Re: Grading and Milling Standards - Unfinished Wood Flooring, From [NOFMA]
Hardwood Flooring Grade
Flooring is categorized into different grades by selecting pieces according to specific characteristics, ensuring consistency and uniformity within each grade. While every grade of M-U Hardwood Flooring is guaranteed for durability, each provides its own unique look for the floor.
Clear & Premium
Clear is the highest grade available in oak and other domestic wood, providing exceptionally clear boards and exemplary wood color. Premium is the highest grade for most of exotic wood, that is free of defects, though it may have minor imperfections.
Select & Better
The most popular grade for oak and other domestic wood, Select & Better contains Select and Clear grades.
Select
Very clear grain combined with natural characteristics, such as sound knots and rich color variations, give a warm rustic look.
Common
Common wood (No. 1 and No. 2) has more natural characteristics such as knots and color variations than either clear or select grades, and often is chosen because of these natural features and the character they bring to a room. No. 1 Common has a variegated appearance, light and dark colors, knots, flags and wormholes. No 2 Common is rustic in appearance and emphasize all wood characteristics of the species.
First
First grade wood has the best appearance, natural color variations and limited character marks.
Second
Second grade wood is variegated in appearance with varying sound wood characteristics of species.
Third
Third grade wood is rustic in appearance allowing all wood characteristics of the species.
Cuts
The angle at which a board is cut determines how the finished product looks. Wood flooring is either plainsawn, quartersawn or riftsawn.
Plainsawn
Plainsawn is the most common cut. The board contains more variation than the other two cuts because grain patterns resulting from the growth rings are more obvious.
Quartersawn
Quartersawing produces less board feet per log than plainsawing and is therefore more expensive. Quartersawn wood twists and cups less and wears more evenly.
Riftsawn
Riftsawn is similar to quartersawing, but the cut is made at a slightly different angle.
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