Hardwood lumber is abundantly grown in American forests, widely used throughout the home for flooring, cabinet, furniture, moulding and others.
Dozens of species provide plenty of color, grain and pattern. American hardwoods are the natural choice for environmentally conscious users. It is renewable, sustainable, plentiful, durable and easy to work with.
Technical Specifications:
Each species has its own appeal with its color, grain, texture and physical properties. For a particular application all the above characteristics are considered for selecting the species. Physical properties such as weight, hardness, modulus of rupture and elasticity, compressive strength and shrinkage become critical factors to determine whether a species will be ideal for flooring, furniture, cabinet or framing.
ALDER
Technical Data Common Name: Alder Scientific Name: Alnus rubra Average Weight: 449 kg/m3 Specific Gravity: 0.41 Hardness: 2,649 N Modulus of Rupture: 65.7 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 9,515 MPa Compressive Strength: 41.1 MPa Volumetric Shrinkage: 12.60%
ASH
Technical Data Common Name: Ash Scientific Name: Fraxinus americana Average Weight: 673 kg/m3 Specific Gravity: 0.60 Hardness: 5,871 N Modulus of Rupture: 103.4 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 11,997 MPa Compressive Strength: 51 MPa Volumetric Shrinkage: 6.20%
CHERRY
Technical Data Common Name: Cherry Scientific Name: Prunus serotina Average Weight: 560 kg/m3 Specific Gravity: 0.50 Hardness: 4,230 N Modulus of Rupture: 84.8 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 10,274 MPa Compressive Strength: 49 MPa Volumetric Shrinkage: 9.20%
HARD MAPLE
Technical Data Common Name: Hard Maple Scientific Name: Acer saccharum Average Weight: 705kg/m3 Specific Gravity: 0.63 Hardness: 6,450 N Modulus of Rupture: 108.9 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 12,618 MPa Compressive Strength: 53.9 MPa Volumetric Shrinkage: 14.70%
SOFT MAPLE
Technical Data Common Name: Soft Maple Scientific Name: Acer rubrum Average Weight: 609 kg/m3 Specific Gravity: 0.54 Hardness: 4,225 N Modulus of Rupture: 92.4 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 9,998 MPa Compressive Strength: 45.1 MPa Volumetric Shrinkage: 10.50%
RED OAK
Technical Data Common Name: Red Oak Scientific Name: Quercus rubra Average Weight:700 kg/m3 Specific Gravity: 0.63 Hardness: 5,730 N Modulus of Rupture: 99.2 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 12,550 MPa Compressive Strength: 46.8 MPa Volumetric Shrinkage: 6.60%
WHITE OAK
Technical Data Common Name: White Oak Scientific Name: Quercus spp. Average Weight:769 kg/m3 Specific Gravity: 0.68 Hardness: 6,050 N Modulus of Rupture: 104.8 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 12,273 MPa Compressive Strength: 44.9 MPa Volumetric Shrinkage: 12.60%
WALNUT
Technical Data Common Name: Walnut Scientific Name: Juglans nigra Average Weight: 610 kg/m3 Specific Gravity: 0.55 Hardness: 4,490 N Modulus of Rupture: 100.7 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 11,584 MPa Compressive Strength: 52.3 MPa Volumetric Shrinkage: 10.20%
YELLOW POPLAR
Technical Data Common Name: Yellow Poplar Scientific Name: Liriodendron tulipifera Average Weight: 449 kg/m3 Specific Gravity: 0.42 Hardness: 2.402 N Modulus of Rupture: 69.6 MPa Modulus of Elasticity: 10,894 MPa Compressive Strength: 38.2 MPa Volumetric Shrinkage: 12.70%
GRADING RULES
Grading Rules per NHLA
(National Hardwood Lumber Association):
FAS/1F: – Minimum board size – 6” and wider, 8’ and longer – 83.3% to 100% clear wood both faces for FAS, 1F for one face
Selects: – Same as FAS/1F except board size, which is 4” and wider, 6’ and longer – Generally shipped in combination with FAS/1F
Number 1 Common (#1C) – Minimum board size – 3” and wider, 4’ and longer – 66.7% to 83.3% clear wood both faces