Hardwood Flooring Grades

Wood flooring is graded by the manufacturers according to its appearance.

Please find below a hardwood floor grade guide to help you to determine the decorative finish that best suits you:

Grade A or Prime

• The face should be defect free
• No Sapwood allowed
• No Heart wood allowed
• No blue stain or cracking allowed
• Small health knots up max diameter of 5.4mm
• Uniform Colour with small, limited character marks

Grade B or Nature / Select

• Small streaks & burls allowed
• Slight imperfections
• Black lines allowed
• Black coloured knots up to max diameter of 2.5mm
• Healthy knots up max diameter of 5.4mm
• Slight colour variation

Grade C or Rustic

• Sapwood allowed on the face
• Streaks, pin worm holes & burls allowed
• Imperfections & knots allowed (max diameter of 35mm)
• Black / White coloured knot repair / Filler allowed

Grade D or Country

• More markings than grade C allowed
• Light & dark colours
• Knots & other chamfer marks allowed
• Heavy streaks, checks, worm holes, heart-wood, stains allowed
• Unlimited sapwood & knots

Taken from the perimeter of the trunk is DE Grade Timber. This grade celebrates the more rustic features of Oak; Large colour variations, Filler, Knots, Cracks and Sapwood, are common and all can be present and permissible whilst creating a characterful and dramatic floor when laid