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Our quality grading

Main thickness 27 mm

We have established quality standards for grading our sawn timber in 160+ wide derived from European standardsNF EN 975-1using the symbol "QF" for the Q of Quercus (the oak) and F for the cuts in Frises and sawn timber.

The attached photos are just a starting point for explanation.
We distinguish qualities according to two main families:

Grading on both reference faces
QF1A/1b QF1b/2 QF2/3
Each board is inspected on both sides to ensure a selection of compliant knots. Particular attention is paid to the flatness of the board, as it is often intended to be re-sawn to thickness.

Grading on one reference face
QF1-2X QF2/3X QF3/4x KERN QF5X

Indicated by the letter X meaning that on the underside there may be limited sapwood present but not necessarily on all boards. In the lower choices, a trace of closed heartwood is accepted.

Download the description of our 7 main qualities
Pdf English

Depending on the widths and the grading programme, we also have grading variants. Here is a table for informational purposes that summarises the majority of choices you will find on the market and their correspondences.

QF norm

Usual

Description

QF1Q

1Q

1st choice quarter false quarter

QF1A

1

1st choice
no knots

QF1A/1b1/bis

1st/bis = Mix of 1st choice and bis knots 12 mm

QF1b

Bis

A few small knots 12-15 mm

QF1b/2

Bis/2

Healthy knots
12-25 mm

QF2/3

2/3

Knots from 25 to 50 mm
No sapwood, no heartwood, no edge knots.

QF1X

1X

1st choice/ Bis with sapwood tolerated on the reverse side

QF1-2X

12X

Select

QF2/3X

2/3X

Rustic A - knots up to 50 mm

QF3/4X

3/4X

Rustic B - knots 45-80 mm

- - - >

Kern

Heartwood 2 faces
Flat wood

QF5X

5X

Large knots up to 12 cm. No pinholes. No through sapwood


Chêne en qualité 2 ou QF1b/2

QF 1b/2

Healthy knots 12-25 mm

Chêne en qualité 3 ou QF2/3

QF 2/3

Knots 25-45 mm

Chêne en qualité 4 ou QF3/4X

QF 3/4X

Knots 45-80 mm

Chêne Kern

KERN

Heartwood 2 faces