Exposing the Deception: The Real Story Behind Russian Wood Grading

Introduction: Understanding the Depth and Scale of the Problem

In today's market, practically anything can be sold. However, the crucial factors are not what is being sold, but how and why it is sold. As the owner of a woodworking enterprise, I witness firsthand how a lack of knowledge leads to unfortunate outcomes. Alarmingly, 90% of sellers have never even been near a real sawmill. The term "complies with GOST" has become a magical phrase everyone follows without questioning its necessity.

We are taking a different path. By utilizing science and law, we aim to reveal the true state of affairs. Our goal is not to tarnish anyone's reputation but to highlight the root of the problem, which stems from either a lack of knowledge or a deliberate attempt to mislead buyers to boost sales, or sometimes both.

Behind every GOST standard for lumber lies not only bureaucracy but also opportunities for future construction. Just like in America and Europe, we aim to build skyscrapers, schools, theaters, and hospitals from wood. The woodworking industry urgently needs qualified specialists. Companies like Segezha Group and SVEZA are investing in education and practical training for students. Our larch wood, used abroad for various construction projects, enriches us with knowledge and practices that stimulate growth and development in the industry.

Collaboration with architects and builders is a global practice that reduces construction risks, yet its importance is often ignored in Russia. Finding a genuine manufacturer among the plethora of websites engaged in deceptive practices and advertising is truly challenging. The search for a real factory or enterprise among pseudo-manufacturers, who lack real knowledge and experience in the sawmilling and woodworking industries, is complicated by the fact that many use the terms "factory" or "manufacturer" merely to attract attention and increase sales, playing on your trust.

As we move into the future, let's take a closer look at the present, which currently leaves much to be desired. So, let's get started!

Beware of Deceptive Practices

It's important to recognize that every country has its own tricks and methods of selling. For example, if you are importing Russian timber and lumber, be aware of how dishonest Russian sellers might deceive you. Some sellers are only interested in making a quick sale, without regard for the quality or authenticity of the product.

By understanding these nuances, we can better navigate the complexities of the lumber market and make informed decisions. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the intricacies of the industry and unveil the truth behind the sales tactics used by some sellers.

Searching for Lumber: Who Really Stands Behind Trustworthy Websites?

When you're in the market for lumber, the journey typically starts with a search on Google or Yandex. You'll find millions of websites, all claiming to be "manufacturers." Let's take a closer look at a selection of these sites and an example from a marketplace, all flaunting numerous GOST standards. You see these GOSTs and "knowledge bases"—verbal tricks designed to earn your trust. But don't rush to make a choice, especially if it's your first purchase. Look carefully, scroll through the details. By the end of this article, you'll view these sites very differently!

Now, let's ask the question: who creates these websites and fills them with content? These people often have no connection to science, the industry, or real production. They copy information from other pseudo-manufacturers' sites, which also contain blatant nonsense unrelated to the real situation. Just look at photos 5 and 10—two different sites from different sellers with identical text. These texts are created for SEO promotion, much like neural networks copying data from online sources. But let's examine this "knowledge base" closely. Keep in mind: it is often false and misleading, words that inspire trust but lack real value. Look at all these screenshots from websites! Familiar? Do you trust all this? What if I told you that when viewed through the lens of laws and state standards, you'll learn a lot of interesting things? Let's explore.

Bloggers, Builders, Sellers, and GOSTs: Understanding Wood Grades

You read and believe, thinking it's true. You base your searches on these standards written on these sites. Builders, in their stylish blogs, forums, websites, and social media, love to explain what a particular grade should be, confidently convincing others. One popular blogger with a million followers who teaches construction claimed that "Prime grade should have only one knot per piece." Seriously? One tiny knot in six meters? Is this a production feature or just a myth you're spreading across all enterprises' technical conditions? Did this opinion come from a specific enterprise, or do all manufacturers assert this about their grading? Another construction blogger with a million followers also confirms this for grade A. Please specify: are we discussing a particular plant? If so, which one? Or is this opinion widespread among all plants nationwide? It’s crucial to know if this claim applies to one specific market seller who proudly calls themselves a manufacturer or all sellers in general. Or did you read this nonsense on social media? Look at the photos! There is no nationwide classification, and today you will prove this conclusively.

The Influence of Bloggers and Construction Sites

Not only bloggers but also thematic construction sites attract millions, from builders to hobbyists. Millions see how builders or architects confidently describe what a particular wood grade should be. Have you ever been to a real woodworking enterprise, factory, or plant? Apparently not, because your confident discussions about what a grade should be sound like an echo from online stores that have never seen production.

So, millions read this, then look for high-quality boards or Prime with one knot per piece, or AB almost without knots. Eventually, people in the vast, forest-rich Russia frequently ask: "Why is there no wood in the forest country?" People are surprised why the grade isn’t right and the knots are all wrong... and the quality leaves much to be desired! Familiar? We haven't even touched on the topic of knots and wood defects, and there are so many errors and misconceptions written that it’s frightening. Return to the first photo selection and their descriptions—the board grades are described almost as ideal. Read it: minor defects no more than 5%... Almost all grades are near Louvre-worthy, but in reality, my friends, things are quite different. The factory, enterprise, and production staff, who have no time to create content, are busy cutting wood—they have one question: "How do you know what the grade should be?" Where did you read this, where is it written? That's the point! You love talking about GOSTs without ever reading them! That's the essence!

The Deception of So-Called Manufacturers

All these people who write all this and mislead you on their websites claim they are manufacturers. And you all believe, but what's really there? Nothing, except they have one warehouse for dozens of sites on the internet. They sell products from several factories and enterprises, but each proudly calls themselves a manufacturer. Why? Because it works. You see the word "manufacturer" and "GOST," you believe and buy!

In today's reality, finding a real manufacturer is difficult. This absurd cycle continues: you listen to these builders, bloggers, sellers, remember it, and then word of mouth starts—who should have what grade... It shouldn’t be this way!

The Reality of Lumber Grading and GOST Standards

Let’s Get to the Facts

• Every woodworking plant, regardless of its size, operates according to its technical specifications (TUs). What you or anyone else imagines about these specifications is irrelevant. It’s that simple!

• Each woodworking plant, production enterprise, and combine follows its established TUs. When you visit stores like Leroy Merlin to purchase larch decking, you won't find grades like AB or Extra. Instead, you’ll see grades like Optima and Norma, and the familiar Prima. It’s crucial to understand that Prima bought from Leroy Merlin can be vastly different from Prima offered by specialized manufacturers like Timber Expert.

• These differences in standards and quality can lead to customer dissatisfaction and complaints. However, these complaints are often unfounded. As a result, you might end up with boards that don’t meet your expectations: you measure millimeters, expecting all boards to be uniform, which they are not. Many believe the board is warped, but a deeper understanding of the science and standards reveals otherwise. After reading and listening to advice, you might find that you’re dissatisfied with everything—neither the quality nor the price meets your expectations. What is so beautifully described on websites as Extra, Prima, AB often turns out to be far less ideal than portrayed and frequently does not meet the trusted GOST standards.

Do you have doubts? Try disputing the quality of the wood through the judicial system, and I warn you in advance - you have virtually no chance. This is because your arguments will likely be based on unrealistic legislative expectations.

IMPORTANT! EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW! AND NOW, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!

GOST is not just letters; it’s a state standard that clearly outlines the state's requirements for product quality, geometric dimensions, deviations from the ideal, and other parameters. Generally, GOSTs in the Russian Federation are advisory in nature, as stated in Part 1 of Article 26 of the Federal Law from 29.06.2015 N 162-FZ "On Standardization in the Russian Federation." However, under certain conditions, the application of GOSTs can become mandatory, such as when their application is stipulated by law or contract.

According to Government Decree of the Russian Federation No. 2425 dated 23.12.2021, a Unified List of Products Requiring Mandatory Compliance with GOST was approved. This list is available in open sources and includes numerous items, including construction materials like glass, concrete, rebar, insulation materials, colored pigments, construction mixes and solutions, paints and varnishes, plywood, etc. BUT! This long list does not include lumber, whether sawn: timber, boards, or dry planed: clapboard, planken, decking boards, deck boards, floorboards, and others.

So, the most important thing: if the product you are interested in is not on this list, its compliance with GOST is not mandatory.

Do You Buy a Toothbrush According to GOST?

So it is, indeed, included in the Unified List of Products Requiring Mandatory Compliance with GOST.

Let's discuss why certain types of products require mandatory compliance with state standards. This applies not only to crucial items like food or medicines, where mistakes can lead to poisoning but also to construction materials. For example, for windows and doors that must withstand wind loads, there is GOST 11214-2003 "Window and door blocks. Methods for determining resistance to wind load." These elements of building structures are critically important for ensuring the safety of buildings. Standards also apply to personal hygiene items, such as toothbrushes. GOST 6388-91 "Toothbrushes. General technical conditions" regulates their production, ensuring safety and quality. This confirms that some products in our lives must meet strict quality and safety requirements—since this concerns health and well-being.

However, despite the stringent standards for such products, this same list does not include any lumber! NONE! This is an interesting fact: you pay attention to GOST when buying a toothbrush, which seems quite amusing given the lack of similar requirements for lumber. This raises a question for consumers about the criteria for selection—should GOST be considered if the product being purchased doesn’t even require compliance? Therefore, when choosing a product, it’s important not only to look for GOST but also to evaluate the quality of the product itself.

Understanding all the above, you might begin to see the absurdity of the situation. On the packaging of toothbrushes, you are unlikely to look for GOST mentions, and advertising of these products rarely highlights state standards. But wooden products are often presented in the best light precisely due to references to GOST—as if saying: "The best or nothing." This clearly demonstrates how selectively and sometimes ironically we approach the issue of standards and product quality.

Outdated GOST Standards

GOST 8242-88: An Absurd and Outdated Standard

So again! It seems to us that if something is labeled with GOST, it means quality. You search for clapboard or floorboards, and voila—search engines happily present GOST 8242-88 on the first pages.

In modern times, such standards seem absurd. The world has changed, and equipment and machinery have improved. If in the distant USSR everything was done, say, on one type of machine, today the variety of equipment is astounding. That’s why different manufacturers’ boards have different sizes; this norm was established back in 1989! For example, one manufacturer’s decking board might be 27x140, while another’s is 28x142. We wrote about this separately, as the topic deserves special attention and there are many discussions and misleading posts on social media, which also mislead consumers. Please read our article "Decking Boards: Who Steals Millimeters or Why Board Sizes Differ Among Manufacturers, and Where to Find the Truth?" This will help you navigate not only decking boards but also planken, clapboard, and other profiled products from any type of wood.

Modern production lives not by GOSTs, but by the individual technical conditions of each manufacturer. Therefore, when you hear the loud mention of GOST, especially such an outdated one, think about how well the seller truly understands the subject. GOST is not always a guarantee of quality. That’s why be vigilant, analyze the information.

Outdated GOST Standards: The Absurdity of Relying on an Invalid Standard

The GOST standard that has long been obsolete! The person who cited it didn’t even bother to check that this GOST was canceled back in 1989—in the same USSR where it was developed, long before the rise of the internet and social media! What a revelation!

In the modern world, such metrics seem absurd. The world has changed, and so have equipment and machinery. If, in the distant USSR, everything was done on a single type of machine, today’s variety of equipment is astonishing. That’s why different manufacturers’ boards have different sizes, a norm established as far back as 1989! For instance, one manufacturer’s decking board might be 27x140, while another’s is 28x142. We’ve discussed this in detail, as the topic deserves special attention and there are numerous discussions and misleading posts on social media, which also mislead consumers. Please read our article "Decking Boards: Who Steals Millimeters or Why Board Sizes Differ Among Manufacturers, and Where to Find the Truth?" This will help you navigate when buying not only decking boards but also planken, clapboard, and other profiled products made from any type of wood.

Modern production does not adhere to GOSTs but to the individual technical conditions of each manufacturer. So, when you hear a loud mention of GOST, especially an outdated one, think about how well the seller understands the subject. GOST is not always a guarantee of quality. This is why it’s essential to be vigilant and analyze the information.

Surprising Discoveries

But even when numerous websites and social media platforms explain "what grade should be, how to determine the grade, how to distinguish the grade"—using examples like the one in the photo below from "writers-inventors"—they refer to GOST 8242-88. Ironically, even in this standard, you won’t find any letters like AB, A, BC, C, or Extra with PRIMA! The irony of all the internet myths is that those referencing it have never read it! If they had, they would know that in Russia, there has never been a letter-based grade division for profiled products—there were only two sorting options: for transparent coating and non-transparent coating. That’s it, nothing more! Here is an excerpt from this very GOST as proof!

So, if you encounter sellers trying to impress you with GOST 8242-88, filtered through their lack of knowledge, remember: real understanding of quality and standards doesn’t come from the number of mentions on the internet but from deep study of the material and direct contact with the production process.

The presence of GOSTs does not guarantee quality: errors arise due to the actions of builders and architects, who are often far removed from the realities of production. Colorful presentations and creative ideas from these "experts" on the internet and social media can be misleading, spreading incorrect recommendations and confusing consumers.

A and B Sitting on a Log: The Empty Promises of Foreign Standards and Their Real Consequences

A, B, C, and Their Derivatives: The Origin of Grading Letters

The letters A, B, and C in wood grading are not from the Russian alphabet but from the good old German DIN standard, developed back in 1917. Many people believe that using foreign terms like DIN lends weight to their arguments.

However, in Russia, referencing German DIN standards or any other foreign norms is illegal! Our laws require the use of exclusively Russian regulatory documents. Attempts to appeal to foreign standards can be seen as an attempt to manipulate facts.

When it comes to Euro cladding and other planed products, many websites and sellers mention the DIN standard, using the word "Euro" as if it automatically guarantees better quality, much like the term "Euro renovation" was once used. It’s laughable, to be honest! If your Euro cladding is made in Russia and you plan to plane and sell it in Russia, you must adhere to Russian norms. And so, with a mix of laughter, absurdity, and pain, we move forward...

As an expert with over 20 years of experience exporting wood to Europe, especially to Germany, let me share an observation: Germans themselves do not adhere strictly to DIN requirements when purchasing wood, because the real sorting conditions under this standard are so flexible that they allow for almost anything. If you delved into this standard, you might be shocked to learn how low the quality requirements for grade A can be.

That DIN No Longer Exists! "It's a Fiasco, Brother!!"

So again! Once more, "lies and provocation." The standard everyone so boldly cites no longer exists! It has been replaced! How about that, timber sales Ilons Musks or timber product gurus? Over time, standards have been replaced with newer regulations and additions, such as DIN EN 14519:2006-03. The art of copywriting in action: copying without common sense, intelligence, and knowledge is a bad idea. Don't believe me? Check it yourself! Everything I write is verifiable. I'll even give you a hint on where and how: since the standard is not Russian, check on German standards websites like DIN Media or Beuth Verlag. But remember, you'll have to pay! This isn't like in Russia, where all GOSTs and standards are available for free—no freebies with the Germans!

To close this topic, I'll add that DIN EN 14519:2006-03 classifies profiled softwood based on appearance into several classes. Depending on the type of wood, such as pine and spruce, there are three sorting classes. For other types of softwood, typically, two sorting classes are provided. There is also the possibility of determining a free grade, the conditions and characteristics of which can be agreed upon separately. Here lies the true sorrow and melancholy of the modern construction market: creating idols from norms and standards that do not fulfill their role. Don’t make idols of empty and unreliable sources of information. Moving on in the search for lumber...

Export Context

Hey brothers in Germany, Austria, and beyond, we export a lot of our larch products to you, including decking, cladding, and much more. Confirm and validate how we draft contracts and specify grades.

The Consequences of Misunderstanding Standards

Let’s see how this looks in real life. What does it all lead to? Generally, only to dissatisfied customers who believe they know exactly what the wood grade should be, although such a grade is not needed by them or anyone else.

Case 1: The Impatient Customer

I'll share an example from our correspondence on social media, maintaining confidentiality and hiding names and details: The essence is this: a young man wanted to order planken and needed it "tomorrow." But everywhere we state that we are a manufacturer, not a warehouse, and we have production times. Tomorrow is practically impossible. In the end, we parted ways... A few days later, he sent a photo of the product he bought elsewhere, and... it didn’t look great. But it’s not that simple! Many immediately start blaming the forest, the manufacturer... the supplier? But those supplying are not at fault. Suppliers are often market sellers who openly claim to be manufacturers, owning one warehouse for all, with a dozen websites for one sales manager. They need to sell warehouse goods and meet sales targets. They are not to blame for what you imagined or saw somewhere, maybe read, about what grade AB should be, or any other grade. Before placing an order, did you ask what their grade AB is, what kind of knots could be there, whether there could be cracks, and how many knots there could be? Did you ask if it suits your requirements before signing a contract? Or was there no contract at all? No, because maybe it was too lazy to do, or you blindly followed something you saw and read once? But then, it’s not too lazy to find someone to blame and complain about quality, writing angry reviews... And the seller has sales targets to meet! Is the supplier at fault? No! They have such technical conditions for grade AB. And those who write and show photos with no knots can mislead, and often, that’s how it goes. Every seller, attention—SELLER, not a manufacturer, chooses how and what to sell and how to grade the product. "AB" is a myth. "Elite extra," "Selected extra"—these are all seller tricks...

Case 2: The Disappointed Builder

A builder ordered 200 m2 of "extra," but something entirely different arrived, with knots, not meeting the expectations of clean boards everyone envisions as "extra." The complaint response was: "You didn’t order elite extra; you should have ordered elite!" And no matter how upset you are, the sellers are technically correct. Absurd and ridiculous situation, right? But such cases are common.

How to understand grades and prices? How to buy? Why does everyone refer to GOST 8486-86? Why is it inappropriate to blame for "mixed grades?" Why is there no concept of "grade mixing"? How to buy correctly to avoid mistakes? What does the court explain?

Click to proceed to part two of the article