES | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sound Tight Knots | Knotholes | Repaired Knots | Sound Tight Burls | Mineral Sap | Rough Cut | Splits or Joints | |
| 1 | Max 16 (Up to 1/4″) | NO | NO | Yes | Yes/Yes | Two 8″ Dia. Areas | NO |
| 2 | Max 16 (Up to 1/4″) | All Repaired | 8 to 1/2″ | Yes | Yes/Yes | Yes | Slight |
| 3 | Max 16 (1/2″ Up to 1-1/2″) | All 3/8″ to 1″ | No (1) | Yes | Yes/Yes | Yes | Two 8″ Areas |
| 4 | Yes | Up to 4″ | NO | Yes | Yes/Yes | Yes | 5% of Panel |
| LOP=Length of Panel (1) May be Obtained Repaired, If specified |
HARDWOOD PLYWOOD (IMPORTED)
Imported Plywood is graded with a face and back grade designation.
B/BB: Single piece face and back veneer. Face veneers are considered clear and free of defects with a light-uniform color. Back allows 3-6 color matched patches, which are oval in shape and egg sized. Inner cores are solid birch single piece veneers.
BB/BB: Single piece face and back. Both face and back veneers allow 3-6 small color-matched patches on average and some light mineral streaks. Tight pin knots may be present. Inner cores are solid single piece veneers.
BB/CP: Single piece face and back. The “CP” back veneers are downgraded from “BB” grade veneers, which allow for unlimited patches and sound knots, but does not allow for open defects. Inner cores are solid birch single piece veneers.
CP/CP: Single piece face and back. Face and back grade veneers allow unlimited sound knots and repaired splits and unlimited patches. The panel is sound both sides and designed for laminating.
C/C: Patches, open knots, and small veneer splits allowed. Veneer lap and small core voids permitted. This panel is not sanded and would be used for structural purposes.
SHOP GRADES: Shop panels are offered in the full 60” X 60” format in all of the grades listed above. Panels allow for 1-3 splits on the face veneer along one edge of the panel in lengths no longer than 10” and no wider than ¼”. Shop grades offered at a substantial discount to the “on grade” prices.
The explanation of grades listed above is a general overview.