Flooring
Solid Timber Grades
All timber grading is done visually by qualified graders at the timber mill. Graders are looking for machining quality, the size and number of features in the timber flooring, and any flaws. Graders do not grade on colour. Timber is a natural product and there is always colour variation.
They are also checking for dimensional correctness
Timber flooring is normally separated into different grades at the machining stage. There have traditionally been three main grades; Select Grade, Standard Grade and Feature Grade. However most suppliers are now moving to a two grade model, where select and standard are combined into a single grade commonly known as Standard and better, Prime or Prestige grade. The Feature grade remains the same
It is important to note that there are lower grades such as Utility Grade and Cover Grade, these grades are the reject materials from the other grades and can have major defects so we don’t sell the these and most suppliers send them to the auctions and not to reputable timber merchants.
When choosing the grade of your timber flooring it is important to understand these grades to ensure that you are getting what you pay for. Connollys adheres strictly to the industry standards as set out below.
Feature Grade
Feature Grade has high level of natural characteristics. This grade offers a unique appearance with extenuated natural features, including gum vein, knots, face checking and insect travels. Sometimes includes stick marks. Once considered the cheapest grade, it is now highly sought after and has rapidly become the most popular. Modern techniques in the finishing of these floors make them aesthetically stunning. The beauty of the natural characteristics make it unmistakable from any other floor. Feature Grade Timber Flooring is how nature intended it look.
Standard Grade
Standard Grade is distinguished by highlighting selective gum veins, spirals, burls, insect trails and other natural variations that give timber floors a unique character as individual as a signature. This grade is a visual chronicle of forest history, including bush fires, floods, drought, insect travels and the natural variations that appear in the grain of Australian native hardwoods. Standard Grade is carefully graded to include the most interesting variations and distinctive markings, to enhance the look of a timber floor.
Std & Better / Prime
Standard and better grade is essentially everything that is not feature grade or the combination of select grade and standard grade into a single grade, so you will have boards with no features and some with subtle features, This grade will most likely replace select and standard industry wide, as most suppliers have already made the move to the two grades system.
Select Grade
Select Grade timber flooring provides limited variation in natural characteristics. It has been carefully graded, floorboard by floorboard, to ensure that it meets strict quality standards. It has a sleek, uniform look that is well suited to modern, minimalist and traditional styles. Expect to have small amounts of natural features including: small gum viens, birds eye, insect trails, tight knots.
Janka Ratings
