Grades Of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood floors are an elegant and timeless addition to any home. But with so many options available, selecting the right hardwood grade for your home can feel like a daunting task. In this article, we’ll explain the different grades of hardwood flooring and how to choose the right one for your home.

What is Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring is a type of flooring made from real wood. It is available in many different types of wood, such as oak, maple, cherry, and walnut. Hardwood floors can be either solid wood or engineered wood. Solid wood is made from one piece of wood, while engineered wood is made from multiple layers of wood.

Types of Hardwood Flooring Grades

Hardwood flooring is available in four different grades: Select, No.1 Common, No.2 Common, and No.3 Common. Each grade has its own unique characteristics and is suitable for different types of rooms in the home.

Select Grade

The select grade is the highest quality of hardwood flooring available. It is made from the best quality wood and has the fewest knots and blemishes. Select grade hardwood is the most expensive option and is usually used in formal or high-traffic areas.

No.1 Common Grade

No.1 common grade hardwood is still of a high quality, but it will contain more knots and blemishes than the select grade. It is usually used in informal or low-traffic areas of the home.

No.2 Common Grade

No.2 common grade hardwood is of an average quality and is often used in bedrooms and other low-traffic areas. It contains more knots and blemishes than the No.1 common grade.

No.3 Common Grade

No.3 common grade hardwood is the lowest quality of hardwood flooring available and is usually used in basements and other low-traffic areas. It contains the most knots and blemishes.

How to Choose the Right Hardwood Flooring Grade

When choosing the right hardwood flooring grade for your home, you’ll need to consider where the flooring will be installed and how much traffic it will receive. For example, if the flooring will be installed in a formal area of the home, such as a living room or dining room, then you should opt for the select grade. If the flooring will be installed in a low-traffic area, such as a bedroom or basement, then you may want to opt for the No.2 or No.3 common grade.

Conclusion

Hardwood flooring is available in four different grades, each with its own unique characteristics. When selecting the right grade for your home, you’ll need to consider where the flooring will be installed and how much traffic it will receive. With the right hardwood flooring grade, you can enjoy beautiful and timeless floors that will last for years to come.