Each wood species used to manufacture hardwood flooring has its own unique grain and color characteristics. From the understated uniform look of Maple to the heavily contrasting rich grain of exotic Tigerwood, each wood species is a matter of personal taste and depends very much on the overall effect you want to achieve for your space. Some wood species are used for their ability to take on gray or white stains such as trendy White Oak and others are used for their reddish undertones such as Mahogany and Cherry. This section will give you an overview of each wood species offered by Lauzon to help you discover each species and how it may enhance your décor.
The floor hardness, indicated by a Janka scale rating, should not be a deciding factor when choosing your floor since no wood is scratch or dent proof and the Janka scale is irrelevant when choosing an engineered construction since the overall strength of the wood will include the core layers.
Hard Maple
Grades
Grades are used to rate wood flooring based solely on appearance and uniformity, never on quality.
The difference between grades lies in the prominence of characteristics typical of each species, such as color variations and presence of sound knots or checks (cracks). You can choose the grade that best suits your style, based on the wide variety available.
Select & Better – International
Combination of Clear and Select grades - Slight color variations - Small sound knots - No splits or open checks.
Pacific – Heritage – Exclusive
Combination of Select & Better and Colonial hardwood flooring grades - Full range of natural color variations, from darkest to lightest - sound knots - occasional checks.
Quarter Sawn
The consistent grain of this hardwood flooring communicates sophistication, refinement, and discrete charm.
Quarter sawing means cutting at a 90-degree angle from the growth rings on a log to produce a vertical and uniform pattern grain. The grain on the face of a quarter-sawn board will be parallel lines that are straight, tight and run the length of the board. The closer the growth rings are to being 90-degrees from the face of the board, the greater the chance to getting the famous medullary ray flecks. Additional aesthetics include wavy and interlocked grains.
Red
Predominantly in the pink tones with occasional sound knots. All color variation allowed, from sapwood to pink. Sound knots permitted. Occasional checks.
Antique
Antique look with timeless finishing technique. All color variation allowed. Reddish, light brown and pink shades allowed. Small lines or white dots permitted. Two tone variations rending and antique look finish.
Essential
Slight color variation and occasional sound knots, combination of select & better and colonial grades. Allows all color variation. Sound knots and filled knots permitted. Occasional checks.
Country
Contains all sound characteristics - All natural color variations allowed - Occasional open knots - Checks permitted.
Colonial
Full range of natural color variations of the hardwood flooring, from darkest to lightest - Sound knots - Light checks - Rustic appearance.
