Appalachian Hardwoods: Distinctly High-Quality Hardwood Lumber
Appalachia is a vast region encompassing around 206,000 square miles across 13 US states, stretching from New York all the way down to Mississippi. The region spans large areas of states such as West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. It follows the ancient Appalachian Mountain chain and is full of some of the most sought-after hardwoods in the world.
The combination of ideal growing conditions and proper elevation allows for hardwoods to have superior color, grain consistency, and structural integrity. Some of the main distinctions that make Appalachian hardwoods special include:
- Slow Growth Rate: Cooler temperatures and seasonal variation encourage trees to grow more gradually, resulting in tighter growth rings and increased density. This tighter grain structure contributes to strength, durability, and a refined appearance.
- Range of Commercially Valuable Species: Appalachia is extremely biodiverse and includes a wide variety of species, including red and white oak, hard and soft maple, cherry, hickory, and walnut.
Characteristics of High-Quality Appalachian Hardwood
High-quality Appalachian hardwood should not be defined by marketing language or species alone. Quality relies on specific environmental conditions of a harvest plot, along with the disciplined processing standards of a top-quality mill. High-quality hardwood should exhibit specific characteristics that distinguish it from lower-grade lumber.
The Importance of Timber Grading in Measuring Quality
Timber grading is a qualitative assessment system designed to categorize lumber based on appearance, structural integrity, and potential applications. These classifications help manufacturers and home builders identify the proper material for their projects. Timber grading is critical for manufacturers to ensure they buy consistent, predictable hardwoods.
The National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) established the grading rules that the lumber industry uses and offers a measurable percentage of defect-free wood for each grade.
These grades are:
- FAS Grade: Firsts and seconds, or FAS, is one of the highest grades available. This grade provides the user with long, clear cuttings and is best suited for high-quality furniture, interior joinery, and solid wood moulding.s
- Selects Grade: This grade is nearly the same as FAS on the good face but more lenient on the poor face and is best used for one-sided applications like cabinet sides and furniture backs.
- No. 1 Common Grade: Often referred to as ‘cabinet grade,' Number 1 Common includes boards that are a minimum of 3” wide and 4’ long and yield 66-⅔% clear wood. They are best used for furniture parts, kitchen cabinets, and smaller components.
- No. 2 Common Grade: Number 2 Common is one of the most economically viable grades due to its price and sustainability for use in a variety of furniture parts and flooring.
Additional Markers For Quality
In addition to NHLA standards, high-quality Appalachian hardwoods are processed in a variety of ways to ensure consistency and predictable use. These processes begin at the sawmill and play a defining role in whether or not a wood product meets professional standards.
Accurate sawing ensures boards meet thickness and width tolerances with minimal variation. This consistency reduces the need for remilling and helps maintain uniformity across large installations. Cut selection is another important factor. Plain sawn, rift sawn, and quarter sawn lumber each have distinct visual and performance characteristics. Mills that control cut selection are better equipped to supply material that aligns with specific design and structural requirements.
What to Look For When Sourcing Appalachian Hardwood
Architects, designers, and manufacturers alike should be very discerning when searching for hardwood suppliers. Suppliers that are transparent about their processes, from clear grading standards to consistent milling practices, are strong indicators that the quality of the product will be higher than the rest.
The ability to supply consistent materials over time is also very important. This is especially vital for large projects or ongoing relationships with a sawmill. Additionally, communication about lead times and honesty around limitations reflect a supplier's commitment to providing high-quality service as well.
Select Hardwoods Offers High-Quality Appalachian Hardwoods
If you are a manufacturer or builder looking for the best quality Appalachian hardwoods available, choose Select Hardwoods. We offer kiln-dried, premium Appalachian hardwoods for millwork, furniture, flooring, and other high-end applications throughout the United States and the rest of the world.
With our 400,000 board feet kiln capacity, we ensure that your lumber is dried, equalized, and conditioned to the proper specifications required for top-quality wood products. Once the lumber has been properly dried, it is evaluated by certified graders to ensure it meets the expected quality standards.
Select Hardwoods processes material for both domestic and international orders, with a focus on consistent preparation and dependable, on-schedule delivery. Contact our team today to discuss your hardwood needs and discover why manufacturers across the world trust Select Hardwoods for their high-quality Appalachian hardwood supply.