Grading hardwood floors Why grade a floor? With so many hardwood flooring manufacturers plying the trade, consumers need consistent measures to distinguish between offerings. Grades tell the purchaser what to expect regarding such characteristics as surfaces, lengths and milling tolerances. Grades come from industry associations such as the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA) and Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA). Both organizations enforce grade standards by continuously publishing them and routinely inspecting member's milling operations. The standards have become so widely accepted that even non-members comply by separating their flooring along specified grading guidelines. NOFMA MFMA Clear - Mostly heartwood with a minimum of character marks and discoloration, providing a uniform appearance while allowing for natural color variations. Competition Grade - Flooring product mostly free of defects. (The natural varying color of the wood shall not be deemed a defect.) Occasional small but tight pin knots, occasional dark green or black spots or streaks, slight checks, bird's-eyes and small burls (sizing dependent) are all permitted. Select - Flooring with color variations produced by differences of natural heartwood and sapwood. The face may include slight imperfections in milling, small knot every 3', pin worm holes, burls and some amount of slightly open checks. Standard Grade - Allows tight, sound knots and slight imperfections but must lay without waste. Allows for distinct color variations, numerous green or dark spots and streaks, and slight checks and rough spots which are removable during the smoothing process when laid down. Allows variations in tongue- and end-matching, and variation to the back, providing structural support remains intact. No. 1 Common - Contains prominent variations in coloration and varying characters. Checks and knot holes are permitted but must be sound and ready to fill. Minor imperfections in milling are permitted, as are stains and heavy streaks, worm holes and occasional dark machine burn. Multi-Purpose Grade - Must be a serviceable floor when laid down. Ideally suited for utility applications such as warehouses, farms, recreation rooms and other commercial applications as well as targeted antique applications. Good wear characteristics with medium cost and appearance. No. 2 Common - Flooring product natural variations and manufacturing imperfections. The purpose of this grade is to furnish a floor suitable for homes, general utility use or wherever character marks and contrasting appearance is desired. Third and Better Grade - Flooring is a combination of Competition, Standard and Multi-Purpose grades with Multi-Purpose being the lowest quality level and not exceeding 40% of the package. General NOFMA Rules: Characters allowed in higher grade are automatically allowed in lower grades. Flooring shall be tongue and grooved and end-matched. Flooring shall not be considered of standard grade unless kiln dried. Moisture content standard is 6 - 9 percent. Mark bundles of standard grade flooring with grade and color or species if applicable. Plank flooring designated by a grade name must conform to that description. Hampshire Hardwoods offerings are typically Clear and Clear/Select or commonly referred to as "Select & Better." although some recent introductions feature what is known as "Character Grade." Where applicable, Hampshire Hardwoods will specify if the solid wood flooring is wholly Select or a combination of Select & Better based on NOFMA grading standards. Note: All information outlined above is an extract from the National Wood Flooring Association Technical Publication No. A500 titled "GRADING AND PACKAGING," dated 1999.