Hardwood flooring facts
Species of Wood
There are many wood flooring species, domestic and imported, available to
the consumer today.
The appearance of the wood determines how it is "graded." All grades
are equally strong and serviceable, yet afford the consumer different looks.
Oak and ash have four basic grades when it comes to classifying wood flooring
"Clear" is free of defects though it may have minor imperfections.Wood
flooring in this category tends to be very consistent with little mineral straeking
and knots.
"Select" is almost clear, but contains more natural characteristics
such as knots and color variations.
"Common" grades (No. 1 and No. 2) have more markings than either clear
or select and are often chosen because of these natural features and the character
they bring to a room. No. 1 Common has a variegated appearance, light and dark
colors, knots, flags and worm holes. No 2 Common is rustic in appearance and
allow all wood characteristics of the species.
Hard maple, beech, birch and pecan have three grades:
"First" has the best appearance, natural color variations and limited
character marks.
"Second" is variegated in appearance with varying sound wood characteristics
of species.
"Third" is rustic in appearance allowing all wood characteristics of
the species.
Wood Flooring Cuts
The angle at which a board is cut makes big differences in how the finished
product looks. Wood flooring is either plainsawn, quartersawn or riftsawn.
Plainsawn is the most common cut. The board contains more variation than the
other two cuts because figure patterns resulting from the growth rings are
more conspicuous.
Quartersawing produces less board feet per log than plainsawing and is therefore
more expensive. Quartersawn wood twists and cups less and wears more evenly.
Riftsawn is similar to quartersawing, but the cut is made at
a slightly different angle.
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