Northern Hardwood Maple – Grading Guide
1st Grade
- Available Thicknesses: 20mm (25/32”), 22mm (27/32”), 27mm (33/32”)
- Available Widths: 38mm (1 1⁄2”), 57mm (2 1⁄4”), 83mm (3 1⁄4”)
- Varying natural shading or seasoning shadows shall not be considered a defect.
- Unfinished – Square Edges, T&G , End Match
- Strip lengths 9 in. to 8 ft. as stock will produce; not more than 55% of total square footage shall comprise pieces less than 42 in.; not more than 35% shall comprise pieces less than 30 in.; and not more than 10% shall comprise pieces less than 18 in.
*** PICTURE TAKEN FROM AVERAGE BUNDLES, can vary from production to production *** For actual / representative color, please refer to product samples.
This grade of -RL Northern Hard Maple combines appearance and durability and has a face free of defects that will materially mar the appearance of the finished floor or impair its durability. A practical application of this rule will admit variations in the natural color of the wood; an occasional small, firm pin knot not over 1/8″ in diameter, provided it does not occur on edges or ends of strips; occasional dark green or black spots or streaks not over 1/4″ wide and 3″ long (or its equivalent) which may contain a slight check not over 1/2″ long, providing it is boxed within the piece; bird’s-eyes and small burls; a slightly torn grain; or similar defect which can be readily removed by the ordinary method of smoothing the floor when it is laid.
Bark streaks shall not be permitted. A slightly shallow place not over 12″ long on the underside of flooring, if it does not extend to either end of the piece, and an otherwise perfect tongue, which is one- half short for 25 percent of length of piece, are admissible, but the face must be free of shake, and the wood must be live and sound.
2nd & Better Grade
- Available Thicknesses: 20mm (25/32”), 22mm (27/32”), 27mm (33/32”)
- Available Widths: 38mm (1 1⁄2”), 57mm (2 1⁄4”), 83mm (3 1⁄4”)
- Unfinished – Square Edges, T&G , EM
- Strip lengths 9 in. to 8 ft. as stock will produce; not more than 60% of total square footage shall comprise pieces less than 42 in.; not more than 42% shall comprise pieces less than 30 in.; and not more than 15% shall comprise pieces less than 18 in.
*** PICTURE TAKEN FROM AVERAGE BUNDLES, can vary from production to production
*** For actual / representative color, please refer to product samples.
This grade admits tight, sound knots, provided they do not occur on edges or ends of strips; distinct color variations; numerous dark green or black spots or streaks – provided they do not occur in combination with predominately dark heartwood; slight checks not exceeding 3″ in length and running parallel with and well inside the edges and ends of the strip; dark spots or streaks with slight checks in center; small rough spots which cannot be wholly removed by the ordinary method of smoothing the floor when it is laid; slightly torn edges; short tongue if sufficient to hold properly in the floor; shallow or waney back if piece has sufficient bearings of full thickness to support it in the floor; and slight variation in angle of end matching. With the use of some finishes, light sticker shadow and color variations may appear. While these and similar features are admissible, sufficient attention is given to appearance to make this grade desirable and satisfactory for use in stores, schools, factories, and similar places where superficial defects and blemishes are not a real factor of consideration. The face must be free of shake, and the wood must be live and sound. Bark streaks shall not be permitted.
3rd Grade
- Available Thicknesses: 20mm (25/32”), 22mm (27/32”), 27mm (33/32”)
- Available Widths: 38mm (1 1⁄2”), 57mm (2 1⁄4”), 83mm (3 1⁄4”)
- Allows all defects common to Maple, knot holes, color variation, heartwood
- Unfinished – Square Edges, 4-Side T&G, End Match
- Strip lengths 9 in. to 8 ft. as stock will produce; not more than 60% of total square footage shall comprise pieces less than 42 in.; not more than 42% shall comprise pieces less than 30 in.; and not more than 15% shall comprise pieces less than 18 in.
*** PICTURE TAKEN FROM AVERAGE BUNDLES, can vary from production to production
*** For actual / representative color, please refer to product samples.
This grade has the same structural integrity as first and second and better and exhibits more natural variation than either grade. This grade is ideally suited for the value engineered application.
This grade may contain all defects common to maple, but the wood must be firm and serviceable. It will not admit voids on edges or ends, or knot holes over 3/8″ in diameter; partially unsound knots where the unsound portion is over 1″ in diameter; or shakes, heart checks, badly split ends and imperfections in manufacture which materially impair the serviceability of the flooring for the purpose intended.