Beyond the obvious benefits—like durability, luxury and visual appeal—how much do you really know about hardwood flooring? It’s important to note that not all hardwoods are created equal. There are several factors to consider when choosing hardwood.
Once you’ve chosen the type of wood for your floor—such as pine or oak—you’ll need to select what grade of wood you will use. Grade is an industry term that refers to the value of hardwood flooring. The grading will have a significant impact on the appearance of your floor, but not necessarily its quality or durability. For instance, two differently graded woods may offer the same strength and longevity, but may have widely contrasting colors, grains and overall looks.
Most manufacturers of hardwood flooring—such as the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) and the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA)—grade their products based on standardized criteria. If you’re purchasing hardwood from a custom manufacturer, they may use their own private grading criteria.
What determines wood grade?
Most manufacturers determine grade based on a combination of the following factors:
- Consistency or variation of color
- Cut of wood, also referred to as character (fewer knots, stains and splits will result in a higher value)
- Tree species (rarer trees have a higher value)
- Surface texture type (hand-scraped has a higher value than smooth)
- Length of wood planks (longer wood sections have a higher value)
- Presence or absence of wood defects
If you’re purchasing hardwood that’s already finished and ready to install, you’ll likely choose from the following grades:
- Clear: This highly popular hardwood flooring grade boasts a smooth, uniform wood grain, consistent coloring and board length, and virtually no pinholes or knots.
- Select and Better (also known as First Grade): Only minimally lower than clear grade, this classification of wood also features a highly consistent color with very few knots or pinholes.
- #1 Common (also known as Second Grade): This grade will display more variations of color, a greater number of knots and pinholes, and more differences in board length.
- #2 Common (also known as Third Grade): Those seeking a more natural look may prefer this grade of wood, which is distinguished by a wider range of colors, shorter lengths of boards, and an even greater frequency of knots and pinholes.
- Cabin: As its name implies, cabin grade creates a rustic, untreated look. This type of wood has deeper knot holes, worm holes and color variations.
- Shorts: Rich in natural character, this most roughly-hewn grade of wood has the largest frequency of color variances, knots and pinholes.
Unfinished wood grades
If you’d rather start with unfinished wood and take care of the sanding and finishing yourself, you’ll likely choose from these grades:
- Clear: This highly popular hardwood flooring grade boasts a smooth, uniform wood grain, consistent coloring and board length, and virtually no pinholes or knots.
- Select and Better: Only minimally lower than clear grade, this classification of wood also features a highly consistent color with very few knots or pinholes.
- Exclusive or Country: This grade will display more variations of color, a greater number of knots and pinholes, and more differences in board length.
- Antique, Character, or Traditional: Those seeking a more natural look may prefer this grade of wood, which is distinguished by a wider range of colors, shorter lengths of boards, and an even greater frequency of knots and pinholes.
- Cabin or Tavern: As its name implies, cabin grade creates a rustic, untreated look. This type of wood has some unfilled knot holes, worm holes, finish defects and color variations.
Still have questions about hardwood grades or another characteristic of flooring materials? Give us a call at 770-575-8044 or send an email to info@selectfloorsmarietta.com. You can also request a consultation if you are considering flooring in North Atlanta.
