The Full Guide to Hewins Grades
Signature, Sterling and Select
26th February 2025
Grading is one of the key influences on visual quality, setting the level of natural features, cleanness and overall uniformity of the timber. Choosing the right grade shapes how a project will look on completion and how much the timber element of a project will cost.
Getting it right means understanding where quality truly matters. Prominent, sightline-critical elements such as feature staircases, entrance doors and exposed structural runs often justify our Signature or Sterling grades, where consistency and a clean, refined aesthetic are essential. On hidden faces or shorter, less visually critical components, our Select grade offers a cost-effective route without compromising strength or workability.
Before specifying, it’s worth considering the section size, exposure and the character you want the finished project to have. The following pages set out our three grades, Signature, Sterling and Select, in detail, to help you match the right oak to the right application.
Timber grades can be difficult to describe in words alone. The written specification often defines the lower limits of a grade rather than conveying the overall appearance of the timber. The images provide a visual guide to the overall character and typical appearance of each grade.
Signature (previously Superior)
For prestigious commissions and exceptional projects, where the very finest quality of oak is required and there are few budget constraints. Hewins Signature Grade is meticulously produced to the highest grading we can offer, and is limited in availability. During the production process, detailed attention is paid to the grade and grain of the oak and the result is superior quality, exceptionally clean and consistent sections of oak. This grade is for use in bespoke furniture commissions, yacht fitouts and unique internal projects, where only the very best will do.
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Clear, clean sections with straight grain, minimal allowance of features and broadly consistent in colour. 85% of the sections will be knot free on 3–4 faces. Each piece is graded on its most affected 2 linear metres, ensuring that each piece is of very high overall quality. There is a restricted allowance for small knots of up to 12mm in diameter in some of the pieces, but these will be the exception. Isolated pin size
knots of under 5mm diameter can be included if they are not a distinct visual contrast. There is no tolerance for splitting, dead knots or sap. Also known as a super prime grade.
This grade is at the limits of what can be achieved in oak; for sections of 200mm or more in width, we would recommend assessing if these pieces need to be clean and clear on both faces. We offer a Signature Good One Face grade which could save money, timber and potentially increase the likelihood of sourcing the pieces required. Enquire with the Sales Team for more information on this option if you feel this could be appropriate to your requirements. Due to the nature of this grade, lead times on this product may be longer than normal, and will depend on the volume required and additional specifications.
Sterling (previously Prime)
Hewins Sterling Grade oak is the choice for high quality, clean and clear joinery, furniture and fit out installations. Comparable to the industry's 'prime grade', the majority of pieces are 3–4 sides clear, and mostly clean and free from knots with a tolerance for a few smaller, workable defects. This grade is our most popular grade and is widely used for many different applications requiring clean, strong and clear grade oak. The overall finish of a project will appear with a clean and defect free finish especially if the joinery application involves a proportion of hidden faces. Perfectly suited for use in doors, windows, stairs, plus many other high-end building applications.
Largely clear sections free of features and generally consistent in colour. Approximately 70% of the pieces supplied will be free of defects on 3–4 faces. Each piece is graded on its most affected 1.5 linear metres, this ensures high overall quality. There is a limited allowance for small knots of up to 30mm in diameter in some of the pieces, These are restricted and will be the exception. The occasional sound feature greater than 30mm diameter is permitted where there is the absence of a build-up of other features. There can be traces of sap on the arises of the sections with a view to this being removed in the planing process. This grade is sometimes referred to as Prime Grade / A Grade / 1st Grade.
For sections of 200mm or more in width, we would recommend assessing if these pieces need to be clean and clear on both faces. We offer a Sterling Good One Face grade which could save money, timber and potential lead time with these wide sections.
Select (previously Joinery)
Select grade is an attractive grade for applications where some features can be included or where shorter joinery and furniture components are being cut and therefore features can be easily cut around. This is a cost-effective grade for many applications and many of the pieces in an order will be clear of defects particularly where shorter lengths are requested. Select grade is not a Character or Pippy grade that is often sought after for flooring and furniture production because it is too clean and does not have the covering of attractive knots and catspaw pips that a true Pippy grade contains. Many of the pieces in Select grade will be mostly clean with maybe one or two features.
The majority of pieces will be mainly clear cuttings on 2–3 faces. Each piece is graded on its most affected 1.5 linear metres, this ensuring a consistent overall quality. There is a limited allowance for small knots of up to 35mm in diameter in each piece although many pieces will be fairly clean. The occasional sound feature greater than 30mm diameter is permitted where there is the absence of a build-up of other features. Smaller features of under 7mm are allowed without limitation so long as these features are not excessive in number. There can be traces of sap on the arises of the sections with a view to this being removed in the planing process. This is sometimes referred to as: Feature Grade and FAS (First And Second) grade.
For sections of 200mm or more in width, we would recommend assessing if these pieces need to be clean and clear on both faces. We offer a Select Good One Face grade which could save money, timber and potential lead time with these wide sections.
