Timber Grading Terminology : Making Sense of Industry Grading Labels

When selecting hardwood for flooring, decking, or cladding, understanding how the timber is graded is essential—not just for performance, but for appearance. However, the timber industry uses a wide range of terms that can vary from one supplier to the next. Many of these labels are marketing-driven and may not reflect standardised grading systems. That’s where clarity in timber grading terminology becomes critical.

At Kosny Timber, we help our customers navigate the sometimes confusing world of timber grades by offering simple explanations and aligning alternative grading labels with industry-recognised categories such as Select Grade, Standard Grade, Feature Grade, and Cover Grade. By doing so, we ensure consistency and help you make confident, informed choices—whether you're specifying Blackbutt, Spotted Gum, Tallowwood, or any other Australian native species.

Understanding Standard Grading Categories

In Australia, timber is generally graded based on its visual features, such as knots, gum veins, grain variation, and other natural markings. These features do not affect the strength or quality of the timber, but they significantly influence the aesthetic result.

The core categories are:

• Select Grade: Clean, minimal natural features, uniform appearance
• Standard Grade: Moderate natural features, balanced appearance
• Feature Grade: Includes prominent natural characteristics like knots, gum veins, and grain variation
• Cover Grade: Used where appearance is not critical, such as subfloors or utility spaces

Many alternative terms used in the market simply refer to combinations or variations of these core grades. Below is a breakdown of the most common alternative grading terms and what they mean in practice.

Alternative Timber Grading Labels Explained

Prestige Grade – This is best understood as a blend of Select Grade and Standard Grade. It offers a refined yet natural look, making it ideal for high-end residential interiors. Australian timbers like Blackbutt and Tallowwood present well in Prestige Grade, offering subtle grain and light variation.

Rustic Grade – This term is commonly used interchangeably with Feature Grade. It highlights knots, gum veins, and other expressive features that give the timber a rugged, natural charm. Spotted Gum and Messmate shine in Rustic Grade, especially in heritage or country-style homes.

High Feature Grade – This indicates an even more expressive version of Feature Grade, containing more frequent or pronounced natural characteristics. It's popular in commercial spaces or rustic design schemes where texture and contrast are celebrated.

Classic Grade – Essentially another name for Select Grade. Expect clean, straight grain with minimal imperfections. Brush Box and Blue Gum are often supplied in Classic Grade for use in premium architectural settings.

Run of Mill / All-in Grade – A mixed grade, usually made up of Feature Grade boards with some better-grade inclusions. This is a budget-friendly option for those wanting a natural timber look without strict uniformity.

Standard and Better Grade – As the name suggests, this refers to a mix of Standard Grade and Select Grade. It provides a good balance between visual character and clean lines, often used in residential flooring or fit-outs.

Premium Grade – Another label for a blend of Select and Standard Grade. It delivers consistency and subtle variation, often seen in projects that need elegance without uniformity. Red Ironbark in Premium Grade is a popular choice for timeless hardwood flooring.

Provincial Grade – Best described as a mix of Feature Grade and better-grade boards. Expect prominent natural markings with the occasional cleaner piece, making it suitable for rustic or traditional spaces.

Feature and Better Grade – This term covers a range of boards with character features, some more refined than others. It combines the authenticity of Feature Grade with occasional inclusions from Standard or Select Grades.

A-B Grade – This is another way of saying a mix of Select Grade and Standard Grade. It's often used by manufacturers for engineered timber or prefinished boards where grading follows an in-house classification.

A-B-C Grade – Indicates a broader mix, usually of Feature Grade and better grades. Boards may vary significantly in appearance, creating a diverse and highly natural look when installed.

Prime Grade – Typically consists of mostly Standard Grade boards with some Select Grade pieces. Prime Grade is ideal for clients who want visual interest with fewer dramatic features.

Pioneer Grade – Refers to a blend of Feature Grade and better boards. Expect bold grain, gum veins, and natural variation. Stringybark and Silvertop Ash often appear in this grade, especially in homes with a rustic design brief.

Natural Grade – A marketing term often used to refer to a mix of Feature Grade and Standard Grade timber. This grade celebrates nature's imperfections while maintaining structural integrity.

Accent Grade – Usually comparable to Standard Grade. It includes light natural features such as small gum veins or knots, but avoids heavy visual variation.

Platinum Grade – This high-end sounding label is best understood as a mixture of Select Grade and Standard Grade. It provides a refined appearance with enough character to remain interesting and organic.

Merch / Utility / Seconds Grade – These terms are generally aligned with Cover Grade. Boards are sound but may include large knots, colour inconsistency, or other features unsuitable for visible surfaces. These grades are typically used for subfloors, packaging, or where the timber will be covered.

Australiana Grade – This term is often used to describe Standard Grade timber with some light to moderate natural features. It’s commonly seen in projects that celebrate Australian species and natural variations.

Choosing the Right Grade for Your Project

With so many labels used across the timber industry, it’s easy to get confused. But once you understand how these alternative terms relate back to standard grading categories, making the right choice becomes much simpler. Whether you want the consistency of Select Grade, the character of Feature Grade, or something in between, Kosny Timber can help match your design vision to the right product.

Species like Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Ironbark, and Tallowwood all present beautifully across different grading categories. We work closely with sawmills and grading professionals to ensure that every board meets the expectations associated with its label—no matter how it’s named.

How Kosny Timber Supports You

Our team takes the guesswork out of timber specification by offering expert advice, clear documentation, and samples when needed. We help clients understand:

• What each grade really means in appearance and consistency
• Which species look best in which grades
• How to balance aesthetics and cost through grade selection

With over 30 years in the Australian timber industry, we’re proud to provide materials that reflect both nature’s beauty and your project’s vision.

Final Thoughts

The world of timber grading terminology can seem overwhelming, especially with the number of alternative names used in the market. But by understanding how terms like Prestige Grade, Rustic Grade, or Natural Grade align with established grading standards, you can shop smarter and build with confidence.

At Kosny Timber, we’re here to support your decision-making with reliable guidance, clear communication, and access to some of the finest Australian hardwoods available. Let us help you find timber that matches both your style and your standards—whatever the grade may be called.