Understanding
Timber Grading
Redwood, Whitewood, Unsorted & UTC Explained
When you’re choosing timber for a project, whether it’s decking, framing, fencing or bespoke joinery, knowing the difference between the main timber types and grades can save you time, money, and a lot of frustration. In the UK timber industry, you’ll often see terms like Redwood, Whitewood, Unsorted, and UTC 1, 2, 3. But what do they actually mean?
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
Redwood vs Whitewood: What’s the Difference?
Redwood (Scots Pine – Pinus Sylvestris)
Redwood is a high-quality softwood widely used in the UK for joinery, furniture, mouldings, and high-end internal work.
Key features:
Tighter grain → gives a smoother finish
Fewer knots → more stable and predictable
Better durability → ideal for joinery & finish work
Takes paint and stain extremely well
Because of the higher grade and overall appearance, redwood is usually the more premium option, which is why you’ll see it used for skirting, architrave, doors, and quality interior projects.
Whitewood (Spruce – Picea Abies)
Whitewood typically comes from Scandinavian spruce and is widely used for structural work, studwork, general construction, and everyday DIY.
Key features:
More knots → perfectly fine for structural use
Lighter in colour
Wider grain pattern
Excellent value, highly versatile
Whitewood is generally cheaper than redwood, and is a top choice for stud walls, carcassing, and jobs where appearance isn’t the priority.
What Does “Unsorted” Mean?
In the Scandinavian grading system, “Unsorted” is actually a high-quality grade, even though the name suggests otherwise!
Traditionally, Scandinavian mills sort timber into grades 1–8.
Unsorted = Grades 1–4 combined.
That means:
Minimal knots
High structural integrity
Excellent stability
Very consistent appearance
Unsorted is commonly used for:
High-end joinery
Planed and profiled products (PAR, skirting, architrave)
Anything where finish and consistency matter
So despite the name, unsorted is actually some of the best graded softwood available.
What Are UTC Grades? (UTC 1, 2, 3)
UTC stands for Ungrönad / Treated / Classified (varies slightly by region), but in the UK market it’s commonly used to show the appearance grade of planed timber, especially in Nordic redwood.
You’ll typically see:
UTC 1 – Premium Grade
Very few knots
Fine grain
Consistent colour
Ideal for visible joinery, window boards, premium mouldings
This is the highest joinery grade you’ll usually see sold in the UK.
UTC 2 – Standard Joinery Grade
sound knots permitted
Slightly more variation in colour
Great for everyday internal joinery
Perfect balance of price and quality
UTC 3 – Utility Grade
More knots and grain variation
Still strong, but more “rustic”
Ideal for shelving, carcassing, or where looks aren’t crucial
Think of UTC grading like “appearance classes” — the higher the number, the more natural character (knots/colour variation) you’ll see.
Which Should You Choose?
Here’s a quick guide:
| Purpose | Best Choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Premium joinery, interior finish | Redwood – UTC 1 / Unsorted | Smooth, stable, high-quality |
| Everyday joinery | Redwood – UTC 2 | Good appearance without premium price |
| Shelving, general DIY | Redwood UTC 3 or Whitewood | Cost-effective |
| Studwork / carcassing | Whitewood | Strong, affordable, ideal for internal framing |
| Skirting / Architrave | Redwood – Unsorted | Best finish + least knots |
In Summary
Redwood = smoother, tighter grain, fewer knots — ideal for joinery
Whitewood = cheaper, knotty, great for construction
Unsorted = top-quality Scandinavian softwood (Grades 1–4 combined)
UTC 1, 2, 3 = appearance grades for planed timber (1 = premium, 3 = rustic)
Understanding these grades ensures you choose the right timber for the job — avoiding over-specifying (and overspending) or picking the wrong type for a visible finish.
Disclaimer: The content provided on this page is designed to serve as a general overview and should not be considered professional advice. While Dorchester Timber strives to ensure accuracy, we accept no responsibility for any outdated or inaccurate information presented here.