The beauty, easy maintenance, and functionality of hardwood can enhance the overall appeal and value of your home. Hardwood floors don’t trap allergens and they provide a sturdy surface for all your various pieces of furniture. Surface texture is something many people do and this is where textures and finishes come. Homeowners who want to incorporate a unique finishing to their floors can finish the hardwood or opt to texture them. With all these benefits, the only challenge lies in deciding which grade and type of hardwood to install. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of hardwood finishes and what determines the quality vs grade.
What are Hardwood Floor Grades?
Hardwood floor grades categorize wood by their similar and shared traits in appearance, such as the size and number of knots. For example, higher grades have wood with minimal or small knots, while lower grades have wood with multiple large knots. Grades of hardwood flooring include character grade, select grade, and select and better grades.
Here are some of the natural characteristics of wood:
- Colour
- Milling imperfections
- Wormholes
- Knots
- Streaks
- Sapwood
- Cracks
Hardwood floor grades distinguish one wood from another based on natural characteristics.
Difference Between Quality vs. Grade
Hardwood floor grades are based on the natural characteristics of the wood, whereas quality refers to the result of the product after manufacturing. Natural characteristics vary depending on the wood species, the region it’s from, and the weather conditions during its growth. The manufacturing process, treatments, and finishes determine the quality of hardwood.
The following chart outlines the component of quality vs. grade:
| Quality | Grade |
| Length Depth Width Finish | Knots Streaks Wane Shake |
What Is the Difference Between Solid and Engineered Hardwood?
Here’s a detailed comparison between solid and engineered wood floors:
| Characteristics | Solid Wood Flooring | Engineered Wood Flooring |
| Materials | 100% Solid wood | Layers of hardwood bonded to plywood |
| Lifespan | 30 to 100 years | 20 to 30 years |
| Cost | $5 to $12/sq. ft. | $3 to $15/sq. ft. |
| Stability | May expand or contract when exposed to high temperatures, humidity, and moisture | Resistant to high temperatures, humidity, and moisture |
| Cleaning | Hardwood cleaner and microfiber mop | Light wet mopping, vacuuming, and sweeping |
| Thickness | 3/4 inches | 3/8 to 9/16 inches |
| Width | 2 1/4 to 4 inches | 2 1/4 to 7 inches |
| Length | 12 to 84 inches | 12 to 60 inches |
| Installation | Nail down | Nails, floating, or glue down |
Character Grade
Character-grade wood is full of natural imperfections, including knots, mineral streaks, and natural colour variations. Oak and walnut are the most common types of character-grade wood, but there are many other variations, such as maple, hickory, and cherry. You may choose character grade if you’re looking for an affordable option and appreciate the natural beauty of wood.
Characteristics of Character Grade
| Grade | Knots | Style |
| Low grade | Countless knots of different shapes and sizes | Rustic and natural |
Colour Options
There are multiple colour variations in character-grade engineered and solid hardwood, including pale, medium, dark, and black woods. You can choose stained, unstained, or natural character-grade flooring.
Character Grade wood is rustic and full of natural imperfections.
Select
Select grade wood has a smoother texture than character grade but is less uniform than select and better. You might choose select grade because it’s a cost-effective flooring for homes with a lot of traffic such as families with pets and young children.
Characteristics of Select
| Grade | Knots | Style |
| Most common grade | A few knots, 25 to 50 mm | Modern, minimalist and natural |
Colour Options
The select grade comes in light and dark shades of solid and engineered wood. Common timber species in select-grade flooring include white oak, red oak, and maple.
Select grade is smooth in texture with natural colour variations.
Select and Better
Select and better contain minimal imperfections with no large knots or dark streaks. The planks are very uniform and boast a natural appearance with little colour variation. Although it can come at a higher expense, select and better hardwood flooring has an elegant and clean aesthetic that’s among the highest grades available.
Characteristics of Select and Better
| Grade | Knots | Style |
| High grade | Little to no knots, maximum size 10 to 15 mm | Modern, sleek |
Colour Options
There are dark, medium, and light colours in select and better-grade solid and engineered wood flooring. Common select and better-grade hardwood include ash, hickory, and oak.
Select and Better is high grade wood flooring with minimal imperfections or colour variations.
Types of Hardwood Floor Finishes
When getting hardwood as your flooring, the look and durability of your floors bank not just on the material and maintenance but also on the finishing you choose, so here are a few options for a head start.
Water-Based Polyurethane
Popularly known for its signature wet look, it is the finish most commonly used in hardwood floors. Offering a clear finish that is not amber, this hardwood finish is ideal for rooms with neutral colors and whites. In addition, the finish comes in multiple sheens, from high-gloss, semi-gloss, and satin to matte, which means flexibility for homeowners when deciding their look. Apart from the sacrificial layer that will extend the life of your wood floors, water-based polyurethane is easy to clean.
Oil Sealer
Are you looking for a finish that will enhance both the patterns and color of the wood? The oil sealer has a low gloss that brings out the warm feel of authentic wood. All DIYers pay attention. If you plan on turning the finishing into a do-it-yourself project, this is an easier-to-use finish stain; however, the drying time could take up to 48 hours per coat, and it requires several coats; how does it look? Think brown and golden stains, so if your home borders antique and traditional style, you will hit the bull’s eye with this finish. If you do settle for this finish, remember to keep up with touch-ups later.
Hardwax Oil
For years, a hot commodity in Europe, hardwax, has been making its way back into our homes; why wouldn’t it? Hardwax oil is everything polyurethane is not. Apart from being environmentally friendly, hardwax oil has a more enhanced matte finish, giving the floors a more authentic look and feel of wood. It is easy to apply and has excellent protection on wood floors, making it a favorite of many homeowners. As you make your choice, keep in mind, hardwax finishes are susceptible to staining, and refinishing is a requirement every two to three years.
Texture Types or Hardwood Floors
When considering hardwood floors, the surface texture is more considered if you want to extend their durability and lifespan. Additionally, the texture will easily hide the effects of abuse from foot traffic, high heels, and scratches after years of use.
Wire Brushed
Wire brushing hardwood is the process of opening the grain of the wood to expose the heart by using a hard-bristle wire brush made of steel. The softwood grain is removed, and the hardwood grain remains, which gives your floors better durability. The distressed look created by the wire brush gives your floor personality and would look great for rustic and farmhouse interiors. The wire brush technique is an excellent choice for hardwoods like oak and hickory and could be paired with a matte finish to complete the look.
Smooth
Is the gleaming lustrous look the vision you have for your floor? Smooth finished wood is the texture for you; its look speaks elegance which marries well within modern, traditional, and cottage styles. You can throw any concerns about the floor matching your décor because the smooth finished style is timeless and will match the aesthetics of any space. When it comes to maintenance, smooth-finished floors are easy to clean and require minimal upkeep. Even when they begin to appear worn out years down the line, you have the option to sand and refinish the floors to refresh their look.
Hand-Scraped
The hand-scraping technique has been around for years, way before sanding became a thing. People used it as a way to even out deformities in wooden planks like bumps and lumps. Hand scraping today requires carefully working with the wood’s natural grain to create a distressed look. This is done by creating rows of depressions on the surface of the floorboards. If you have kids or pets in the home, the scratches and scuffs they make on the floor can easily blend in with the worn-out patches and scratches from hand scraping. Although this texture is ideal for rustic designs, the contrasts it makes in a modern setting make it an option to consider for your floors.
Related Article: Modern Hardwood Flooring Trends 2024
How to Choose the Right Hardwood Flooring for You
When it comes to settling for a type of finish or texture, you have all the ingredients needed for creating the perfect look for your floors. All that is left is for you to make the choice that will transform your hardwood from just wood to stunning! With an array of styles and textures at your disposal, your decision should be simple. Now that you understand the finishes, textures, quality, and grades, your beautiful hardwood floor awaits!
Contact Zelta Floor & Design today for our expert recommendations on the best hardwood flooring to suit your home and lifestyle.
