Prime Grade / AB Grade

Prime Grade / AB Grade - Glossary

This is the cleanest grade of hardwood or softwood flooring and is usually free from knots and sapwood (or heartwood in the case of sap species such as Ash, Maple and Beech). It is usually free from other defects / characteristics such a shake, ingrown bark, wormhole and dote.

Historically, such clean grades were very much in demand and commanded a vastly higher price than the more rustic and character exhibiting grades. Currently the lower grades, showing more of the natural characteristics of the tree, are the ones in vogue (particularly in Oak) and thus the prices for those grades have virtually achieved parity with prime (given supply and demand conditions), particularly in the temperate species, with the possible exception of Cherry, Walnut and Maple.

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