Wood Flooring Grades
The beauty of wood is that each and every plank is unique.
Below is what you can expect to see from each of our wood floor grades.
Prime Grade
Prime-grade wood flooring is known for its refined, clean appearance. It features very few knots, and any that are present will be minimal in size. Colour variation within the timber is subtle, offering a consistent tone across the planks. There is little to no sapwood or filler, but when filler is used, it’s carefully chosen to complement the natural grain. This may vary slightly between batches, enhancing the understated beauty of the wood.
Select (or "Classic") Grade
Select grade wood flooring, also known as "Classic" grade, offers a balanced blend of cleaner boards and more characterful planks. Slightly larger knots are permitted, along with natural features like heartwood, colour variation, and occasional checks or sapwood. Filler may be present and is chosen to complement the wood's tone, though it won’t match exactly. This creates a harmonious yet varied look that adds warmth and authenticity to any interior, with subtle differences between batches.
Character Grade
Character grade wood flooring embraces the full personality of natural timber. It includes both heartwood and sapwood, allowing for a wider range of colour variation across the planks. Larger knots are a key feature, along with expected checks and occasional end shake. Filler is used to enhance and stabilise these natural features, with tones selected to complement the wood’s appearance rather than match it exactly. This creates a warm, organic, and truly authentic wood floor.
Rustic Grade
Rustic grade wood flooring celebrates the raw, natural beauty of timber. There is no limit to the size or number of knots, and heartwood is prominently featured. Expect bold colour variation, visible sapwood, and the presence of checks and occasional end shake. Filler is used throughout, with colours chosen to complement rather than match the wood precisely; this can vary between batches. Rustic grade offers a truly character-rich floor with an authentic, unrefined look.
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Knots and Filler
Knots are natural features in wood, formed where a side branch once grew or where a dormant bud developed. As the grain flows around these points, knots create unique patterns and textures that add character to each plank. In some cases, knots may be replaced or reinforced with filler to maintain the floor’s structural integrity. This filler is carefully selected to complement the wood’s natural tones and may appear in a variety of colours, including white, grey, brown, or black. These variations in both knots and filler enhance the authenticity and charm of real wood flooring, making each board truly unique.
Sapwood
Sapwood is the younger, living part of a tree that transports water and nutrients. It typically appears lighter in colour than heartwood, creating natural variation across wood flooring. During fuming, smoking, or colouring processes, sapwood reacts differently, often remaining lighter, thereby enhancing contrast and visual interest. Although sapwood contains more moisture in its raw state, this does not affect product performance. At Havwoods, all timber is expertly kiln-dried and engineered to ensure stability and durability. When included in flooring, sapwood adds unique detail and depth, contributing to the overall character and natural appeal of the wood.
Medullary Rays, Checks and Shakes
Medullary rays are the fine, ribbon-like markings often visible in quarter-sawn wood. These natural features appear as pale streaks running across the grain and are a clear sign of high-quality craftsmanship. Quarter-sawing enhances stability and highlights these striking visuals. Checks and shakes, on the other hand, are natural cracks that typically form along or between growth rings, most commonly found at the ends of boards. These may be removed during installation or filled where needed. While they’re part of the wood’s natural character, neither checks nor shakes affect the integrity of Havwoods’ engineered wood flooring when installed correctly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between wood flooring grades?
Wood flooring grades reflect the visual characteristics of the timber. Prime grade is clean and uniform, while Rustic includes knots and colour variation. Select and Character grades offer a balance of natural features. Each grade offers a unique aesthetic, but all maintain the same high quality.
Do knots and filler affect floor performance?
No. Knots and filler are purely aesthetic and do not impact the structural integrity of engineered wood flooring. Filler is professionally applied to enhance appearance and stability. Its colour complements the wood, though it may vary slightly between batches to suit the plank’s natural tones.
What is sapwood, and will it affect my floor?
Sapwood is the lighter outer layer of a tree where water flows. It doesn’t react to treatments like heartwood, resulting in natural colour contrast. Though it originally holds more moisture, Havwoods’ drying and engineering processes ensure that sapwood is stable and perfectly suited for high-quality wood flooring.
Why do some planks have cracks or splits?
These are known as checks or shakes and are a natural part of real wood. Checks usually form across the growth rings, while shakes run between them. They’re often trimmed during installation or filled as needed and don’t compromise the durability of Havwoods engineered flooring products.
What are medullary rays in wood flooring?
Medullary rays are pale, ribbon-like streaks found in quarter-sawn wood. They are natural features that enhance the floor’s visual appeal and indicate premium craftsmanship. Their presence adds character without impacting the quality or performance of the board, making each plank visually unique and beautifully detailed.
Seeing is believing.
An in-person, or even virtual, showroom appointment provides a close look at all the different elements of wood floor collections.