Frequently Asked Questions: What is the difference between Clear, Select and Better, and Common / Rustic grades?

The difference between the various grades is the amount of character marks, color variation, sap allowance, and open or closed defects allowed. For example, you'll find the most amount of character (knots, mineral streaks, pin holes, etc.) in the Common / Rustic Grades. As you step up in grade, color is more uniform in appearance and fewer character marks are allowed. The clear and select grades are hand selected for uniformity, and the pricing generally increases with those grades.

This Maple hardwood flooring is a good example of the uniformity common with clear-grade flooring products:

This character-grade Maple hardwood flooring features more color variation and a rustic look: