Grading Rules and Names Can Differ Between Suppliers
The grade of a timber has no influence on a floor’s quality or ‘fitness’ in terms of its machining tolerance or manufactured moisture content range, and these aspects are basically the same for every grade.
There are grade names associated with Australian Standards Grading Rules, and flooring manufacturers may also have their own grades and grade names, which may not necessarily be the same as the Australian Standards.
All grades permit some feature elements and even though a sample may be called ‘Select Grade’, there may still be evidence of gum veins, knots and past borer activity.
Let The Features You Prefer Determine The Grade You Choose
All trees feature knots, gum veins and past borer activity and it’s these features that for many buyers add to the character and charm of a timber floor. When choosing a grade of the timber that you prefer, the most important thing is to consider is that you’re choosing how many features of a particular timber you desire.
It’s also important to note that different features can predominate in different timber species, so therefore two floors of the same grade may appear quite different in terms of their predominating features and how dominant that feature appears in an actual timber floor.
And if you decide to choose an alternative species from the one you originally considered, not only will the colour differ, but the predominating features may also change.
Colour Depends on The Species and Features Are Determined by Grade
Still confused? It’s quite a simple methodology, which can be summed up in two sentences. The overall colour or blend of colour in a timber floor is dependent on the species of species mix chosen. The character of the floor and its features (like gum veins) is determined by its grade.
But there is a myriad of variables to consider, and that’s why it’s important to work closely with your supplier to determine the features and colouring of the timber flooring you’re after. Then it’s just a matter of having it professionally installed and maintained – and that’s where we come in!