These are the grades we follow at Musolf’s.

There are many other guidelines out there but this is what you can expect when you come into our showrooms.

As a general rule, Select grade will have less color variation and the absence of knots and character. The Common grades will tend toward a rustic look with lots of natural character – color variation, mineral streaks and knots.

White Oak – Select & Better Grade – included are minimal character marks, such as small knots, worm holes, and mineral streaks, as well as slightly open characters.
#1 Common Grade – characterized by prominent color variation that also contains prominent characters (with size limits) such as knots, open checks, worm holes.
#2 Common Grade – variations including knot holes, open worm holes, and other open characters along with prominent color variations.
Big Wood Grade – longer lengths, grade features open knots and mineral streaking, strong grain patterns.

Red Oak – Select & Better – included are minimal character marks, such as small knots, worm holes, and mineral streaks, as well as slightly open characters.
#1 Common – characterized by prominent color variation that also contains prominent characters (with size limits) such as knots, open checks, worm holes.
#2 Common – variations including knot holes, open worm holes, and other open characters along with prominent color variations.
Big Wood – longer lengths, grade features open knots and mineral streaking, strong grain patterns.

Maple – 1^st Grade – features minimal natural character, free from defects with an occasional pin knot.
2^nd Grade – grade admits tight sound knots, distinct color variations with dark spots or streaks.
3^rd Grade – features natural variation in color and grain with prominent knots and mineral streaks.
Big Wood – longer lengths, grade features open knots and mineral streaking, strong grain patterns

Hickory – Select – minor imperfections and colors with small knots and mineral streaks. In Hickory color is not a defect. Select may contain a mix of sapwood and heartwood.
Common – features natural variation in color and grain with prominent knots and mineral streaks.
Big Wood – longer lengths, grade features open knots and mineral streaking, strong grain patterns

Ash – Select & Better – Sorted to remove dark heartwood, knots and mineral streaks. Slight color variation.
#1 Common – Will contain some character and small knots. Features some dark heartwood as well as mineral streaks.
#2 Common – Will have large knots, light sapwood and dark heartwood and surface defects.

Yellow Birch – Select & Better – Almost free of defects – color variation is acceptable as well as small pin knots.
Common – More color variation than select and includes knots. Rustic in appearance.

Red Birch – Select & Better – Almost free of defects – color variation is acceptable as well as small pin knots.
Common – More color variation than select and includes knots. Rustic in appearance.

Walnut – Select & Better – Mostly brown in appearance with some cream sapwood. Pin knots are acceptable.
Common – Natural color variation with more sapwood present. Larger knots are acceptable.
Big Wood – longer lengths, grade features open knots and mineral streaking, strong grain patterns

Lon’s Own Prefinished

Red Oak, White Oak, Maple, Hickory, Walnut, Cherry, Red Birch, Yellow Birch, Ash
Available in Premium and Woodland grades.
Woodland Grade utilizes natural characteristics of wood with knots, mineral streaks and color variation.
Premium Grade will have minimal color variation – more consistent color throughout and small pin knots.

Prefinished Exotics – Brazilian Cherry Brazilian Walnut, Cumaru, Santos Mahogany, Tigerwood

All Clear Grade

Birch Advantage – Mixed grade, yellow birch.
A range from clean, consistent color to unique character knots and color variations.

You can view images of these products on our website. For the Prefinished options look under Flooring Collections and click the Lon’s Own Prefinished. For other options look under Flooring Collections and click North Wood Flooring to view their brochure.

A visual can help in your selection, but consider the size of the image in relation to the size of the area in which you will be installing hardwood flooring. Also consider, if you are viewing on a computer screen or your phone screen, that the color will not be true.

With all of this said, it is imperative that you remember:

Wood is a product of nature – each tree has its own structure and individual color combination. An image or sample will therefore never be able to give you a complete picture of the finished floor.

We hope these definitions and explanations have helped you. We love educating you on hardwood flooring so hopefully this helps you make the right decisions for your home. Obviously, we feel that hardwood flooring is great in so many ways. It does take knowledge in choosing the proper flooring, so always make sure to ask questions and express any concerns when talking with your installer or Musolf’s Crew. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have regarding wood flooring choices.

Disclaimer:

The information presented on musolfs.com is compiled from reliable sources.

That said, as a consumer, your main source of information regarding your hardwood floor should be your professional flooring installer.

Each home and installation project is unique and comes with its own set of considerations.

We are happy to present general information and tips here and hope that you find this helpful.