The grade of flooring is the primary determinant of how the floor will look once it is installed, sanded, and finished. Stains can be used to alter color but wood characters and other marks that determine grade are likely to remain after finishing.
Unfinished NOFMA-certified flooring is categorized into four grades: NOFMA Clear, NOFMA Select, NOFMA No. 1 Common and NOFMA No. 2 Common, any of which will result in a serviceable floor.
The primary differentiator between the grades is the degree to which natural characteristics, such as knots and mineral streaks, or manufacturing marks, such as sticker stain, are allowed. The prominence and frequency of these characters increases from NOFMA Clear to NOFMA No. 2 Common.
For example, “NOFMA 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 characters such as knots and all natural color variations associated with heartwood and sapwood. The common grades will contain even more natural characters, as well as manufacturing marks.
EXAMPLES OF GRADES
#1 COMMON
Flooring product with prominent color
variations and varying
characters.
#2 COMMON
Contains
sound natural variations of the forest product
and manufacturing imperfections including knot
holes and open characters. Suitable for homes,
general utility use or where character marks
and contrasting appearance is
desired.
SELECT
A
flooring product with coloration variations
produced by differences of natural heartwood
and sapwood and has minimal
character.
CLEAR
A
flooring product of mostly heartwood with a
minimum number of character marks and
discoloration, providing a uniform appearance
while allowing for all heartwood natural color
variations.
Grading
and Milling Standards - Unfinished Wood
Flooring
NOFMA
grading and milling standards have been
established to ensure expectations are met
regarding how wood flooring appears, ease of
installation, sand and finish, and ultimately
how it performs. Today those standards continue
to be the industry measurement for wood
flooring manufacturers.
NOFMA Grading Rules and manufacturing standards
are proprietary to the members of NOFMA. The
information in this section is intended to
provide a general overview of the standards and
why they are important. The only way to be sure
the flooring you buy lives up to these
standards is to specify NOFMA-certified
flooring for your project.
For more information, visit the NOFMA website
at:
http://www.nofma.org