Wood Flooring Grades

OAK & ASH (unfinished) Oak (graphic)
OAK (prefinished)
BEECH, BIRCH, MAPLE, PECAN Maple (graphics)
Wood Floor CUTS
Wood Floor SPECIES Chart

Grades:Oak & Ash Unfinished - Four(4)

Clear Red Oak	"Clear" is free of defects though it may have minor imperfections. See room setting photo of this species. This grade is further identified by cut, CLEAR PLAIN, CLEAR QUARTERED
Select & Better	"Select & Better" is almost clear, but contains more natural characteristics such as knots and color variations. See room setting photo of this species. This grade is further identified by cut, SELECT PLAIN, SELECT QUARTERED
# 1 Common	# 1 Common has a variegated appearance, light and dark colors, knots, flags and worm holes. See room setting photo of this species
# 2 Common	# 2 Common is rustic in appearance and allow all wood characteristics of the species. See room setting photo of this species

Common" grades (No. 1 and No. 2) have more markings than either clear or select and are often chosen because of these natural features and the character they bring to a room.

GRADING - The appearance of the wood determines how it is "graded." All grades are equally strong and serviceable, yet afford the consumer different looks. These rules are an Industry standard set by the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Associations (NOFMA)

Unfinished Grades - Four(4)

Grades:Oak Prefinished - Four(4)

Prime-This is the top grade and the overall appearance shall be good. The face of strips shall be selected for appearance after finishing. This grade includes characteristics found in the unfinished grades of CLEAR and SELECT grade

Standard-The face of strips may contain sound wood characteristics which are even and smooth after filling and finishing. This grade includes some characteristics found in the unfinished grades SELECT, NO.1 COMMON, and NO. 2 COMMON

Standard & Better-A combination of PRIME and STANDARD grade developing from the production run. See room setting photo of this species

Tavern/Cabin-
A limited amount of unfilled/unfinished open characters admitted. A limited amount of pieces with finish irregularities such as bubbles, small skips, lines, stain/color variation, surface handling scratches, minor trash, and the like are allowed.