Timber floor grading categorises wood flooring products based on specific visual characteristics. Understanding these gradings will help you narrow down the products you need to achieve your desired design aesthetic for your flooring project.

What are timber floor grades?

Timber floor grading is a simple method to categorise the product based on how prominent certain natural features and characteristics are on the timber. Grades do not indicate lower or higher quality, but rather serve as a visual guide which, when understood, can help you narrow down your product selection to those that will achieve the desired look and aesthetic you seek for your project.

These characteristics can include colour variation, knots, filler and sapwood, which are all much loved, natural and beautiful characteristics of timber and are not product defects.

Prime Grade

Prime Grade

Typically, Prime grade planks have few, if any knots and these will be small in size. There will also be a small amount of sapwood and filler, if any at all. Where filler is used, its colour is chosen carefully to complement the wood; the colour of the filler may vary from batch to batch. There will also be a relatively small amount of colour variation allowed in Prime grade timber.

If you are looking to achieve a sleek, modern, and contemporary design aesthetic, a Prime board could be the best option for your project.

Select or Classic Grade

Classic Grade

Select or Classic grade products will typically be a mix of mostly prime boards and planks that may have some knots. Slightly larger knots are allowed in this grade. Heartwood and colour variation should be expected and there may be some cracks across the growth ring, sapwood and filler.

The colour of the filler is carefully selected to complement the wood rather than to match it exactly and it may vary from batch to batch.

Select grade is perfect for projects where you're after a clean look with a hint of natural features.

Character Grade

Character Grade

Character grade will include heartwood and sapwood, allowing a wider range of colour variation. Knots are larger, and you should expect cracks around the growth ring and some possibly between the rings.

Filler will be used, the colour of which is carefully selected to complement the wood rather than to match it exactly and it may also vary from batch to batch.

Character grade is perfect for projects where you would like the timber’s natural characteristics to be more visible.

Rustic or Natural Grade

Rustic Grade

Natural or Rustic grade timber allows for a virtually limitless size and amount of knots. Heartwood will be used and there will be colour variation, sapwood and filler. You should also expect cracks across the growth ring and possibly some cracks between the rings.

The colour of the filler is carefully selected to complement the wood rather than to match it exactly and it may have batch to batch variation, much like the other grades.

Similar to Character grade, Rustic grade is perfect for projects where you wish to further showcase the natural markings and textures of timber.

Ready to explore the wonderful world of wood flooring?

If you would like further help or have any questions about timber floor grading or timber flooring in general, book a complimentary interior design consultation with Simone, jump on our LiveChat on our website, or get in touch for assistance.

Architecture & Design Team

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