A Guide to the Different Grades of Hardwood
Select-grade hardwood flooring is the highest grade, featuring uniform color and grain, long planks, and minimal knots. It's ideal for sleek, contemporary designs.
Hardwood for flooring is typically separated into four or five different grades. The highest grade of wood is select grade, which is the most uniform and expensive. However, it is not necessarily the most interesting or best-looking. The lowest grade of wood is often called tavern grade, though sometimes odd lots are considered the lowest grade. Each type of grade has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are the grades:
Select-Grade
Select-grade hardwood flooring is the highest grade of wood. It has the most uniform coloring and grain. It is also the grade with the longest planks and the fewest knots. This uniform wood creates very consistent flooring, often used for modern designs that need to look sleek and contemporary.
Natural Grade
Natural grade wood is a step below select grade. There are a few small knots in each plank, and some color differences might occur due to mineral coloring, a natural effect of wood. As the tree grows, differences in minerals and nutrients can change the wood's color. These variations are present in small portions in natural grade wood flooring.
Rustic-Grade
Rustic-grade wood features wide color variations, sometimes even within the same plank. There are also knots and mineral coloring effects. Rustic-grade wood is a great choice for creating a rustic look. While it is structurally consistent and stable, it is visually diverse, giving an antique appearance without structural defects.
Utility Grade
Utility grade wood is often considered the lowest grade of wood. It will feature color differences, knots, and mineral coloring, as well as some machining defects. These defects typically do not affect the wood's structural integrity but include elements such as burns and scratches.
Odd Lots
Odd lots are often not considered a grade of wood because there is no standard to them. Odd lots are factory seconds with blemishes and damage, sold as-is. They might have structural defects and irregularities that require discarding some pieces. They are great for creating a rustic look at a low cost but are very inconsistent.
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