Wood grades indicate how many natural features a wood floor has, and they are graded according to the number and size of the features on each board, such as knots, sap and tonal variation. We take grading seriously and hold ourselves to a higher standard than you’ll find elsewhere in the industry – you could even say that we set the grade.
Choosing a Grade
Choosing the grade of your floor is an important part of the specification process and one that many people often overlook. Think about whether you want a super-clean look in your project, or whether you want something that has lots of natural features in it. You may even want something that sits in the middle of the two. There are six key timber grades to consider: prime, select, nature, character, rustic, and genuine reclaimed.
Each Ted Todd and Woodworks engineered, or solid wood floor has a grading which has been defined according to the appearance. Make sure you compare like-for-like to understand which works best for your specifications as there are significant differences in the grades, from extremely clean prime boards to more characterful rustic ones, which offer a different look and feel.
Learn more about the different wood floor grades and their characteristics below.
Prime Grade
The cleanest grade that gives the most uniform appearance. There will be a relatively small amount of colour variation in the timber itself. Allows a small number of knots and black pin knots. Minimal amount of sapwood defect and filler.
Select Grade
A mix of prime and cleaner nature grade boards, most planks will be sap free with some irregular grain. Closed heartwood and irregular grain allowed. Knots with a limited amount of checks and end splits.
Nature Grade
Includes both heartwood and sapwood across the board. Closed heartwood, live knots and irregular grain allowed. Filler will be used and will complement the wood. Has a wider range of colour variation. Iregular grain knots up to 50mm, checks and end splits may feature.
Rustic Grade
A heavier grade than character and nature, which allows a virtually
limitless size and number of knots. Sound and broken knots, heartwood and colour variation throughout boards allowed. No minimum of sapwood and filler; you should expect end splits. Filler will be used and will complement the wood.
Barn Grade
A much heavier grade than rustic. Includes even more knots, heartwood and even longer split ends. Expect colour variation and significant grain detail. Typical of timber that may be found in a countryside barn.
GENUINE ANTIQUE & RECLAIMED
Allows for a virtually limitless size and number of knots, checks, colour variation and may contain sap. Characterful features can include nail holes and manmade imperfections from a previous life.