What should I know about different grades of flooring?

Besides the species of wood, you may choose from various grades of flooring. The grade is a designation describing only the cosmetics of the wood -- all grades exhibit the same strength and longevity throughout the species. The lower grades have a higher concentration of character marks such as knots, worm holes, mineral streaks, and light and dark contrast, for a more rustic look. As you move up in grade, the concentration of character marks decreases and the overall appearance and coloration becomes more uniform. See nwfa.org for a detailed explanation of grading standards.