Hmm.. interesting..
The biggest problem with grading timber issue is that in State of North Carolina, all timbers must be inspected and graded prior to structural uses. Even with the engineered stamp plan, timbers still need to be graded and I have already contact TP Inspection Inc. and they said they can inspect timbers for $80 an hour.
Perhaps there has to be a way for TF Guild to petition that special permission for certain grade stamp should be an expectation when using a Timber Frame method?? I mean, it makes more sense to say that a #2 8x8 post is more safe to use than a #1 2x8 wall studs with 16" OC?? Such an exemption should be an expectation since some states such as Maine (If I am correct??) exempt large size log from being graded. If Maine exempt it then we should try to petition similar expectation with all other states? Then it would make sense to be at least familiar and know-how to identify which timber we are about to use is #2 or #1 prior to using it for structure?
