Production
Kiln-dried sawn hardwood lumber is selected for suitability according to grade and specification. The lumber is then ripped to obtain the correct width according to the required specification.
Lumber used for the manufacture of flooring is kiln dried to 6-9% MC in line with industry standards and USA building code requirements.
The main NHLA lumber grade used by the flooring industry is No 2 Common, although higher grades will be utilised for wide board flooring and special colour and quality requirements.
Solid hardwood flooring falls in to three main categories:
| Strip: | Strip flooring is planed, and tongue and grooved on the sides and ends. The main thickness is 3/4" (19mm), other thickness are less common but can be produced to order. Face widths (excluding tongue) range from 11/2" (38.1mm) to 31/4" (82.6mm). The main strip size in the USA is 21/4" (57.2mm). Lengths are random and will range usually from 9" (228.6mm) to 8' (2.44m). |
| Plank: | Plank flooring is the same as strip flooring but is available in widths from 4" (101.6mm) to 8" (203.2mm). |
| Parquet/block: | Defined as a short narrow strip, usually less than 4" wide and 18" or less in length. Blocks are usually tongue and grooved, but not necessarily end matched. |