"There are many wood flooring species, domestic and imported, available to the consumer today. The following chart reveals the relative hardness of some of the most common species used for wood flooring. The harder the wood, the less susceptible it is to denting."

The appearance of the wood determines how it is "graded." All grades are equally strong and serviceable, yet afford the consumer different looks. Oak and ash have four basic grades.

•  "Clear" is free of defects though it may have minor imperfections.
•  "Select" is almost clear, but contains more natural characteristics such as knots and color variations.
•  "Common" grades (No. 1 and No. 2) have more markings than either clear or select and are often chosen because of these natural features and the character they bring to a room. No. 1 Common has a variegated appearance, light and dark colors, knots, flags and worm holes. No 2 Common is rustic in appearance and allow all wood characteristics of the species.

Hard maple, beech, birch and pecan have three grades:

•  "First" has the best appearance, natural color variations and limited character marks.
•  "Second" is variegated in appearance with varying sound wood characteristics of species.
•  "Third" is rustic in appearance allowing all wood characteristics of the species.

Information Provided by the National Wood Flooring Association