Select
"Select" is almost clear, but contains more natural characteristics such as knots and color variations.
Common
"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.
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
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.
Quartersawn
Quartersawn produces less board feet per log than plainsawn and is therefore more expensive. Quartersawn wood twists and cups less and wears more evenly.
Riftsawn
Riftsawn is similar to quartersawn, but the cut is made at a slightly different angle.
Varieties of Solid Wood Flooring
There are various domestic and imported wood species used for wood flooring. The most common of these are Red Oak, White Oak and Maple.
Following are the most common domestic and imported woods used for flooring. The various hardwood species differ in their degrees of hardness, but most are suitably durable for use in the average home.
Domestic
Ash / Beech / Birch / Cherry (Black) / Douglas Fir / Heart Pine (Antique) / Hickory/Pecan / Maple (Hard) / Mesquite / Oak (Red) / Oak (White) / Pine (Southern Yellow) / Walnut (American Black)
Imported
Brazilian Cherry / Cypress (Australian) / Jarrah / Mahogany (Santos) / Merbau / Padauk (African) / Purpleheart / Teak (Thai/Burmese) / Wenge
What are the advantages of solid wood flooring?
Although every hardwood board will predictably share the characteristics of its species such as - oak, ash, alder, maple, cherry, hickory and poplar- each board displays a face which is uniquely its own, having been formed over the long lifetime of the individual tree from which it came.
*Pre-finished Wood Flooring*
Pre-finished wood flooring is factory sanded and finished flooring that only needs installation. Pre-finished wood flooring should only be sanded once, or twice in its lifetime, at the very most. Pre-finished wood flooring is produced in:
Strip - in thickness’ of 3/8" and 5/8" (tongue & groove) in widths of 2-1/4" and 3"
Parquet - geometrical patterns composed of individual wood slats held in place by mechanical fastening or an adhesive. Many various sizes and patterns available.
Varieties of Pre-finished Wood Flooring
Pre-finished wood flooring comes in six species used for wood flooring. Ash, Brazilian Cherry, Maple, Pecan, Red Oak and White Oak.
What are the advantages of Pre-finished Wood Flooring?
The installation process of Pre-finished wood flooring is several days faster than the installation of Solid wood flooring since there is no sanding involved. There is no dust created during the installation of Pre-finished wood flooring. There are seven thin coats of polyurethane (applied at the factory) vs. the three coats applied to solid, unfinished wood flooring
*Laminated Flooring*
Artificial laminate surfaces of plastic, foil or paper often are printed with photographs of wood grain patterns and bonded to composite board. Remember the terms "oak, maple and cherry finish" may simply refer to the color or the photographic reproduction of the wood's grain-it does not necessarily mean it is the authentic, natural hardwood. Laminate wood flooring is produced in:
Strip - thickness’ of 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" or 5/8" and in widths of 2 1/4" and 3"
Plank - thickness’ of 5/16", 3/8", 1/2" or 5/8" and in widths of 3" to 8"
Parquet - geometrical patterns composed of individual wood slats held in place by mechanical fastening or an adhesive. Many various sizes and patterns available.
Varieties of Laminated Flooring
Most laminated wood flooring products are finished at the factory, and several finish options are available.
What are the advantages of Laminated Flooring?
Laminated flooring is more dimensionally stable and is ideal for glue-down installation or float-in installation above grade, on grade or below grade, including basements and humid climates. Laminated flooring is used for areas where solid wood flooring may not be appropriate, such as basements or utility rooms.
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