Solid Wood Choices

What is Solid Wood: Solid Wood is exactly what it says, it is a plank or strip of solid wood cut as one piece out off a tree or log.

Solid Wood Cuts Available
Below are the most common types of cuts available in solid wood floors.

• Plain Sawn: This is the most common cut and display the patterns of the growth rings.
• Quarter Sawn: This cut displays the growth pattern in a linear form in the length of the board, this type of board is more stable and wears more evenly than the Plain sawn cut.
• Rift Sawn: This cut is similar to the quarter cut and each plank display very similar growth patterns creating more uniformity in the floor. This cut is the most expensive due to the large amounts of wastage but is also the most stable of the cuts making it ideal for areas with extremes of temperatures and humidity changes.

Plank Styles and Widths

• Strips: This plank is made up of solid wood strips that are usually between 3 to 8cm in width and creates a linear effect which is best used if you want the area to look bigger. This style is the most common and usually also the most affordable.
• Planks: This is a solid piece of wood which is also linear in width and is usually between 8 to 20cm in width.
• Parquet: This floor is made up of a series of wood pieces which forms a design.

Plank Lengths

• Even Lengths: The length of the planks is all the same and this length can differ from about 1.2m to 2.0m in length. With Parquet flooring and other designs the lengths will be much shorter.
• Random Lengths: You get mixed lengths in a box, usually 3 to 5 different lengths and usually from .50m to 1.5m in length.

Fitting System

Solid wood floors are only available in a tongue and groove system and can glued to the screed, a special underlay can be used with its own very strong adhesive to which hold the planks in place or the planks can be nailed onto battens. Due to the natural movement of solid wood it is not available in a click lock system or floating floor.

Grades
When it comes to solid wood then the grade only determines the look of the plank, all grades are of equal quality and strength.

• First or Clear: This wood is clear or free of defects like knots and are fairly uniform in colour.
• Second or Select: Some knots and colour variations is acceptable in this grade.
• Third or Common: Displays more knots and colour variation than the previous 2 grades, this type is sometimes the most popular due to it displaying all the characters of the particular wood specie, giving the floor a more rustic feel. Some flags and wormholes might be acceptable in this grade.

Surface Textures

• Smooth Finish: This board was sanded after being cut and left with a smooth finish.
• Wire Brushed: By using a wire brush the softer sapwood get removed after cutting which exposes the grain of the plank more.
• Hand Scraped: Here the plank is scraped with a tool by hand to create uneven surface which resembles a worn and very old plank, this method gives a lot of character to the plank and as it is done by hand none of the planks will have the same pattern but the cost will also be higher as it is labour and time intense.
• Distressed: Similar to hand scraped but less obvious these planks are distressed by hand or machine to give your floor a more worn look.

Square Edge or V-Joint / Bevelled Edge

• Square Edge: The planks joins together 100% even giving a smooth look to the floor surface.
• V-Joint: These planks has a bevelled edge on all 4 sides, the 4 V-Joint allows each individual plank to be noticeable, normally giving more definition and character to the floor surface.

Solid Wood Colours

Solid wood is naturally available in different colours from lighter colours like Ash and Maple to the darker colours like Brazilian Cherry and species with natural colour variations. The lighter colours can be stained to any darker shade, this stain can also be applied unevenly which creates colour variations.

Surface Finishes

• Un-Finished: These floors are cut to size and a texture is applied to the surface but no protecting layer or coating is applied. These floors can be stained or treated as you prefer after installation but will extend installation time with a day or two. Generally depending on the type of finish the Pre-Finished quality is better and more durable. If you prefer to use a natural oil from time to time like linseed then this might be the better option for you.
• Pre-Finished: These floors are finished in the factory and the manufacturer will usually apply 3 to 8 coats of UV resistant finish and some a aluminium oxide finish which is superior to the other kinds of finishes. Ask your retailer about the finish applied as there are many different kinds, like oils, lacquer, acrylic, polyurethane, varnish, wax and epoxy, the guarantee on the finish will give you a good indication of the quality of the particular finish. Keep in mind that high-gloss finishes show scratch marks easier than matt or low-gloss finishes.