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Hardwood Floor Grading Basics:
Clear Grade
Practically free of defects, made up mostly of heartwood. Most uniform color with limited small character marks. This grade will cost more than other grades.
Select and Better
Almost clear, with more of the normal characteristics such as knots and color variations. Unlimited sound sap wood (lighter in color).
#1 Common or 2nd grade
More markings than clear or select. Light and dark colors, knots and other character marks, including sticker stain, provide a variegated appearance. Often the common grades are selected because of their more natural, rustic appearance.
#2 Common or 3rd grade
The most knots, imperfections, and color variations. A natural, more affordable floor, full of character. This is your choice if many character markings are desired.
Plainsawn
Plainsawn is the most common and least expensive method of wood flooring cuts. Plainsawn contains more variation than the other two cuts because grain patterns resulting from the growth rings are more obvious. This is the most economical method because it creates the widest boards with the least amount of waste. The flooring will tend to expand and contract more across the width of the boards.
Quartersawn
Quartersawing produces less board feet per log than plainsawing and is therefore is more expensive. The log is first cut into quarters and then sawn perpendicular to the growth rings. When quartersawn flooring is introduced to changing climates and humidity, the wood expands and contracts vertically instead of horizontal, and is therefore, a little more stable.
When shopping for flooring, if the cut is not specified, then it's pretty safe to assume the most common, plainsawn.
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