Understanding Common Lumber Abbreviations

Posted 7/25/2023 by Amanda Hall

Stack of brite lumber

Understanding the acronyms commonly used in the lumber industry is essential for anyone working with wood. Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a professional builder, being familiar with terms like SPF, OSB, and MDF will enable you to make informed decisions about the type of lumber that best suits your project's needs. With this knowledge, you can confidently navigate the world of wood to create beautiful, durable structures.

Common Lumber Abbreviations

BF	Board feet
CDX	Plywood with one side “C” grade and on side “D” grade
CLR	Clear, free of knots and defects
CM	Center matched
EM	End matched
EWP	Engineered Wood Products
FJ	Finger jointed
FRT	Fire-Retardant Treated (lumber treated with fire-retardant chemicals)
FSC	Forest Stewardship Council (certification for sustainably sourced wood)
Green	Contains moisture
HDF	High-density fiberboard
KD	Kiln-dried
LF	Linear feet
LVL	Laminated Veneer Lumber
MDF	Medium density fiberboard
MSR	Moisture stress rating
MWP	Moisture and weather protected
OSB	Oriented strand board
PT	Pressure treated
RMS	Random lengths
S1S	Surfaced one side
S1S2E	Smooth 1 side and 2 edges
S2S	Surfaced two sides
S4S	Smooth on 4 sides
SE	Square edge
STD/BTR	Standard/Better grade lumber
STK	Select tight knot
T&G	Tongue and groove
VG	Vertical grain
WP11	Common shiplap pattern
WP4	Common tongue-and-groove siding pattern

Species

DF	Douglas Fir
ES	Engelmann Spruce
ESLP	Engelmann Spruce Lodgepole Pine
HEM	Hemlock Fir
LP	Lodgepole Pine
SPF	Spruce-Pine-Fir
SYP	Southern Yellow Pine
WRC	Western Red Cedar

Grade

#1BTR	#1 & Better
#2BTR	#2 & Better
#3BTR	#3 & Better
B&B	B & Better
BTR	Better
F1F	FAS One Face
FAS	First & Seconds
SEL	Select

These acronyms encompass a wide range of aspects in the lumber industry, including wood species, treatment, grading, and manufacturing processes. Familiarizing yourself with these abbreviations will help you navigate the world of lumber more efficiently and understand the specific characteristics of different lumber products.

As an example of these acronyms, our Native Woods is an ESLP (Engelmann Spruce Lodgepole Pine) species and is built with EM (end-matched) for time and material savings.

Please note that this list covers a variety of commonly used lumber acronyms, but there are many more specific abbreviations within the industry.