The major difference in the current standards relates to the face grades for "A" grade doors. While WDMA indicates that "A" grade running match veneer is the standard for "A" grade doors. AWI indicates that "AA", balanced match is required on "A" grade doors. This difference has caused some confusion in specifications.

Although AWI did send out a bulletin to their membership which stated "most building standard doors are and should be AWI Custom Grade wood doors" (which allows "A" grade, running match veneers), many specifications still show AWI "A" grade, which would require a "AA" balance matched veneer face. While a manufacturer may be able to obtain these faces, the specifier should be aware that supply is limited and increased costs will occur.

The major differences between "AA" and "A" grade is that the flitch width is slightly narrower on A grade and balance matching requires each individual leaf in the face to be approximately the same width, whereas on running match, there is no such requirement.

Our standard door construction meets the WDMA "A" Grade standard, however on special requests we will construct doors as required, i.e., "AA" faces, balanced matched, etc., but keep in mind that these options add cost, extend lead-times and potentially unnecessary use of raw material resources.