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Choosing the right floors can be a daunting task, especially when trying to understand what “Grade” means, in the context of hardwood flooring.
The good news is that there is no right answer! Read on and we will explain the difference, and why there is no wrong option when choosing your color and grade from Allora floors.
Before explaining the difference between “Select” and “Select Character” grades, first we must understand what “Grade” actually means.
It is important to note that “Grade” does not refer to the quality of the wood – we guarantee that all Allora flooring comes from the highest quality European mills and materials and that all Allora flooring is 100% manufactured in Italy.
Simply put, a hardwood flooring’s “Grade” refers to the appearance of the wood planks and the amount of character, including knots, cracks, splits, and sapwood, you can expect in each box of planks.
There are industry standards and guidelines for grades, when it comes to solid hardwood flooring. However, with prefinished engineering flooring, it usually up the manufacturer to name and categorize each grade. We have gone to great lengths to ensure our grades are both accurate and reflect the material you will receive, per the grade and color you have ordered.
Our cleanest material is named “Select” grade, although you may see other manufacturers call their material “Premium,” “Prime,” or “AB” grade. Select grade colors are impressively clean with very few pin knots and an attractive, uniform grain and color. Select grade can be thought of as “clean” hardwood flooring, referring to the absence of character and the consistent look and color of the flooring.
Our “Select Character” grade may appear as “Light Character,” “Character,” or “ABCD” grade elsewhere. Select Character grade colors have minimal knots and cracks, expertly filled and stained to blend into the flooring, adding a unique and rustic charm to the look of the wood. We make sure that all of our Select Character colors are created in way that character adds to the look and feel of the floor, by choosing the perfect fill per color, and blending in select and character grade planks in each box.
The beauty of Allora floors is that there is no wrong option!
Some people love the knots and character found in “Select Character” grade colors, which create an aesthetic which is unmistakably authentic natural hardwood flooring. Others might love the consistent look of “Select” grade flooring and want to create an aesthetic that is as clean and premium as possible.
Another factor to consider is care and maintenance. Although all Allora floors have an extremely durable finish and are easy to clean, using our Care & Maintenance Guide, a Select grade floor might show daily wear and require more maintenance and cleaning than a Select Character floor, simply due to the absence of character in the flooring.
The final consideration is cost. Because “Select” grades are quite literally “selected” from each batch of materials and are less available than planks with character, you can expect “Select” grade material to be slightly more expensive than “Select Character” equivalents.
You will notice that some of our colors are available in both grades! This is to give you the option to choose the color you want, in the grade you want.
If you see a color without a grade in the name, such as Luna, this color is “Select Character” grade. If you see a color with Select in the name, such as Luna Select, this color is “Select” grade.
If you are still not sure and want to see a color in Select grade that is not currently offered, just contact us and we will be more than happy to explain and/or special order the color you are looking for!
At Allora, we pride ourselves on the beautiful colors and consistency of our hardwood floors. All Allora floors are crafted from only the highest quality European Oak, with an ultra-premium Birch plywood engineered construction, stained and finished to perfection. Best of all, Allora floors are 100% Made in Italy, by experienced artisans and craftspeople, who have been manufacturing hardwood flooring for generations.
In conclusion, choosing between Select and Select Character grade flooring is a personal choice based on your taste, budget, and the style of your space. Whether you prefer a clean, uniform look or a charming, natural appearance, we have an option for you that will surpass your expectations.
