The 4 NWFA Hardwood Flooring Grades

When choosing a hardwood floor, you not only want something that’s durable and long lasting, but also something that’s aesthetically pleasing. Your hardwood flooring will last several decades so you’ll want it to be as eye-catching as possible. National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), a non-profit organization that provides information about hardwood flooring, has made selecting a flooring easier for homeowners due to their rating scale.

In this post, Handyman Connection® of Eden Prairie discusses the four NWFA hardwood flooring grades.

1. Clear – Clear grade hardwood flooring has very few imperfections and character marks, and little to no discoloration, resulting in a uniform look. This wood product is usually made of a species’ heartwood, which is the oldest and the densest part of a tree located near the bark.

2. Select – Compared to clear grade hardwood, the select grade has subtler color variations and natural wood character marks, such as small knots. This is due to the fact that it’s usually made from a mix of heartwood and sapwood.

3. No. 1 Common – Compared to the previous two grades, the No. 1 Common grade has more variety of colors as well as character marks, such as knots, mineral streaks and holes.

4. No. 2 Common – Also known as the rustic grade, the No. 2 Common grade offers greater color variation, visible mineral streaks, larger-sized knots and wormholes that can be seen in a tree. This allows for a more authentic look and feel.

Turn to Handyman Connection of Eden Prairie for your home improvement needs. We are your leading provider of flooring and plumbing services. Give us a call at (952) 777-4875, or fill out our contact form to request an estimate.