Choosing Flooring Materials: Grades and Species

Hardwood flooring in San Francisco is classified by grade, species, and type. The grade generally describes the surface characteristics of the wood, lengths of the flooring, and milling tolerances. There are several grading systems for hardwood flooring. Various associations create these systems, and use of the systems by manufacturers is voluntary, so caveat emptor. Two of the more common systems are those created by the maple flooring manu­facturers Association (MFMA, maplefloor.org) and the National Wood flooring Association® (NWFA, woodfloors.org). The former system applies primarily to maple; the latter is universal, but mostly used with oak flooring. 

Today, there are more options for hardwood floors than ever before. hundreds of exotic woods are available from all over the world. Each species has its own characteristics, varying in color, hardness, and dimensional stability. selecting wood for a floor is mostly a matter of personal taste (and budget).

All of the grades listed here will make a serviceable floor. The differences are mainly aesthetic, such as the presence of knots, sapwood, and color variations. However, wood with fewer defects tends to be more stable and predictable, so you might expect greater or more varied seasonal move­ment with lower grades. Of course, price is another differ­ence, with higher grades usually costing more.

MFMA Maple Grades

First Grade. The highest standard MFMA (Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association) grade is hand-selected to minimize the natural character variations of the species.

Second Grade. The most commonly specified maple flooring; this grade exhibits more natural variations than first grade.

Third Grade. This grade has the same structural integrity as first and second grades, and exhibits more natural variation than either grade.

Third and Better. This grade is comprised of a mixture of first, second, and third grades of MFMA northern hard maple.

At Kapriz Hardwood Floors, you’ll find an amazing selection of hardwood flooring from the world’s top flooring manufacturers. Solid hardwood, engineered hardwood in San Francisco, click hardwood and more are all available in a vast array of constructions, species and styles. Our volume buying power and largest warehouse inventory allow us to provide the biggest discounts on wood flooring and the fastest shipping.