Understanding Parquet Flooring Grades
A Practical Guide for Choosing the Right Fit
When choosing oak flooring, appearance isn’t just about colour and finish—it’s also about grade. Grading defines the visual character of the timber, from smooth and uniform to boldly rustic, and helps you match your flooring to the aesthetic of your space. It doesn’t impact the structural quality of the wood—just the look.
Below is our Parquet Flooring grade guide to help you decide which suits your project best.
Chevron Flooring Grades
(Chevron 45°)
Due to the smaller size and decorative layout of parquet blocks, grading has slightly different parameters. Here’s what you need to know:
Select Grade
- Clean, natural appearance with fine detail
- Allows: Sound pin knots and small features up to 10 mm
- Excludes: Sapwood, bark pockets, end splits, and other surface defects
- Offers subtle variation for a more refined geometric look
Nature Grade
- Slightly more expressive than Character, without crossing into rustic
- Allows: Healthy, sound knots up to 20 mm, filled open knots up to 10 mm
- Excludes: Bark pockets, sapwood, end splits, or mechanical flaws
- Natural variation is visible but balanced
Character Grade
- Designed for those who appreciate rich detail and visible grain
- Allows: Healthy knots up to 30 mm, filled open knots up to 15 mm
- Permits natural wood features like heartwood discolouration, tanning stains, ingrown barn pockets, mix cut, and slope of grain
- Sapwood and end splits are not permitted, ensuring structure and stability
- Ideal for adding a bold, organic look to patterned flooring
Herringbone Flooring Grades
(Herringbone 90°)
Select Grade
- Clean, natural appearance with fine detail
- Allows: Sound pin knots and small features up to 10 mm
- Excludes: Sapwood, bark pockets, end splits, and other surface defects
- Offers subtle variation for a more refined geometric look
Nature Grade
- Slightly more expressive than Character, without crossing into rustic
- Allows: Healthy, sound knots up to 20 mm, filled open knots up to 10 mm
- Excludes: Bark pockets, sapwood, end splits, or mechanical flaws
- Natural variation is visible but balanced
Character Grade
- Designed for those who appreciate rich detail and visible grain
- Allows: Healthy knots up to 30 mm, filled open knots up to 15 mm
- Permits natural wood features like heartwood discolouration, tanning stains, ingrown barn pockets, mix cut, and slope of grain
- Sapwood and end splits are not permitted, ensuring structure and stability
- Ideal for adding a bold, organic look to patterned flooring
Choosing What’s Right for You
- Prefer a cleaner, more uniform look? Stick with Select Grade.
- Looking for natural character without going too rustic?
Character or Nature Grade might be your sweet spot. - Want the full natural story of oak, with bold textures and grain patterns?
Choose Rustic Grade (for planks) or Character Grade (for parquet).
Whether you’re aiming for a contemporary interior or something with more warmth and organic detail, understanding flooring grades helps you make a confident choice.
If you’re still unsure, feel free to request samples or speak with one of our team—seeing and feeling the difference in person often makes all the difference.