grade of the floor is determined exclusively by appearance, the choice of which is determined by the consumer's

personal taste and preference.  

Quarter sawn (Red Oak)  Quartersawn (White Oak)                                     

• Select and Better Quartersawn Flooring that is marked or specified as QUARTER SAWN or QUARTERED;
• at least 50% of the piece must contain Quartered characteristics.  Quartered characteristics as defined by
• NOFMA are: In cross section the angle of the annual ring tangent to the face of the piece to be between
• 45°and 90°. Grain lines to be mostly parallel to the length of strips, and medullary ray flecks present and
• more than 1/16" wide.                                                                                                                           

Clear Plain (Red Oak)  Clear Plain (White Oak)

• Clear Plain 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.  Will admit the following: 3/8" bright sapwood entire length of strip or equivalent if not extending further than 1" for 1/3 length of piece; small burls and fine pin worm holes; and equivalent characters such as small tight checks; in the absence of these, one thin brown streak 3" long to be allowed every 6'.   Standard Packaging - Bundles to be 1 1/4' and longer; Average length, bundled or nested, 3 3/4'. Shorter Packaging - Average length for 7' and shorter packages, nested or otherwise, 3 1/2'.

Select Plain (Red Oak)   Select Plain (White Oak)

• Select Plain A flooring product with coloration variations produced by differences of natural heartwood and
• sapwood, along with characters described.  The face may contain: unlimited sound sapwood; slight imperfections in milling; a small tight knot every 3'; pin worm holes; burls and a reasonable amount of slightly open checks. Brown streaks should not extend the entire length of a piece. Two flag worm holes to every 8' are permitted. Slight imperfections in face work (torn grain) admitted. An intermittent, brown machine burn across the face not exceeding 1/4" width admitted. Also, a slight quantity of bark on the back or sides admitted. Will admit pieces with 1/2 tongue. Spot filling is generally required for open characters.  Standard Packaging - Bundles to be 1 1/4' and longer; Average length, bundled or nested, 3 1/4'. Shorter Packaging - Average length for 7' and shorter packages, nested or otherwise, 3'.           

One Common (Red Oak)  One Common (White OaK)

• One Common A flooring product which contains prominent variations in coloration and varying characters.  The following are not admitted: broken knots over 1/2" in diameter, large grub worm holes; and splits extending through the piece. Open characters such as checks and knot holes are admitted, buit must be sound and readily fill. Not more than 20" scant stock in thickness allowed to every 5'. Minor imperfections in machining permitted. Shall admit sticker stain; varying wood characteristics, such as flag worm holes, heavy streaks, checks, and worm holes; and an occasional dark machine burn across the face not exceeding 1/2" wide, 1/64" deep and not more than two each 3'. 1/4 tongue allowed. Extremely dark pieces are not to be included.  Standard Packaging - Bundles to be 1 1/4' and longer; Average length, bundled or nested, 2 3/4'. Shorter Packaging - Average length for 7' and shorter packages, nested or otherwise, 2 1/2'.           

Two Common (Red Oak)  Two Common (White Oak)

• Two Common May contain sound natural variations of the forest product and manufacturing imperfections. The purpose of this grade is to furnish a floor suitable for homes, general utility use, or where character marks and contrasting appearance is desired.  The following are not admitted: shattered or rotten ends, large broken knots, excessive bad millwork, shake, advanced rot, and similar unsound defects. Dark machine burns exceeding 3/64" deep not admitted. Knot holes and open characters which will readily fill are admitted. A limited number of pieces with no tongue which may be face nailed are admitted.  Standard Packaging - Bundles to be 1 1/4' and longer; Average length, bundled or nested, 2 1/4'. Shorter Packaging - Average length for 7' and shorter packages, nested or otherwise, 2'.