Grading For Western European Oak

Forestry Timber has 7 categories of grading for western European Oak, which is mainly sourced from France and Germany.

These images are representative of each category of grading, however, each plank has it’s own unique characteristics which are similar to finger prints. Our flooring packs will have a combination of planks, therefore, it is recommended that 4 to 6 packs are opened and laid out prior to installation this will ensure an even distribution of grading in a room.

Accuracy of colour and wood characteristics: whilst we have made every effort to ensure the colours and wood characteristics displayed on our website are as accurate as possible these images may vary from the actual product.

PRIMA GRADE

Forestry Timber’s Prima grade represents the pinnacle of our oak selection, offering an exceptionally refined appearance with minimal knots for a cleaner premium look. The natural hue of the oak is remarkably uniform across the planks, showcasing a consistent, elegant tone with no prominent character markings or colour variations. Due to the unparalleled clarity and quality of this grade, the raw material is highly limited in availability.

NATURE GRADE

Forestry Timber’s Nature grade oak showcases a beautifully balanced character with occasional markings, including filled, grouped, and sound knots. Subtle variations in colour between planks add depth and charm, creating a truly stunning aesthetic for any floor.

RUSTIC GRADE

Forestry Timber’s Rustic oak is a perennial favourite, celebrated for its rich character and distinctive features. Each plank showcases unique wood markings, including sapwood and knots, as well as occasional faux end cracks, enhancing its natural appeal. Striking colour contrasts between planks add depth and warmth, making the Rustic grade floor a captivating choice.

SIGNATURE GRADE

The Signature grade is a thoughtfully curated selection of extra-wide planks, ranging from 290mm to 400mm, designed to showcase the distinctive natural beauty of Western European Oak. These planks are carefully chosen to highlight the wood’s inherent charm, featuring surface knots, heart knots, grouped knots, and sound knots. A limited presence of edge knots, end cracks, and some sapwood further adds to their character.

The Signature grade celebrates the timeless appeal of Western European Oak in its most natural form and design, emphasizing its unique colour variations enriched by tannins and mineral streaks in the heartwood. This grade offers a stunning and authentic flooring solution, perfect for creating a warm and visually captivating ambiance in both residential and commercial spaces.

ANTIQUE GRADE

Forestry Timber’s Antique Collection captures the timeless beauty of oak with its rich character and charm. Each plank showcases a variety of natural features, including heart knots, surface knots, end cracks, and sapwood, adding depth and authenticity. The inherent colour contrasts, influenced by the wood’s tannins, further enhance its unique appeal. Paired with bespoke surface treatments, the Antique Collection delivers flooring with a truly aged and authentic aesthetic, perfect for creating a warm, vintage inspired ambiance.

LIFESTYLE GRADE

Forestry Timber’s Lifestyle grading is featured in our Lifestyle, Heritage, Island, and River collections—some of our most popular ranges, celebrated for their diverse and reactive colour options. Similar to the Antique grading, this selection also includes edge knots, enhancing its natural charm. Each plank beautifully captures the artistic essence of the tree’s unique characteristics, making these collections a top choice for those seeking distinctive and visually stunning flooring solutions.

VARIANTE GRADE

Responding to client requests for floors with more pronounced character, Forestry Timber created the Variante grade. This selection features a range of knot sizes, including surface knots, and incorporates soundboards from the tree’s centre, which may include filled heart cracks. The planks exhibit subtle colour variations and showcase sapwood characteristics, enhancing the unique and natural beauty of the floor.

HERRINGBONE NATURE GRADE

Herringbone Nature is a balanced, natural character with occasional knots, reflecting the authentic premier grade of herringbone.

HERRINGBONE SIGNATURE GRADE

Signature Herringbone presents a controlled, elegant look that retains natural warmth, free from heavier visual features.

HERRINGBONE RUSTIC GRADE

Rustic Herringbone embraces the full range of natural features, resulting in a warm, expressive, and authentically textured appearance.

Filled Knots & Fillers

Knots are a natural visible characteristics in wood grain. These knots are formed by side branches or the base of the tree trunk. Open knots are usually sealed with filler which may be in various colours: white, grey brown or black.