Timber floor characteristics
Species and Colour
There is a large variety of timber species, colour and features available in hardwood flooring. Table 1 lists timber species into broad colour groups.

Since timber is a natural product, it may have a wide variety of natural features and colour variation within the one species. Every floor will be unique and may well vary from timber samples or showroom displays. Refer to Timber Species Guides for detailed descriptions of each specie.

Sapwood of many native species is much lighter in colour than the adjacent heartwood.
Some manufacturers may also group a number of similarly featured species together and give that grouping a marketing name unique to that supplier. Where this is the case, reference will need to be made to the producer or supplier to nominate these species if required.

Hardness indicates a species’ resistance to indentation and abrasion. Damage to timber floors may arise from heavy foot traffic, stiletto heels, the moving of furniture and the like. The Species Guide for Hardwood and Cypress includes a ‘Janka’ rating of all timbers listed. The higher the rating number the more resistant the timber is to indentation and abrasion. As a general guide:
 

Timber Flooring Grades
Milled timber products such as tongued and grooved flooring and parquet are graded in accordance with the amount of naturally occurring features such as gum vein, tight knots, checks (thin shrinkage cracks), borer holes etc. The allowances for each of the grades is set out in Australian Standard AS2796.2 Timber Hardwood – Sawn and Milled Products – Grade Description for Hardwood, and AS1810 Seasoned Cypress Pine – Milled Products.

These features do not impact structurally on the product, and offer a uniqueness and character to the material.
There are four grades under the hardwood standard;

• Select Grade – minimum amount of features.
  
• Medium Feature Grade – medium amount of features.
  
• High Feature Grade – high proportion of features.
  
• Parquet Clear – generally clear of features.

• Grade 1 – medium amount of features.
  
• Grade 2 – high proportion of features.