Lumber Question

[tjmac44]

Stopped by Intermountain Wood Producst in Omaha. Does $1.97/bf for F1F Norther Red Oak seem good? Quarter Sawn is $4.70. What exactly does F1F mean?
They bring it out to you on a pallet and let you choose the boards you want then you go pay for it.

[John Hunter]

Most lumber in the country is sold under a grading system developed by the National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA). The primary focus of the grading system is to establish the area of clear face cutting in each board.

The best grade is FAS (First and Seconds) which yields the largest percent of clear wood. F1F (FAS-one face) and selects are graded for each side of the board, with one side FAS quality and the other No.1 Common. Lower grades are No.2A & No.2B Common, which yield half clear wood; No.3A Common which yields one-third clear wood; and No.3B Common, which yields one-quarter clear wood.

Source: http://www.ufei.org/urbanwood/grades.html