Cuts and Grades of Wood Flooring

Once trees are felled they are milled or manufactured into the final flooring product. The characteristics of the products they ultimately become are determined by the way they are cut and graded. These exacting standards ensure consistency throughout the industry.

Cuts

The way the trees are cut is important because of direction of the grain. Natural moisture changes in the environment cause wood to expand and contract parallel to the annual rings (across the grain). The cutting specification is in relation to the angle of grain as it goes through the saw. The industry standard cutting grades dictate the direction and angles required for specific types of flooring.

• Plain (Flat) Sawn

Flooring manufactured with grain or annual rings running across the width of the boards is called “plain” or “ flat” Sawn.

• Quarter Sawn

Flooring manufactured with grain running at right angles to the face or across the thickness, is called “quarter” sawn. In a cross section the angle of the annual ring tangent to the face of the piece to be between 45º and 90º.

• Rift Sawn

Rift sawn is similar to quarter sawn with a slightly different cut angle. In a cross section the angle of the annual ring tangent to the face of the piece to be between 30º and 60º.

Given these definitions it’s easy to see that if the board is flat sawn it will expand and contract across the width of the board in moisture variations. In contrast the quarter sawn board will expand and contract through the depth of the board causing it to get thinner and thicker. Because of this the quarter sawn boards will have considerably more stability that does not fluctuate as much due to season change as does plain sawn.

• Peeled

Engineered (laminated) wood flooring requires the log to be peeled. When trees are selected for peeling they are transported to the flooring mill and kept wet by sprinkler system or in ponds. Prior to peeling, the logs are saturated in hot water and live steam for 24 hours. This softens the log to a point of pliability. They are then fitted to a large lathe and turned at high RPM’s as a sharp blade peels the wood off until the log is gone. The result is veneer to be used in the final laminated products.

Grades

Standardized wood floor covering grades are determined by the way the wood looks. The fewer defects such as knots, wormholes and splits the better the grade. Grades do not determine the strength or functionality of the wood.

Grades also vary from species to species and include engineered wood flooring. The individual grading rules for each species are industry wide and very specific.  Although specifications for individual species are precise there are some common terms associated with grading groups of woods.

The following grade descriptions are associated with Oak flooring. The same grading terminology is applied to Ash, American Black Cherry, and American Black Walnut.

• Clear

“Clear” grades are free of defects although they may contain minor imperfections.

• Select & Better

“Select & Better” is almost clear, but contains more natural characteristics such as knots and color variations.

• No. 1 Common

Number 1 common grade has variegated appearance, light and dark colors, knots, flags and wormholes.

• No. 2 Common

Number 2 common grades are rustic in appearance and allow all wood characteristics of the species.

Similar grading, but different terminology, the following grades apply to Beech, Birch, Hard Maple, Hickory and Pecan.

• First Grade

“First” grade flooring has the best appearance, natural color variations and limited character marks.

• Second Grade

“Second” grade flooring is variegated in appearance with varying sound wood characteristics of species.

• Third Grade

“Third” grade flooring is rustic in appearance allowing all wood characteristics of the species.

There are also special grades for some species and combinations of grades for others. Engineered (laminated) wood flooring is graded using the “Select”, “No. 1 Common” and “No. 2 Common” terminology. Pre-finished wood flooring graded “Prime”,  “Standard” and “Tavern”.

Regardless of the type and style of wood flooring you may have, FloorCare Specialists, has the skills and knowledge to properly clean, maintain and or restore your floor.  Contact us today for a free, on site evaluation of your wood floor care needs.

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