Lumber Grading Overview

When lumber is used as a structural material in construction, it has to perform properly. It must be strong enough, stiff enough, dry enough, etc. to meet the required performance levels.

In Canada, a sophisticated system of product standards, engineering design guidelines, government regulations, education, reviews, and check and balances has evolved over the years to help people determine what lumber they need for a specific building project, and what grade of lumber they are receiving.

Since 1960, virtually all of the lumber produced in Canada has been marked with a nationally standardized, easy-to-read Lumber Grade Stamp placed right on the wood itself. These stamps identify the species, grade and moisture content of the piece of lumber, its facility of origin, the logo of the accredited Grading Agency that has overseen its grading, and any special processing the lumber has received.

Grade stamps and certificates are the basis of sale, purchase, and regulatory acceptance of the lumber manufactured in Canada.

The Canadian Lumber Standards Accreditation Board (CLSAB) carefully controls the use of grade stamps and certificates, overseeing how they are applied in the field, by accrediting and reviewing the performance of the Lumber Grading Agencies. The Grading Agencies, of which OLMA is one, license graders and oversee grading at the individual manufacturing facilities.