Although every hardwood board will predictably share the characteristics of its species, each board has a face that is uniquely it’s own. During the approximately 60 years it takes for a hardwood to mature, each tree develops a one-of-a-kind grain pattern and texture. Even boards from the same tree will show significant variation in color. You can also see the effects of the minerals and other essential elements that the trees absorbed as they grew, but rest assured that none of the natural markings that characterize hardwood floors affect their durability or structural integrity.

physical properties

Cuts

The angle at which a board is cut affects the appearance of the finished product. The different sawing methods are as follows:

Plainsawn is the most common cut, in which the grain, loops and growth rings of the wood are highlighted. The growth rings are parallel to the boards face.

Quartersawn is much more expensive because it produces less board feet per log. However it is less likely to cup and wears more evenly, making it the better choice for areas where strength and durability is a must. Quartersawn wood has the straightest grain and the growth rings are perpendicular to the board's surface

Riftsawn is similar to quartersawn but with the cut made at a 30-degree or greater angle to the growth rings. This produces narrow boards with accentuated vertical or "straight" grain patterns.

Grades

Wood flooring is graded according to it's character markings. Most wood species are graded as being Clear, Select or Common, with Clear having the least amount of character and Common the most. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule when referring to Oak and Maple. For example, Common grade Oak is broken down to #1 and #2 Common and Maple is graded as being First, Second or Third grade. A brief description of each grade is provided below.

Clear grade is without defect, though it might have some minor imperfections. Clear grade wood tends to be very consistent with little mineral streaking and knots.

Select grade is almost clear, but contains more natural characteristics, such as knots and variations.

Common grade (#1 or #2) contain more markings than either clear or select grades, thus bringing more character into a room.

#1 Common has prominent variations in color and character, with varying wood characteristics, such as knots, worm holes and heavy streaks.

#2 Common has a more rustic appearance, emphasizing all wood characteristics.

First grade has a uniform appearance with natural color variations, but limited character marks.

Second grade has more color variance with a more defined character.

Third grade is rustic, showing all of the wood characteristics of the species.

Clear Grade		Select Grade		No. 1 Common		No. 2 Common
First Grade   Second Grade   Third Grade

Grain

Wood grain refers to the growth rings of the tree, which are described as being fine or coarse.

Coarse grain wood is the result of annual growth rings that are formed early in the growing season and are characterized by cells having large cavities and thin walls.

Fine grain wood is the result of annual growth rings that are formed late in the growing season and are characterized by cells having smaller cavities and thicker walls, thus making it more dense than coarse grain wood.

The grain is also described as being open or closed, referring to the size of the pores, which affects the way a wood accepts stain and finishes. Closed grain woods do not accept stain as readily or as easily as open grain woods.

Heartwood/Sapwood

Heartwood is the older, central part of a tree. It is darker in color, denser and more durable than the surrounding sapwood.

Sapwood is the younger, softer part of the tree, between the bark and the heartwood. It is less durable and usually lighter in color than the heartwood.

Dimensional Stability of wood flooring is determined by the reaction of the wood to it's moisture content. Different woods exhibit different moisture stability factors, ranking from below average to excellent, but they generally shrink and swell in the direction of the flooring width, rarely in length.

Moisture Content is the weight of water in wood and plays a large role in how wood behaves. Weight, shrinkage, strength and other properties depend on the moisture content of wood. In trees, moisture content may be as much as 200% of the weight of wood substance. After harvesting and milling, the wood is dried to the proper moisture content for its end use. The ideal moisture content for flooring installation can vary from an extreme of 4 to 18 percent, depending on geographical location. Before installation, solid wood flooring should be acclimated to the area in which it is to be used, and then tested with a moisture meter to ensure the proper moisture content.

Humidity - It is important to be aware of the normal behavior of wood in relation to moisture in the environment. Most solid wood flooring will contract during periods of low humidity, sometimes leaving noticeable cracks between boards. To minimize this effect, the environment should be stabilized through temperature and humidity control.

Strip Flooring is usually 2 ¼”, 1 ½” or 3 ¼ “ wide and often creates an illusion of a larger space.

Plank Flooring is wider, usually 5” or 6”.

Parquet Flooring is a series of smaller wood pieces that create a geometric design.