June 1, 2026 · 5 min read · TQF team
Unfinished hardwood grades — Select & Better to Common #3
Grade is about look, not strength
A common mistake: assuming a higher grade is a "better" or harder floor. It isn't. Every grade of the same species has identical hardness and structural durability. Mill grade only sorts boards by appearance — knots, mineral streaks, color variation and average board length.
So the grade you pick is a design decision and a budget decision, not a quality one.
The four grades we offer
| Grade | Character |
|---|---|
| Select & Better | Minimal knots, longest boards, most uniform color |
| Common #1 | Light character, small knots, some color range |
| Common #2 | Visible knots, mineral streaks, wider color range |
| Common #3 | Heavy character, large knots, rustic |
How to choose
- Clean, modern, uniform floor → Select & Better. Fewer knots, longer boards, less waste.
- Warm, lived-in but not rustic → Common #1. Best value for most homes.
- Farmhouse / rustic / cabin → Common #2 or #3. The character *is* the look, and you save per square foot.
What's on hand
Unfinished is what we keep on hand. Call (847) 233-6300 and we'll tell you what we have in each grade today.
See the full unfinished lineup → — species, mills, and DIY install videos.