Flooring Grades

All hardwoods are available in different grades-grading does NOT reflect the quality of the hardwood neither the quality of the milling.

Wear and tear takes place on the finish;hardness should not be primary consideration for choosing the right flooring material.

WHITE ASH GRADING

YELLOW BIRCH GRADING

BEECH GRADING

AMERICAN CHERRY GRADING

RED OAK GRADING

HARD MAPLE GRADING

AMERICAN WALNUT GRADING

*GRADE SPECIFICATIONS FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING*
CLEAR-available only as unfinished domestic and prefinished & unfinished exotic hardwood floor	*SELECT AND BETTER*
Best appearance. Selected for uniformity of light color. Slight variation in the natural sapwood color (sticker stain is not considered a defect). Limited small character marks. Pin knots allowed. Mineral streaks of less than 1/8" x 1" (3 x 25 mm). No checks or splits. Minimum length: 12" (30 cm)	Combination of clear and select grades. The most standard high grade hardwood flooring sold on the world market. Excellent appearance. Variation in the natural sapwood color (sticker stain is not considered a defect). Limited character marks. Sound knots of less than 1/8" x 4" (3 x 100 mm). No stains, checks, or splits. Minimum length: 12" (30 cm).
SELECTED/DIAMOND	*PACIFIC/VOUGE/ATLANTIC/STANDARD/#1 COMMON*
Combination of Select/Better and Pacific/Vouge/Atlantic grades. 65% -35% Some manufacturers have limited supplies of this grade Very good appearance. Variation in the natural sapwood color (sticker stain is not considered a defect). Some limited character marks. Sound knots of less than 1/8" x 4" (3 x 100 mm). No stains, checks, or splits. Minimum length: 12" (30 cm).	Variegated appearance. All color variations allowed. Sound knots less than 3/8" (10 mm), flags, worm holes, and mineral streaks allowed. No splits, holes, or voids. Minimum length: 10" (25 cm).
*COLONIAL/NATURAL/NATURAL COMMON*	*RUSTIC very limited supply available in prefinished brands*
Some rustic appearance. All color variations allowed. All characteristics of the species allowed. A serviceable floor after knot holes, worm holes, checks, splits, and other imperfections are filled and finished. Minimum length: 10" (25 cm)	Very rustic appearance. All color variations,some open knots less than 1/4" allowed. All characteristics of the species allowed. A serviceable floor after knot holes, worm holes, checks, splits, and other imperfections are filled and finished. Minimum length: 10" (25 cm)

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES	HARD MAPLE	YELLOW BIRCH	RED OAK	WHITE ASH	BEECH	CHERRY	WALNUT
Specific Gravity	0,659	0,608	0,612	0,613	0,667	0,551	0,594
Density kg/m3	740	670	690	690	750	610	660
Hardness	7290	5930	6170	7050	6490	4630	5910
Bending strength MP	115	106	98,7	108	116	87,1	103
Stiffness MP	14100	14100	11900	12800	14000	11900	13100

WORKING PROPERTIES	HARD MAPLE	YELLOW BIRCH	RED OAK	WHITE ASH	BEECH	CHERRY	WALNUT
Stability	Good	Good	Very Good	Very Good	Good	Good	Excelent
Sandability	Good	Good	Good	Fair	Very Good	Excelent	Very Good
Nailability	Good	Good	Excelent	Good	Fair	Fair	Fair
Stainability	Good	Very Good	Good	Good	Good	Very Good	Very Good