Different Grades of Oak Floors

If you are thinking of adding the beauty of natural oak floors to your home, first you might want to become aware of the different grades available. Being aware of these grading rules established by the NOFMA may help you get exactly what you want when dealing with your manufacturer.

1. Clear Oak

Clear Oak consists mainly of heartwood and contains the least amount of marks and discoloration. This makes it appear smooth and uniform, yet allows for natural variations in color.

Allows:

• 3/8” of bright sapwood running the length of the strip so long it does not exceed 1” for 1/3 of the piece of wood
• Small pinworm holes, tiny burls, and other fine marks
• If these marks are not present, then one thin streak no longer than 3” is permitted every 6”

Standard Packaging: Bundles can be 1 ¼’ and longer. Average bundled or nested length is 3 ¾’

2. Select Oak

Select Oak contains both heartwood and sapwood, producing color variations.

Allows:

• An unlimited amount of sapwood on the face, with slight imperfections in the milling
• One small knot every 3”, burls, pinworm holes, and a reasonable amount of slightly open checks
• Brown streaks so long as they do not extend the entire length
• Two flag worm holes every 8’
• Slight face imperfections
• An intermittent brown machine burn no longer that 1/4'” admitted on the face
• Small amounts of bark allowed on back or sides
• ½” tongue on pieces permitted
• Open characters should be filled

Standard Packaging: Bundles are to be at least 1 ½” with an average length of 3 ¼”’ (bundled or nested).

3. No. 1 Common Oak

This grade contains prominent color variations and varying characters.

Allows:

• Broken knots with a diameter of over ½”, large grub wormholes, and splits running the length of the piece
• Checks and knotholes and other characters, but must be sound and readily fill
• Not more than 20" scant stock in thickness is allowed every 5'
• Minor machining imperfections
• An occasional dark machine burn not exceeding 1/2" wide, 1/64" deep, and not more than two every 3' permitted running across the face of the wood
• Sticker stain allowed
• 1/4" tongue allowed
• No extremely dark pieces allowed

Standard Packaging: Bundles are to be 1 ¼’ and longer with an average length of 2 ¾’ (bundled or nested).

4. No. 2 Common Oak

This grade of Oak has the most imperfections and is generally for utility use or for those who desire dramatic character marks in their flooring.

Not Admitted:

• Rotten or shattered ends
• Large broken knots (large knots and characters which will readily fill are permitted)
• Excessive poor millwork
• Dark machine burns that are deeper than 3/64”
• A limited number of pieces with no tongue and which may be face nailed are allowed

Standard Packaging: Bundles are to be 1 ¼’ and longer with an average length of 2 ¼’ (bundled or nested).

For more information about oak floors or related products, choose from one of the following links:

Wood Flooring | Bamboo Flooring | Hardwood Flooring