Timber floor – The choice of grade influences the character it?

Grading rules do not cover either colour or colour variation, but do significantly
influence the appearance of timber, with some grades including more of the
character of the trees history with larger gum veins, knots and other features
present. In other grades, the cleaner natural lines and figure of the timber will
dominate with fewer and smaller features present. When deciding on a timber
grade for flooring ensure that you consider the following:

• All trees contain features such as gum veins, knots and past borer activity
and such features for many, add to the character and charm of their floor.
Therefore when choosing a grade you are simply deciding on how much
feature you desire.

• The grade has no influence on a timber floor’s fitness for purpose in terms of its
manufactured moisture content range or machining tolerance. These aspects
are the same for each grade.

• All grades permit some feature and even though it may be named ‘Select
Grade’ some gum veins, knots and past borer activity is permitted.

• How the boards are mixed into the floor both in terms of colour and feature
is up to the installer, so if you have any specific views on this, you should
discuss it with your installer prior to installation.

• Because different features tend to dominate different species, two floors of
the same grade may appear quite different.

• There are grade names associated with Australian Standards grading rules.
In other instances, flooring manufacturers may have their own grades and
grade names. A manufacturer’s grade of timber may not be exactly the same
as that in an Australian Standard.

It is therefore important to realize that the overall colour or blend of colour in a
floor is dependent on the species or species mix chosen and the character of
the floor, in terms of the features present, such as gum veins, is determined by
the grade.

If choosing an alternative species from the one originally considered, not only
will the overall colour differ but the dominant type of feature may also change.
It is important to work closely with your supplier and installer so that they are
absolutely clear about the look that you desire.

D.I.Y. Parquetry, Timber & Cork Flooring, have years of experience and are your flooring specialists call to discuss your needs on 0409 081 679.

Article courtesy of Australian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA)