Canadian Technologist Limited CANADIANTECH.COM

Appearance alone determines the grades of hardwood flooring since all grades are equally strong and serviceable in ay application. Oak, the most popular of the hardwoods, has four basic grades. "CLEAR" is mostly uniform in appearance, has a limited number of character marks and is mostly heartwood. "SELECT" also has a uniform appearance, but this grade contains more of the natural characteristics such as knots and color variations, particularly variation associated with heartwood, sapwood differences. The "COMMON" grades have more character markings than either of the other two grades and are often specified because of these natural features and the character they bring to the installation. Grades are sometimes combined (i.e. SELECT & BETTER). Also, grades of short pieces (SHORTS) produced in manufacturing can be combined (i.e. NO. 1 COMMON & BETTER SHORTS).