| When you're looking for hardwood flooring, you'll | | | | any knots. Essentially, when you lay this grade of |
| probably find that wood comes in various grades. | | | | hardwood flooring in place, it should be completely |
| Although grades can vary between domestic and | | | | even all over. The next level grade is typically "clear," |
| exotic varieties, most types of wood have higher | | | | and wood labeled as "clear" has a few blemishes or |
| grades and a character grade, the latter of which is | | | | color and grain variations, but nothing significant. |
| sold as factory seconds or discount flooring. Each | | | | The lowest grade of flooring is labeled as "cabin," |
| grade for flooring is based on the quality of | | | | "tavern," or "character" grade. All of these are |
| appearance. If the wood is nearly blemish-free, then | | | | essentially factory seconds for flooring, as wood at |
| the grade will be higher. If the wood has color | | | | this grade is sold at a significant discount because of |
| variations, knots, and uneven grain, then the wood is | | | | the flaws in appearance. Because of this, "character" |
| usually given a lesser or discount grade. The grade, | | | | is actually an apt description for this grade of wood, |
| however, seldom references the actual quality of the | | | | as the surface of each piece is covered in character |
| wood. | | | | markets. This includes various knots, grain texture |
| The higher grades for hardwood flooring are usually | | | | variations, streaks, or color variations. While buying |
| described as "select" or "select and better," | | | | about ten percent more of this grade for flooring is |
| depending upon the origin of the wood. Hardwood | | | | one common suggestion, all character grade wood |
| flooring at these grades is usually nearly flawless. The | | | | gives a rustic appearance to any room - hence, the |
| surface of the wood, for example, will have a | | | | names "cabin" and "tavern" grade. |
| completely even color - unless the wood has natural | | | | No matter the grade of hardwood flooring you use, |
| color variation, like tigerwood - and the grain will also | | | | the floor always has the distinct look of natural wood |
| have an even texture. Wood at this level won't have | | | | - be it refined or rustic, according to your tastes. |