What is Natural Grade Hardwood Flooring? (5 Benefits You Must Know)
I remember walking into a century-old home once, the kind where the floors tell stories of decades past. The rich, warm tones beneath my feet whispered of craftsmanship and timeless beauty. That’s when I first truly started appreciating natural grade hardwood flooring. If you’ve ever wondered what makes hardwood flooring stand out, especially the natural grade kind, let me share some insights from my years in the trade.
What is Natural Grade Hardwood Flooring?
Natural grade hardwood flooring is flooring made from solid wood planks that highlight the wood’s natural appearance, including its unique characteristics such as knots, color variations, mineral streaks, and grain patterns. Unlike higher-grade hardwoods that aim for uniformity and minimal imperfections, natural grade wood embraces these natural features, allowing each plank to tell a story.
The term “natural grade” essentially means the wood is milled and sorted to preserve most of its original traits. These characteristics are not defects but features that add charm and character. You might spot small knots or variations in color that result from how the tree grew over time.
To give you a clearer picture, when lumber mills sort wood by grades, they classify wood based on appearance:
- Select or Clear Grade: Minimal knots or blemishes; very uniform appearance.
- Natural Grade: Some knots and color variation; moderate uniformity.
- Rustic Grade: Many knots, cracks, and color variations; very rugged look.
Natural grade sits comfortably between Select and Rustic grades. It offers a balance—more character than Select but less extreme than Rustic.
How Does It Differ From Other Flooring Types?
Natural grade hardwood is different not only from Select and Rustic grades but also from other flooring materials like engineered hardwood, laminate, and vinyl.
- Engineered Hardwood: Made of several layers of wood veneer glued together; more stable in humid environments.
- Laminate Flooring: A photographic layer mimics wood; less expensive but less authentic.
- Vinyl Planks: Synthetic material designed to look like wood; highly durable but no real wood.
Natural grade hardwood is solid wood and offers authenticity unmatched by these alternatives. Its solid composition allows it to be sanded and refinished multiple times—something engineered or laminate floors can’t do as effectively.
Why I Prefer Natural Grade Hardwood Flooring: Personal Experience
When I first started working with hardwood floors over 15 years ago, I mostly dealt with Select grade wood because clients wanted that flawless look. It’s clean, bright, and fits modern décor well. But I noticed that over time, many homeowners grew bored with the uniformity.
Then I installed natural grade hardwood in a customer’s home who wanted something with more “life.” The knots and grain variations gave the floor character. It wasn’t perfect—but it was beautiful in its own way. The floor became a conversation piece.
Since then, I’ve installed hundreds of square feet of natural grade hardwood across various species—oak, hickory, maple—and each project has given me new appreciation for this middle-ground option.
Natural Grade Hardwood vs. Select and Rustic Grades: Which Should You Choose?
Choosing between these grades isn’t always straightforward. Here’s how I break it down for my clients:
| Feature | Select Grade | Natural Grade | Rustic Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Very uniform; minimal knots or imperfections | Has some knots/color variation but fairly consistent | Very rustic; many knots/cracks/colors |
| Price | Highest | Moderate | Lowest |
| Character | Low; clean & polished | Medium; natural beauty | High; rugged & bold |
| Maintenance | Easy due to smooth surface | Similar to select | Can require more care |
| Best For | Modern, formal spaces | Traditional & transitional | Farmhouse & rustic styles |
I often suggest natural grade for clients who want durability without sacrificing warmth or texture in their floors.
5 Benefits of Natural Grade Hardwood Flooring You Must Know
1. Authentic Beauty That Tells a Story
Wood is a living material. Every knot and streak represents years of growth and environmental influence on the tree. Natural grade hardwood flooring reveals these details instead of hiding them.
I had a client whose home was a mix of modern furnishings but with a natural grade oak floor throughout. Friends who visited kept commenting on how inviting and warm the floors felt—it was because the natural variations made the space feel more organic.
2. Cost Savings Without Compromising Quality
Natural grade hardwood flooring often costs less than Select grade—generally 10-20% cheaper per square foot. Why? Because mills don’t have to discard planks with minor imperfections; instead, they use more of the harvested wood.
For example, from my past projects using FloorTally for estimates:
- Select grade oak: $8 – $12 per sq.ft.
- Natural grade oak: $6 – $9 per sq.ft.
These numbers include materials and labor in my region. For large jobs (2,000+ sq.ft.), this difference can mean thousands saved without losing the durability or appeal of hardwood.
3. Durable Enough for Homes With Heavy Use
One concern many people have is whether knots or streaks weaken the wood. From my experience installing floors in family homes with children and pets, natural grade hardwood holds up well.
Species choice matters here—oak and hickory are dense woods that resist dents and scratches better than softer woods like pine.
In one case study, a family with two young kids installed natural grade hickory flooring in their kitchen and living room. After four years, the floors showed normal wear but no structural issues related to knots or grain variation.
4. Easy to Maintain Over Time
Natural grade floors finished with durable coatings like polyurethane or aluminum oxide are easy to clean and maintain.
In commercial settings like cafés or boutiques with natural grade floors, simple daily sweeping and occasional mopping keep floors looking fresh. When scratches or dullness appear after years, sanding and refinishing restore beauty without replacing boards.
5. Environmentally Friendly Choice That Reduces Waste
Using natural grade wood maximizes lumber usage by including boards that others might reject due to cosmetic reasons. This reduces waste significantly.
From a sustainability standpoint, this is a big plus. Lumber mills produce millions of board feet annually; by opting for natural grade flooring, you help utilize wood resources better.
Some clients actively seek natural grade flooring for this reason—it aligns with their values while providing gorgeous floors.
Detailed Case Studies From My Projects
Case Study 1: Historic Home Renovation With Natural Grade Oak
A couple restoring a 1920s Craftsman wanted floors that respected the home’s era but still felt fresh. We picked natural grade white oak to highlight the wood’s character without overwhelming the space with rustic elements.
- 1,800 sq.ft. installed.
- Cost was approximately $9 per sq.ft., including labor.
- Knots and grain added warmth.
- After two years: minimal wear observed; satisfied homeowners.
Case Study 2: Modern Loft With Select Grade Maple
For contrast, I installed select grade maple in a downtown loft aiming for a clean aesthetic.
- 1,200 sq.ft.
- Cost: Around $11 per sq.ft.
- Uniform look suited minimalist décor.
- Client loved brightness but later said they missed some “character” in the wood.
Case Study 3: Family Kitchen Using Natural Grade Hickory
In a busy kitchen with kids and pets:
- Installed natural grade hickory over 500 sq.ft.
- Cost: $8 per sq.ft.
- High durability despite visible knots.
- Client reported ease of maintenance and loved unique color variations.
How I Use FloorTally for Cost Estimation and Planning
Budgeting is often one of the hardest parts of flooring projects. I’ve tried many methods—from manual spreadsheets to multiple quotes—but FloorTally stands out for me because:
- It uses local labor and material rates.
- I can input species type and grade (including natural).
- It includes waste factor calculations (usually 5-10%) based on room shape and plank size.
- It shows total project cost breakdowns clearly.
This lets me give clients realistic estimates quickly—avoiding surprises later on. It also helps me compare different grades side-by-side so clients can make informed choices based on budget and style preferences.
Species Choices Commonly Used in Natural Grade Hardwood Flooring
Choosing the right wood species is key to how your floor looks and performs over time. Here are some popular options for natural grade hardwood:
| Species | Hardness (Janka Scale) | Appearance Traits | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Oak | 1,360 | Light to medium brown with prominent grain | Versatile; traditional & modern homes |
| Red Oak | 1,290 | Warm reddish tones; open grain | Classic hardwood floors |
| Hickory | 1,820 | Varied colors from light to dark brown | High traffic areas due to toughness |
| Maple | 1,450 | Light color; fine grain | Sleek look; modern interiors |
| Walnut | 1,010 | Dark brown with rich grain | Luxury flooring options |
I often recommend hickory or oak for families because of their durability combined with beautiful natural grain variation ideal for natural grade flooring.
Installation Tips I’ve Learned Over the Years
Installing natural grade hardwood requires attention to detail—not just because of the wood itself but also to highlight its character:
- Acclimate Wood Properly: Let planks sit in the installation area for at least 3–5 days so they adjust to humidity.
- Plan Layout Thoughtfully: Arrange boards so knots or streaks enhance rather than distract from the room’s look.
- Use Quality Underlayment: Helps reduce noise and prevent moisture damage.
- Allow Expansion Gaps: Wood expands/contracts naturally; gaps prevent buckling.
- Finish Carefully: Use finishes that protect but don’t mask natural beauty.
On one project where we didn’t plan layout carefully, some darker knots clustered in one section looked too heavy visually. After rearranging boards, the floor balanced perfectly.
Common Questions I Get About Natural Grade Hardwood Flooring
Q: Will knots cause the floor to crack or weaken?
A: Not if you pick a strong species like oak or hickory. Knots are harder areas within the wood grain and don’t typically affect structural integrity when properly milled.
Q: Does natural grade show scratches more easily?
A: Not necessarily—scratches depend more on finish type than wood grade. A good polyurethane finish protects well regardless of grading.
Q: Can I refinish natural grade hardwood?
A: Absolutely! One advantage of solid hardwood is you can sand down scratches or wear multiple times over decades.
Q: Is natural grade harder to clean?
A: No—cleaning is about routine care. Sweeping regularly and using damp mops work for all grades equally.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Natural Grade Hardwood Flooring
If you want floors that feel genuine with visible character marks—knots, grain swirls, color shifts—natural grade hardwood is worth serious consideration. It balances cost savings with aesthetic appeal and durability better than many other options.
Ask yourself: How much personality do you want your floors to have? Would you prefer a flawless surface or one that shows nature’s fingerprint?
From what I’ve seen after years of working with various flooring types, natural grade hits a great spot for homeowners seeking authenticity without breaking the bank. And if budget’s tight but you want real wood’s warmth, it’s an excellent choice.
Feel free to reach out if you want advice on choosing species or finishes—I’ve got plenty of stories from real installs that could help guide your decision!
