All our flooring grading is done in line with and using the NWFA Grading rules, these can be found on the NWFA website and are what we use if there is any discussion or disagreement around what is included or excluded in a grade. Below described grades are the minimums.
WHITE OAK GRADING
Character Grade
Contains a mix of Select Grade, 1 Common Grade and 2 Common Grades. Open characters such as checks and knot holes are admitted but must be sound and readily Fillable. May contain dark mineral, natural color variations, sapwood and heartwood. Some open defects are allowed with unlimited closed defects. This grade gives you a wide variation in both color and natural characters consisting of a mixture of grades and allowing for a floor with much longer planks. Often in Long boards all three of the grades can be found.
2ft-10ft - Average of 43"-54" or better
3ft-10ft -Average of 58"- 62" or better
4ft-10ft - Average of 72" - 90" or better
6ft-12ft - Average of 90" - 96" or better
Select Grade
Our most popular grade, SELECT & BETTER Grade is a mix of NWFA SELECT and CLEAR grades. It is mostly heartwood with a minimum number of character marks and discoloration that provides a uniform appearance while allowing for natural color variations. It may contain occasional small tight knots and other small natural character marks. Typical maximum Knot size is 1/8"-1/4" ( pencil eraser size or smaller) and not more than 1 of these every 3ft.
2ft-10ft - Average of 43"-54" or better
3ft-10ft -Average of 58"- 62" or better
4ft-10ft - Average of 72" - 90" or better
6ft-12ft - Average of 90" - 96" or better
Clear Grade
This is the Floor you need to specify, if you want uniformity, especially when using an invisible style finish. CLEAR Grade is a Heartwood floor with no/Min character marks. Minimal natural color variation in the hardwood resulting in a very consistent and uniform color. Grain pattern variation is not considered a defect. While NWFA makes allowance for some minor marks, they are the exception not the norm.
2ft-10ft - Average of 43"-54" or better
3ft-10ft - Average of 58"- 62" or better
4ft-10ft - Average of 72" - 90" or better
6ft-12ft - Average of 90" - 96" or better
Nominal lengths (+/-6") are allowed in any floor. XL products 6-12ft are usually sold with an allowance for up to 10% cut backs that may occur in the manufacturing/ finishing process. This helps both the installation process by alleviating the need to cut so many of the board down for around the walls and when shipping allows for a much better pallet that avoids being damaged in transit. CUSTOM LENGTHS ARE QUOTED DAILY Please ask your Salesperson for details.
WALNUT GRADING
Character Grade
MAINLY HEARTWOOD steamed American Black Walnut. Wider planks will be heavy Live sawn and are mainly cut from the center of the tree. Character marks such as checks, pith and knot holes are admitted but must be readily Fillable. May contain dark mineral, natural color variations, sapwood and heartwood. Some open defects are allowed with unlimited closed defects. This grade gives you a wide variation in natural characters consisting of a mixture of grades and allowing for a floor with much longer planks. Often in Long boards all three of the grades can be found. Narrower planks may contain some sapwood. Also available as a LIGHT Character grade which limits the maximum knot size
2ft-10ft - Average of 43"-54" or better
3ft-10ft - Average of 58"- 62" or better
4ft-10ft - Average of 72" - 90" or better
6ft-12ft - Average of 90" - 96" or better
Select Grade
HEAVY HEARTWOOD steamed American Black Walnut. Wider planks will be predominantly live sawn/Cathedral Cut . Heartwood would usually make up 90-95% or better of the floor. The Clear grade is not pulled out of this grade.
2ft-10ft - Average of 43"-54" or better
3ft-10ft - Average of 58"- 62" or better
4ft-10ft - Average of 72" - 90" or better
6ft-12ft - Average of 90" - 96" or better
CLEAR GRADE
A select Grade floor with an occasional pin knot allowed, and minimal to NO white sapwood. From a Technical aspect, the floor will be Graded Using the NWFA White oak Grading rules for a very uniform floor in terms of color and of look.
2ft-10ft - Average of 43"-54" or better
3ft-10ft - Average of 58"- 62" or better
4ft-10ft - Average of 72" - 90" or better
6ft-12ft - Average of 90" - 96" or better
Nominal lengths (+/-6") are allowed in any floor. XL products 6-12ft are usually sold with an allowance for up to 10% cut backs that may occur in the manufacturing/ finishing process. This helps both the installation process by alleviating the need to cut so many of the board down for around the walls and when shipping allows for a much better pallet that avoids being damaged in transit. FOR SAP FREE SPECIFICATIONS in Character or Light character options let us know your requirements. CUSTOM LENGTHS ARE QUOTED DAILY Please ask your Sales person for details.