General

When you are picking out your hardwood flooring, you will notice it comes in different grades. Included here is a brief guide of understanding hardwood flooring grades. These grades are given to each floor to distinguish which bundle of hardwood flooring is better than another. In addition, grades are based on the different characteristics of the wood species and variations of color. The most common grades you will see throughout Builders Surplus locations for new hardwood floors are: Select, Canadian Plus, Mixed, Builder, Cottage, and Rustic.

Understanding Hardwood Flooring Grades

Select & Better hardwood is the top of the line flooring option here at Builders Surplus. Select grades offer the most uniform color with no large knots or pinholes. Therefore, it is very rare to see any blemishes in Select grade hardwood flooring.

Canadian Plus grade is a mix of 50% Select & Better and 50% Natural grades. Canadian Plus may have mineral marks and small closed knots.

Natural accepts all color variations and sound closed knots. Black or brown mineral streaks accepted.

Builder grade flooring is a mix of 70% Natural and 30% Rustic grades. All color variations, plus knots, piths and worm holes are accepted.

Cottage is a combination of Select (45%), Natural (40%) and Rustic (15%) grades. All color variations, plus knots, piths and worm holes are accepted.

Rustic grade boards show natural character. Rustic also comes in all colors and has an increase in visible knots and pinholes. Prefinished Rustic grade contains a limited amount of imperfections, streaks and markings. Like its namesake, Rustic grade features a rustic appearance to your flooring.

Samples of flooring grades (clockwise from top left): 3-1/4″ Red Oak Satin (Canadian Plus), 3-1/4″ Birch Montebello (Mixed), 3-1/4″ Hickory (Cottage) and 3-1/4″ Silver Maple (Builder).

As you can see, when selecting hardwood floors there are quite a bit of options for you. This gives you flexibility and creativity when designing your floor space. Flooring selection can be the most important part of a remodel as it is going to tie the entire room together. Stop in to your nearest Builders Surplus location and take a look at our diverse hardwood flooring selection. And remember, as Max T. Value says, “When value’s a must, shop Builders Surplus!”

Updated March 2021