What Are the Grades of Red Oak Tongue-in-Groove Flooring?

Clear

• Clear grade is the most expensive red oak flooring and is also the grade most commonly used in homes. This flooring is made from the heartwood and has a warm, golden to red hue. Planks have consistent coloring throughout with minimal variation. For example, under NOFMA guidelines, clear grade red oak flooring can have one 3-inch brown streak for every 6 feet of board. Clear grade red oak flooring does not have character marks beyond the occasional burl or pin worm hole.

Select

• Select grade red oak floors have a higher percentage of sapwood than clear grade and have more character marks, as well. NOFMA allows select grade red oak flooring to have small knots every 3 feet, occasional brown streaks and two flag worm holes for every 8 feet of board. Select grade boards may also have slight imperfections, such as burn marks, caused by the manufacturing process. Select grade red oak floors have more color variations than clear grade because of the combination of light sapwood and darker heartwood. These floors cost less than clear grade, but are still a suitable choice for many homes.

No. 1 Common Oak

• No. 1 common oak grade allows for more color variations, as well as more character marks. The wood may have may small knots, open checks or pin worm holes, but is structurally sound. Manufacturing defects, such as sticker stains and burns, are also permitted. No. 1 common oak is an affordable choice that works well in a home with rustic or cottage decor.

No. 2 Common Oak

• No. 2 common oak is the flooring that remains after the wood has been sorted and assigned to the previous grades. It has numerous character marks and wide variations of color. Under NOFMA guidelines, this flooring cannot contain wood with rotting or decaying ends, large, broken knots or other defects that would render it unstable. Some of the pieces may lack tongue and groove, but can be nailed into place instead. No. 2 common oak is an appropriate choice for utility uses, such as the floor of a rustic restaurant, or to add character to a country home.