Hardwood Floor Grades
The appearance of the hardwood is determined by its grade. This is determined by the grain structure of the wood and each grade is equally strong but, will give your hardwood a different look.
Clear Hardwood Grade – A clear wood grade consists up of minimal character marks embedded within the hardwood that will provide you with a uniform appearance.
Select Hardwood Grade – A select wood grade (Resembles First Wood Grade) consists up of the natural color variations which will include the woods veins, knots, and etc.
Common Hardwood Grade – A common wood grade consists up of two forms, No.1 Common (Resembles Second Wood Grade) and No.2 Common (Resembles Third Wood Grade). No.1 Common will contain more of the woods natural characteristics than either the clear wood grades or select wood grades. This grade is often used because of these natural characteristics that they will bring into any room. No.2 Common contains more of a rustic appearance that will emphasize the species of wood.
Hardwood Floor Cuts
At the angle hardwood flooring is cut will determine how the finished product will look. There are three different variations at which this is done.
Plainsawn Hardwood Cut – The plainsawn cut is the most common hardwood flooring cut. This is mainly due to the fact that the cuts are very pleasing to the eye, it is easily cut and the varied grain appearances stand out.
Quartersawn Hardwood Cut – The quartersawn cut is more expensive than plainsawn hardwood flooring cut. However this provides greater wear resistance, durability to humidity and will show off the uniform grains and ray flecks.
Riftsawn Hardwood Cut – The riftsawn cut is more expensive than plainsawn hardwood flooring cut. This is very similar to quartersawn hardwithout the large ray flecks.