Wooden Flooring Grading Rules
When buying a hardwood floor you may be bombarded by all sorts of terms and phrases related to the appearance of the wood, known as the 'grading rules'. Every species of wood has its own grading rules so make sure you ask your hardwood flooring company to provide you with the grading rules for the species of wood you are considering. At Türgon we work mainly with oak and here are our three grades;
Rustic Oak
Rustic grade is characterised by a mix of both flat cut and quarter cut light oak. Rustic grade will have colour variation and knots up to 35mm in diameter with no more than 5 knots per board. There may also be some additional light healthy knots and pin knots, both single and cats glove, with a diameter up to 5mm. All knots where necessary will be repaired, filled and sanded. Rustic grade will not contain bark pockets, sapwood or worm holes.
Prime Grade
Prime grade is characterised by a mix of both flat cut and quarter cut light oak. Prime grade has little or no colour variation but can have knots with a diameter of no more than 5mm and a maximum of 2 knots per board. There may also be some single pin knots. Apart from this prime grade is completely knot free. Knots where necessary will be repaired, filled and sanded. Prime grade contains no bark pockets, sapwood or worm holes.
Quarter Sawn
Quarter sawn grade is characterised by quarter cut light oak only. Quarter sawn grade is knot free and has uniform colour (discoloration not permitted). Quarter sawn grade contains no bark pockets, sapwood or worm holes.
Here are our tips to make sure you get the flooring you expect:
- Don't make your choice of flooring from a small sample, as these can be misleading.
- Ask your supplier to furnish you with the grading rules for their products.
- Visit your hardwood flooring supplier's showroom to see larger areas of the floor concerned.
- Ask to see (pictures of) installations using the timber you're interested in
- Finally, remember wood is a natural material and there will be variation from batch to batch. This is part of its beauty.