Kiln-Dried Timbers at Timberzoo

Terms Used in Appearance Grading of Flooring

SELECT GRADE: Low or minimal natural features. Once upon a time, graded by board selection; nowadays by board docking. A resource-wasteful process with an outcome that does not typify the species it claims to represent. We call it grading to blandness.

STANDARD GRADE: Medium-level natural feature. Again - grading by docking saw means the long run-of-mill boards are shared between grades and no single grade claims a 4.0m or better board. 

NATURAL FEATURE GRADE: (NFG) Moderate to high natural features. A grade that uses far more of the available timber resource without waste. NFG represents good value in the marketplace for buyers and is a verifiable green choice that minimises waste and promotes a sustainable sawmilling industry. There is not a predominance of 3.0m plus boards in NFG - but that is redeemed by the modern practice of end-matching. Installation can be tailored to highlight long boards in areas of high visibility and by timber tone-matching butt-joined shorts. This is a very successful practice in NFG installations and can render many joins indistinct. See our showroom displays for guidance.

Natural Features:  NFG timbers - particularly Spotted Gum - contain boards with dense crossgrain. This includes fiddleback or wavy grain that is difficult to plane and has minor chipping or a general wooliness of the surface. The reward for perseverance with these boards is fabulous visual interest post-sanding. The types of feature associated with native species also include knot, kino, burls, hobnails, minor check splits and black speck. The extent and limits of these are defined by the grade, but a firsthand perspective can, and should, be gained by inspection of our packs and displays.