Are there different grades of hardwood flooring?

When it comes to hardwood flooring, there are different grades. Different grades have different characteristics and coloring variations. The grades that we at LL Flooring deal most with are Select, Natural, Rustic, and Utility. Natural Grade has some color variation, mineral coloring, and small knots.

What is cabin grade hardwood?

Cabin grade flooring is considered the lowest of all the hardwood flooring grades and includes the pieces that did not make the cut to be a higher grade. It is also commonly referred to as shop grade, rustic grade or tavern grade flooring because of its rustic characteristics.

What is the strongest hardwood flooring?

Generally speaking, the hardest wood for flooring is Ipe (or Lapacho). However, this is very hard to find, due to its rarity. This also makes it a very expensive flooring product. Therefore, more widely available, and hardwearing are Hickory and Maple flooring.

What is rustic grade hardwood?

This term is used by the flooring industry to denote hardwood that falls below the better natural grade flooring, which is suitable for all residential indoor installations. Rustic grade hardwood sometimes is called #2, tavern or cabin grade flooring. Its surface quality is poorer than natural grade flooring.

What is the best grade of hardwood?

Grades are based on the amount of usable clear material in a board. The highest grade boards are FAS and Select, followed by #1 Common and #2 Common.

What is the best grade of wood flooring?

Prime Grade
Prime Grade is the highest grade of wood flooring. It is also often described as AB-high grade. Cut from the centre of the log, this grade of wood is uniform in its appearance and has very few knots. If this quality of wood grade does contain knots, they tend to be small and unobtrusive.

Is Hickory good hardwood flooring?

The answer: absolutely! As far as domestic lumber goes, hickory is one of the most durable wood flooring choices available. It requires minimal maintenance, it’s one of the more water-resistant wood flooring options, and it has a super-unique look and charm.

What is the most scratch resistant wood flooring?

Most Scratch-Resistant Wood Flooring Any wood with a high rating on the Janka hardness scale is a smart choice for those who need scratch-resistant flooring. Ebony and Brazilian cherry are both excellent options.

What is the hardest most durable wood for floors?

Hickory: The Hardest American Wood Species. Hickory is the most durable wood species grown domestically with a Janka rating around 1820. So while there might be some disadvantages of hickory flooring, strength is not among them.

Where does tavern grade wood flooring come from?

Tavern-grade hardwood planks are produced from the outer edge of the tree. At the inner core of a tree, the wood is prized for its quality and lack of imperfections. The closer you move to the outer edge, the more flaws and unique characteristics begin to show.

Which is the best grade of wood flooring to buy?

Tavern grade typically is the most economical grade of hardwood flooring. It often is sold at discount prices from flooring suppliers. Depending on wood species and the retailer, tavern grade can be as little as half the cost of higher quality grades.

What does rustic grade hardwood flooring stand for?

What are the different grades of oak flooring?

Each grade has its own particular characteristics and appearance. Especially pertaining to Oak hardwood flooring, the 3 most commonly used grades are: Select, #1 Common, and #2 Common, which is also known as “Rustic” grade, or “Builder’s” grade.

Are there different grades of hardwood flooring?

When it comes to hardwood flooring, there are different grades. Different grades have different characteristics and coloring variations. The grades that we at LL Flooring deal most with are Select, Natural, Rustic, and Utility. Natural Grade has some color variation, mineral coloring, and small knots.

What is the best grade of hardwood?

Grades are based on the amount of usable clear material in a board. The highest grade boards are FAS and Select, followed by #1 Common and #2 Common.

What is builder grade hardwood flooring?

Builder grade flooring is a mix of 70% Natural and 30% Rustic grades. All color variations, plus knots, piths and worm holes are accepted. Cottage is a combination of Select (45%), Natural (40%) and Rustic (15%) grades. All color variations, plus knots, piths and worm holes are accepted.

How can you tell the quality of hardwood floors?

The thickness of the hardwood floor determines its wear layer. The wear layer is the top layer; the surface that is exposed to foot traffic. The thicker the wear layer, the more durable is the floor. Ideally, you should consider hardwoods floors with a wear layer that is more than 3/16 inches.

What is the best grade of oak flooring?

For oak flooring, there are 3 main grades: select, Number 1 common and Number 2 common. Select grade is generally considered the highest grade as it has the least color variation. It costs the more.

What is 1st quality hardwood?

Select quality floors are #1 quality. They will be what the manufacturer intends for the floor to look like. Very little imperfection, color variation, and a good mixture of board lengths will be expected. Cabin Grade quality floors are essentially 2nds. Cabin Grade means you will see more “character” in the flooring.

What is the most expensive hardwood floor?

Check out the ten most expensive wood options below.

• Bocote ($32.99/foot)
• Bubinga ($18.99/foot)
• Dalbergia ($14-16/foot)
• Purple Wood / Purpleheart ($12/foot)
• Lignum Vitae ($17/lb or $90/foot)
• Pink Ivory ($7-8/foot)
• Bloodwood ($11.99/foot)
• Ebony ($120/foot)

What is #2 grade lumber?

No. 2 lumber is the most common grade for framing. Lumber of this grade contains few defects, but knots are allowed of any quality as long as they are well spaced and do not exceed the size regulations.

What color hardwood floor is best for resale?

Dark stained hardwood flooring is by far the best selection when it comes to overall popularity and resale value. Some of the best darks stains for wood are espresso, dark walnut, and antique brown.

What is the most popular hardwood floor color?

Gray flooring, particularly gray wood, has grown exponentially over the last decade and has quickly become the most popular trend, not just for flooring, but for homes in general. In addition to looking chic and trendy, gray floors set the tone of a cool, contemporary home.

What are the different grades of wood flooring?

As a rule of thumb, the smaller the knots, the lower the sap content and the more uniform the colour, the higher the grade of wood and (of course) the higher the price. When it comes to deciding which wood grade is best for your wooden flooring, there are four grades of wood to choose from. Each grade gives a slightly different look.

What are the dimensions of rustic grade wood flooring?

Appropriate locations and uses include: Rustic grade hardwood flooring is found in the same dimensions as natural grade flooring, such as 3/4-inch by 2 1/2-inch. Other common widths for rustic grade hardwood are 3 1/4-inch, 4-inch, and 4 1/4-inch.

What does prime grade wood flooring look like?

A Prime grade floor will have a very uniformed look. Select Grade. Select Grade is the next grade of wood flooring. Often described as ABC grade, this wood contains some knots, but less than Natural grade, some sap and some colour variation.

What kind of wood is best for hardwood flooring?

Select Grade – will have consistent color and grain variation throughout except for Maple and Hickory which can have clean heart and sap wood. Walnut will be mostly heartwood but will contain some sap wood. Almost completely free of knots and mineral streaks.