Flooring shall be tongued and grooved and end matched (unless otherwise indicated…note: softwoods such as pine and fir are usually not end matched). Flooring shall not be considered of standard grade unless the lumber from which the flooring is manufactured has been properly kiln dried. The NOFMA standard is that flooring is manufactured at a 6% to 9% moisture content with a 5% allowance for pieces outside that range up to 12% moisture content.

Standard Thickness and Width

Standard Strip Flooring:
Strip flooring measures 3/4" and 1/2" running 1 1/2" to 3 1/4" wide. Maple, Beech, Birch flooring ONLY measures 3/4", 25/32", 33/32" and standards widths.

Square Edged Strip Flooring:
5/16" thick and widths of 7/8" up to 2".

Standard Plank Flooring:
Plank flooring is 3/4" thick and has widths of 3", 4", 5", 6" 7" and 8".

Grades of Common Species of Wood Flooring

Red and White Oak

Clear Grade:
The face shall be practically free of defects, admitting an average 3/8" of bright sap. Made up mostly of heartwood. Most uniform in color with limited small character marks.
Bundles to be 1 1/4’ and up. Average length is between 3-3/4’ (Standard Packaging)

Select Grade :
The face may contain sap, small streaks, pin worm holes, burls, slight imperfections, and small tight knots which do not average more than one to every 3’. Unlimited sound sap wood (lighter in color). More normal characteristics and color variation.
Bundles to be 1 1/4’ and up. Average length 3 1/4’ (standard packaging).

#1 Common Grade:
More markings than clear or select grades. Light and dark colors, knots and other character marks provide a variegated appearance. Contains flags, heavy streaks and checks, worm holes, knots, sticker stains and minor imperfections. The common grades are selected because of their natural rustic appearance.

#1 Common Red Oak

#1 Common White Oak

Oak Shorts

1 1/4’ Shorts:
Pieces 9" to 18" long are to be bundled together and designated as 1 1/4’ Shorts. Pieces graded as #1 Common, Select, and Clear to be bundles together and designated #1 Common and Better with pieces grading #2 bundled separately and designated as such.

#2 Common Grade:
May contain sound natural variation of the forest product and manufacturing imperfections. The purpose of this grade is to furnish an economical floor for general utility use or where character marks and contrasting appearance is desired. Has the most knots, imperfections, checks, and color variation. Bundles to be 1 1/4" and up. Average length is 2 1/4’ (standard packaging)

#2 Common Red Oak

#2 Common White Oak

Hard Rock Maple

First Grade:
Selected from light colored, fine grain northern hard maple. Face is practically free of all defects, but the natural color of the wood shall not be considered a defect. The highest standard grade. Admits variation in natural color of wood, slight shadows, and color variation. Occasional small, firm pin knot, not over 1/8" in diameter, provided it does not occur on edges or ends of strips. Occasional dark green or black spots or streaks, not over 1/4" wide and 3" long which may contain a tight check not over 1/2" long, also boxed within the piece. Bird’s eyes and small burls, slightly torn grain or similar defect which can readily be removed by sanding. A slightly shallow place not over 12" long on underside of the flooring if it does not extend to either end of the piece. Pieces with 1/2 tongue for no more than 25% of the length are allowed. Free of shake and no bark streaks are permitted.
Bundles shall be 1 1/4’ and longer through 7’ or 8’. Not over 55% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4’. Not more than 25% of the total footage shall be in 2’ bundles, and not more than 10% of the footage shall be in 1 1/4’ bundles.
For nested bundles: Maximum average number of pieces under 1 1/4’ shall be 8 pieces. Average length is 3’.

2nd Grade:
Carefully selected light maple with minimal natural heartwood and infrequent pin knots and streaks. Varying wood characteristics and colors to include distinct color variations, numerous streaks, stained sapwood, sound knots, and checks. Will admit the following: sound tight knots (not on edges or ends), slight imperfections on machining, distinct color variation, sticker stain/shadow, numerous dark green or black spots or streaks, slight checks not exceeding 3" in length and running parallel with edges and well inside, small rough spots which can not be wholly removed by sanding, slightly torn edges, short tongue, shallow or waney back, if piece has sufficient bearing of full thickness to support floor, small bark streaks where bark is as sound as surrounding wood, slight variation in angle or end matching. The face shall be free of shake and wood must be sound.
Bundles shall be 1 1/4’ and longer through 7’ or 8’. Not over 60% of total footage shall be in bundles under 4’. Not more than 27% of the total footage shall be in 2’ bundles, and not more than 15% of the footage shall be in 1 1/4’ bundles
Nested bundles: Maximum average number of pieces under 1 1/4’ shall be 12. Average length: 2 3/4’.

3rd Grade:
A combination of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade developing from the production run. The lowest grade pieces admissible. Bundles shall be 1 1/4" and longer through 7’ or 8’ as stock is produced. Not over 60% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4’.
Nested Bundles: Maximum average number of pieces under 1 1/4" shall be 42. Average Length 2 1/4".

3rd Grade Hard Maple

These are the most common types of flooring grades, however,
there are established grade rules of all grade of wood flooring.

Ash • Hickory/Pecan • Beech • Birch, Etc.