Oak Flooring

Buffalo Lumber's Red Oak and White Oak solid hardwood flooring is NOFMA Certified. Appearance determines the grade of each hardwood flooring piece. All grades are equally strong and serviceable in your flooring application. Red and white oak for hardwood flooring boards rank among the top hardwood species used for flooring. Extremely hard and durable but not too hard to work with. Rift grain, generally found in oak only, is the straightest grain free from most natural wavy (cathedral) wood variations. Because of this consistency, density and hardness, Oak hardwood floors retain their beauty through years of hard use and wear.
 
The main difference between the #2, #1 and Select grades is the amount of NOFMA allowed grain contrast, color and naturally occuring wood "figure" characteristics. "Figure" is the pattern produced in a wood surface by annual growth rings, rays, knots, deviations from regular grain, such as interlocked and wavy, and irregular coloration. Personally we like the #2!
 
The #2 common rustic grade is a value priced hardwood with all the same milling and finish of the higher grades. The #2 will contain more wood characteristics such as color variation, knots of all shapes and sizes, mineral streaks, checks, worm holes and grain burls. The #1 standard grade will limit these unique and natural characteristics while the exposed face of Select & Better will contain mostly clear, unmarked and unstained wood grain.

OAK FLOORING WHEN YOU ARE READY! We are proud to offer mill direct flooring delivery. This is the installer's dream. Your hardwood solid oak floor arrives in pristine condition. Minimal handling, no extended storage requirements, no worry about weather, just beautiful Red or White Oak solid hardwood floors ready to be installed.

Red & White Oak Flooring #3 Common

2 1/4" Solid White & Red Oak Flooring Mix T&G
Unfinished - 700 SQFT Min - $665 per unit
VERY Limited Quantity

Oak hardwood flooring is usually synonymous with expensive. Not so for the character wood lover. The highest grades of solid oak hardwood flooring retail unfinished for over $3.00/sqft. It is designed to have minimal flaws and a very consistent grain pattern. When installed there is little variation, creating a seamless and clean appearance. It is a pleasing effect if you are going for the precision look.

We character wood lovers say BORING! Contrast is character, the more variation the better. Take a look at the grades chart, the top grades are almost anesthetic. As you go down the list they allow more contrast in the look (which is a good thing) and still offer a 85-90% useable product. A beautiful solid oak wood flooring perfect for the rustic character wood lover. Oh yeah by the way character wood flooring lovers save more than 100% over retail.

Wood character is cool, contrast creates history and the oak wood floor is gorgeous. The prices of our oak flooring make it even more appealing. Oak hardwood floors with knots and grains and contrast at ½ price, sign me up! If you are a character wood lover you will know as soon as you look at the grade charts. We invite you to be cheap and knotty and laugh all the way to the bank.

The catch - When something is discounted there is always a reason why. In the case of our #3 common oak hardwood flooring the catch is –

It all comes down to contrast in the oak wood grading system. The more contrast you allow the less expensive the wood. The manufacturers state that every piece can be utilized and that most flaws are not contained on the useable face of the product. 85-90% utilization means that perception is the biggest factor in the price. If you like contrast you will save big money.

The mix of red and white oak wood boards (a beautiful combination) is not noticeable to the lay person. When the flooring is stained the differences in the shades of wood add to the contrast effect which is a bonus for the character wood lover. The fact that they have more shorts means a little extra work for the savings. We will show you the look and the math and you can decide. Saving thousands of dollars makes character very appealing to us.

The down grade packages are sold in 700sq ft bundled lots. These are estimated footages and can vary slightly between units. NOFMA grading standards state that #3 common grade may contain natural variations of the forest product and manufacturing imperfections. The purpose of this grade is to furnish a floor suitable for cabins, utility use, or where character marks, material defects, contrasting appearance and low cost is desired. Some pieces may not be usable. It is recommended that the customer add 10 to 15% waste to their order.

The NOFMA Standard - You know you're getting a consistent product because NOFMA members' grades are certified. NOFMA's Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association has been the voice of authority for the wood flooring industry since 1909. Beware of grade names other than NOFMA's Hardwood Select, #1, #2 and #3.

Buyer beware: Be sure that the other hardwood grade names you find on the net such as "Chararcter C & Better" can be matched to one of these NOFMA certified grades.

The National Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA) certification requires manufacturers to meet strict standards in the four critical areas of wood flooring manufacture: Grade, Configuration, Moisture Content and Average Length. These standards include rules for tongueand groove fit and location, flooring thickness, end-squareness, width consistency, moisture content, average length, and grading standards. The standards are in place to ensure that flooring purchased from a NOFMA-certified manufacturer will fit together neatly and the installed floor will not require excessive sanding. NOFMA standards call for moisture content at manufacture to be compatible with the range of site conditions likely to be encountered so that the end-user can be assured the flooring will perform as expected, without experiencing excessive gaps, cupping, crowning or buckling. NOFMA’s minimum average length requirements help ensure that expectations are met regarding ease of installation, coverage and frequency of end-joints."

Bundles shall be 1-1/4' and longer through 8', as the stock will produce.

Appearance alone determines the grade of each hardwood flooring piece all grades are equally strong and serviceable in any application.

Flooring generally free of eye catching blemishes is known as "Clear", though it still may contain burls, streaks and pinworm holes. "Select" is almost clear, but this grade contains more of the natural color variations and characteristics such as knots and other marks. The Common grades, #1 and #2, have more markings than either of the other two grades and are often specified because of these widely varied natural features and the "strong" character they bring to floors. NOFMA standard varies by grade and wood species.

SELECT & BETTER

Not over 55% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4'; Not more than 25% of the total footage shall be in 2' bundles, and not more than 10% of the footage shall be in 1-1/4' bundles.

Red Oak

A flooring product with coloration variations produced by differences of natural heartwood and sapwood, along with characters described.

The face may contain: unlimited sound sapwood; slight imperfections in milling; a small tight knot every 3'; pin worm holes; burls and a reasonable amount of slightly open checks. Brown streaks should not extend the entire length of a piece. Two flag worm holes to every 8' are permitted. Slight imperfections in face work (torn grain) admitted. An intermittent, brown machine burn across the face not exceeding 1/4" width admitted. Also, a slight quantity of bark on the back or sides admitted. Will admit pieces with 1/2 tongue. Spot filling is generally required for open characters.

White Oak

A flooring product with coloration variations produced by differences of natural heartwood and sapwood, along with characters described.

The face may contain: unlimited sound sapwood; slight imperfections in milling; a small tight knot every 3'; pin worm holes; burls and a reasonable amount of slightly open checks. Brown streaks should not extend the entire length of a piece. Two flag worm holes to every 8' are permitted. Slight imperfections in face work (torn grain) admitted. An intermittent, brown machine burn across the face not exceeding 1/4" width admitted. Also, a slight quantity of bark on the back or sides admitted. Will admit pieces with 1/2 tongue. Spot filling is generally required for open characters.

#1 COMMON

Not over 60% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4', not more than 27% of the total footage shall be in 2' bundles; and not more than 15% of the footage shall be in 1-1/4' bundles.

Red Oak

A flooring product which contains prominent variations in coloration and varying characters.

The following are not admitted: broken knots over 1/2" in diameter, large grub worm holes; and splits extending through the piece. Open characters such as checks and knot holes are admitted, but must be sound and readily fill. Not more than 20" scant stock in thickness allowed to every 5'. Minor imperfections in machining permitted. Shall admit sticker stain; varying wood characteristics, such as flag worm holes, heavy streaks, checks, and worm holes; and an occasional dark machine burn across the face not exceeding 1/2" wide, 1/64" deep and not more than two each 3'. 1/4 tongue allowed. Extremely dark pieces are not to be included.

White Oak

A flooring product which contains prominent variations in coloration and varying characters.

The following are not admitted: broken knots over 1/2" in diameter, large grub worm holes; and splits extending through the piece.

Open characters such as checks and knot holes are admitted, but must be sound and readily fill. Not more than 20" scant stock in thickness allowed to every 5'.

Minor imperfections in machining permitted. Shall admit sticker stain; varying wood characteristics, such as flag worm holes, heavy streaks, checks, and worm holes; and an occasional dark machine burn across the face not exceeding 1/2" wide, 1/64" deep and not more than two each 3'. 1/4 tongue allowed. Extremely dark pieces are not to be included.

#2 COMMON

Not over 85% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4'; and not more than 55% of the total footage shall be 1-1/4' bundles.

Red Oak

May contain sound natural variations of the forest product and manufacturing imperfections. The purpose of this grade is to furnish a floor suitable for homes, general utility use, or where character marks and contrasting appearance is desired.

The following are not admitted: shattered or rotten ends, large broken knots, excessive bad millwork, shake, advanced rot, and similar unsound defects. Dark machine burns exceeding 3/64" deep not admitted. Knot holes and open characters which will readily fill are admitted. A limited number of pieces with no tongue which may be face nailed are admitted.

White Oak

May contain sound natural variations of the forest product and manufacturing imperfections. The purpose of this grade is to furnish a floor suitable for homes, general utility use, or where character marks and contrasting appearance is desired.

The following are not admitted: shattered or rotten ends, large broken knots, excessive bad millwork, shake, advanced rot, and similar unsound defects. Dark machine burns exceeding 3/64" deep not admitted. Knot holes and open characters which will readily fill are admitted. A limited number of pieces with no tongue which may be face nailed are admitted.

#3 COMMON

May contain natural variations of the forest product and manufacturing imperfections. The purpose of this grade is to furnish a floor suitable for cabins, utility use, or where character marks, material defects, contrasting appearance and low cost is desired. Some pieces may not be usable it is recommended that the customer add 10 to 15% waste to their order.

Rustic #3 common is sometimes called Cabin Grade or Tavern Grade. Cabin Grade will have more of the wood's natural flaws such as: unlimited sound knots with open cracks to 1/2", wormholes, bark pockets, open checks and splits to 1/4" x 3". The face may contain the following imperfections in the finishing: bubbles, skips in the finish, lines, stain/color variations, surface handling scratches, rough finish, unlimited white grain, debris to a quarter of a piece and wood filler.

However, the following characters are NOT admitted: mis-manufactured boards, shattered or rotten ends, large open knots and other unsound defects of similar nature, pieces with less than a quarter of a full tongue, and delamination.

Wastage is highly dependent upon the quality of floor desired. When installed by a professional flooring installer familiar with cabin grade grading rules, there is around 10-15% wastage factor.

"Where the Cedar Meets the Redwood"
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Buffalo Lumber CO Headquarters
1588 Murfreesboro Rd
Woodbury, TN 37190

National Shipping and Delivery

WE DELIVER EVERYWHERE!

Each delivery is quoted individually after the products have been selected. We carry products from suppliers located all across the country. Each delivery will be calculated based on location of customer, location of product manufacturer and weight of total shipment.
 
Mill Direct to You – Freight brokered straight to customer (this requires the customer have enough room to fit a semi truck into and out of the delivery area, customer provides forklift to unload at job site) 3 to 4 week average turnaround.

LOADED TO GO!

International Shipping and Delivery

Container loading available!

Buffalo Lumber offers full 20 and 40 foot container quotes internationally. Europe, Asia, anywhere a container will go we can get it there. At this time Buffalo Lumber can only quote full 20 and 40 foot containers, smaller shipments would be customer arranged.

Delivery to and around the following US Cities and Zips:

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