At Timberline, we primarily sell Eastern White Pine in Standard & Better and Premium & Better. Both can have knots. The choice comes down to how much variation you want in the finished wall or ceiling, and whether features such as open knot holes are acceptable.
Standard & Better versus Premium & Better
An appearance grade sets limits on knots, holes, splits and other characteristics. Boards within a grade will still look different from one another. The comparison below uses the Northeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association (NELMA) board rules as a reference. We confirm the offered mill grade or selection with your quote.
| Grade | What the rules allow | Before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Standard & Better | The underlying Standard grade allows larger knots, knot holes and more pronounced imperfections than Premium. | Decide whether open holes and larger knots suit the surface you have in mind. |
| Premium & Better | Finish and Premium may be sold together under this name. Both are knotty grades, with tighter limits than Standard. | Specify a visible face without open holes if you need one. Premium still permits limited knot holes. |
The “Better” in Standard & Better does not specify a percentage of higher-grade boards. A mill may also sort its lumber more closely than the published rules require. That is why the description of the material being offered matters when you compare quotes.
For a cabin wall where you want prominent knots and variation, Standard & Better may suit the look. For a ceiling where you want knotty pine with tighter limits on imperfections, compare Premium & Better. Neither label tells you exactly how a finished room will look.
Be specific about what you like. A sound knot and an open knot hole are different things, even though both may be described as “knotty pine.” If you like knots but do not want open holes, tell us that so we can check whether the offered material meets your needs.
What if you want clear pine?
If you want no visible knots, include that requirement when you contact us. Premium & Better is not clear pine.
D & Better Select is a separate group that combines C Select and D Select. These grades allow limited small knots, including in C Select. Selecting that grade alone does not guarantee a knot-free face on every board. We would need to confirm what material can meet your requirement before you order.
Tell us where the wood is going and how you plan to finish it. A photo of a room you like can help, especially if you point out the part that matters to you: the size of the knots, the amount of clear wood, or the color. If you are matching existing paneling or trim, include a photo of that material too.
You may also see “Finish” used as a grade name. It describes the lumber’s appearance; it does not mean the boards have been painted, stained or sealed.
Look at the face you will install
On a reversible board with a bead on one side and a V-joint on the other, tell us which side you intend to show. The two sides may have different appearances. Grading rules allow different characteristics on the back, so review the face that will be visible in your room. If both faces will show, include that in the request.
Grade and profile are separate choices. Tongue-and-groove describes how the edges fit together; bead and V-joint describe the face pattern. You can compare those shapes in our tongue-and-groove profile guide.
Ask us about representative boards or samples you can review. Looking at several boards gives you a better idea of the variation than a single small sample. With a clear or stained finish, test the coating on sample material as well. You want to judge the grain, knots and color with the finish you plan to use.
NELMA’s grade photo sheets are useful for comparing the published grades. They illustrate grading allowances rather than Timberline’s current material.
For a covered porch, describe how exposed the ceiling will be. Our porch ceiling wood guide covers the additional material and finish questions for that setting.
The grade name does not tell you whether the lumber is kiln-dried; drying is specified separately. This guide covers appearance grades. If the lumber will carry a structural load, provide that specification with your request.
Getting a white pine quote
Send us the details you have:
- The project: wall, ceiling, trim or another use, including any outdoor exposure.
- The profile and the face you will show.
- The grade on your plans, or the appearance you want, including any limits on knots or open holes.
- Quantities with units, sizes and lengths, plus any substitutions you can accept.
- Your planned finish, project location, timing, and whether you want pickup or delivery.
You do not need to settle on a grade before contacting us. We can work from your plans or a description of the look you want, then confirm the product, available lengths and price. Pickup is at our Black Mountain yard; delivery arrangements are confirmed with the quote.
White pine grade questions
Is Standard and Better the same as number two pine?
Not necessarily. A #2 label may refer to a different species or grading system. If your plans or another quote say #2 pine, send us the full description so we can compare it with the Eastern White Pine being offered. The label alone is not enough to establish that the products are equivalent.
Which grade should I choose for a painted ceiling?
Start with the surface you want after painting: whether you are comfortable seeing knot texture and what imperfections you are willing to have filled. Discuss preparation with your painter and test the planned coating on a representative piece. Tell us those requirements when requesting lumber; "paint grade" by itself does not specify a particular Eastern White Pine grade.