Wood Flooring Grades
The beauty of wood is that each and every plank is unique.
Below is what you can expect to see from each of our wood floor grades.
Prime Grade
- Prime grade has few, if any knots
- Any Knots will be of minimal size
- Relatively small amount of color variation in the wood itself
- There will also be a minimal amount of sapwood and filler, if any at all.
- The color of the filler is intended to complement the natural structure of the wood, where features such as knots contrast with the surrounding wood, and it may vary from batch to batch.
Select (or "Classic") Grade
- Mix of almost prime boards with other planks.
- Slightly larger knots are allowed in this grade.
- Heartwood and color variation in the wood should be expected and there may be some checks (cracks across the growth ring), sapwood and filler.
- The color of the filler is carefully selected to complement the wood rather than to match it exactly and it may vary from batch to batch.
Character Grade
- Include both heartwood and sapwood
- Allows a wider range of color variation.
- Knots are larger
- You should expect checks (cracks across the growth ring) and possibly some end shake (cracks between the rings).
- Filler will be used, the color of which is carefully selected to complement the wood rather than to match it exactly, and it may vary from batch to batch.
Rustic Grade
- Limitless size and number of knots
- Heartwood will be used
- There will be color variation, sapwood and filler; you should also expect checks (cracks across the growth ring) and possibly some end shake (cracks between the rings).
- The color of the filler is carefully selected to complement the wood rather than to match it exactly and it may vary from batch to batch
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Knots and Filler
A knot is either the base of a side branch or a dormant bud around which the grain flows. A knot is sometimes replaced by filler and this may be of various colors: white, grey, brown and black are shown here.
Sapwood
Sapwood is the living part of the tree through which water and sap flow. It tends to be lighter in color than the heartwood, and certain fuming, smoking and coloring processes emphasize it since it doesn’t react to these treatments to the same degree. By definition sapwood contains more moisture, however this is no cause for concern since all Havwoods’ wood has been carefully dried and its stability is ensured when supplied in an engineered form.
Medullary Rays, Checks and Shakes
These white, ribbon-like medullary rays are an indication that the plank has been crafted from quarter-sawn wood. Checks and shakes usually occur at the end of a board and may be cut off.
Seeing is believing.
An in-person, or even virtual, showroom appointment provides a close look at all the different elements of wood floor collections.