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Elevating Oak: The Art and Science of Oak Floor Grading


When it comes to oak flooring, beauty is just one part of the story. The grading of oak timber ensures that its appearance, structural integrity, and reliability are precisely communicated—traits that Marchand embodies with its premium offerings.

Dual Grading Systems: Beauty Meets Strength

FrenchTimber’s system employs two complementary grading approaches:

  • Appearance grading, under European standard EN 975‑1 (2009), focuses on aesthetic qualities preferred in fine woodworking and interior applications.

  • Structural (mechanical) grading, following French standard NF B 52‑001 (Part 1, 2011), speaks to strength characteristics essential for construction and load-bearing uses.

Together, they guide both designers seeking visual perfection and engineers ensuring safety and performance.



Marchand Oak French Grading
Oak Tree ready for grading


A Symphony of Codes: Understanding Grade Designations for Oak Floor Grading

Grading codes are elegantly concise, composed of:

  1. Q — for Quercus (oak)

  2. A product type letter:

    • B (boules),

    • S (selected boards),

    • F (strips/square‑edged timber), or

    • P (beams)

  3. A quality indicator:

    • A for exceptional quality, followed by descending numbers 1–4 for lesser grades

  4. Optional suffixes X or XX to denote the presence of sound sapwood on one or both faces respectively.

For instance, Q‑B A signifies a top-tier boules grade, while Q‑F 2X indicates square‑edged timber of third-tier quality with sapwood on one face.

What Each Grade Represents: From Pristine to Rustic

Let’s explore the appearance grades more deeply:

  • Q‑B A / Q‑S A (Exceptional): Nearly flawless—straight grain, minimal knots (<20 mm), rare sapwood, and exclusions like bark pockets or rot.

  • Q‑B 1 / Q‑S 1: Very clean—small knots (<5 mm) and limited larger ones, occasional isolated sapwood or imperfections allowed.

  • Q‑B 2 / Q‑S 2: Moderately clean—slightly larger knots, one isolated flaw allowed, and some sapwood or brown pith tolerated.

  • Q‑B 3 / Q‑S 3: A more characterful grade—knots up to 70 mm and inclusions like sapwood or ring shake permitted, giving a gentle rustic aesthetic.

  • Q‑B 4 / Q‑S 4: Embraces natural ruggedness; no restrictions except any contractual exclusions.

Similarly, in Q‑F (strips/square‑edged timber):

  • Q‑F 1a / 1b: Nearly flawless or minimal knots allowed.

  • Q‑F 2, Q‑F 3, Q‑F 4: Increasingly permissive regarding knot size, wane, dead knots, and sapwood presence.

Beams: Harmonizing Aesthetics and Strength

Beams receive both appearance and structural consideration:

  • Appearance grades (Q‑P A, Q‑P 1, Q‑P 2) reflect features like wane tolerance, knot constraints, permissible sapwood or heartwood, and grain slope limits.

  • These map to strength classes under EN 338:

    • Q‑P A → D 30

    • Q‑P 1 → D 24

    • Q‑P 2 → D 18

This correlation allows appearance‑graded oak beams to be assigned engineering‑useful strength values—crucial for specifying structural flooring, stair components, or architectural beams.

Sapwood Indicators: X Marks the Subtle Touch for Oak Floor Grading

Suffixes X and XX signify subtle variations:

  • X: sound sapwood appears on one face

  • XX: on both faces

These nuances help finishers and architects understand the extent of sapwood—critical for aesthetic or durability considerations such as staining or wear behavior.

The ABC Grading System: Making Complexity Simple

While the European “Q” grading system provides exact technical definitions, the ABC grading system simplifies this into a format that clients and designers can understand at a glance. At Marchand, we use this system to describe the look of the oak:

  • A Grade

    • Comparable to Q‑B A or Q‑F 1a.

    • Very clean boards, minimal knots, straight grain, no sapwood on the face.

    • Chosen for sleek, modern interiors.

  • B Grade

    • Roughly aligns with Q‑B 1–2 or Q‑F 1b–2.

    • Small knots, occasional sapwood, some variation.

    • A balance of elegance and natural character.

  • C Grade

    • Closest to Q‑B 3–4 or Q‑F 3–4.

    • Rustic look with larger knots, colour variation, and sapwood.

    • Chosen for those who want authentic, natural character.

Some suppliers also offer AB Grade, blending A and B to give a middle ground.

Why It Matters for Marchand Luxury Oak

At Marchand, the promise of “luxury oak” isn’t just about surface elegance—it’s about guaranteed quality and honesty in specification. Understanding grading allows:

  • Precision in selecting visual tones—from flawless modern sleekness (A) to rustic charm (C).

  • Assurance of performance when using the timber structurally—knowing exactly what strength grade you have.

  • Transparent communication with clients, architects, and craftsmen—fostering trust and reducing on-site surprises.


    Marchand Oak Tree Grove
    Oak Tree Grove


Balancing Character, Clarity & Capability

The French Timber grading system for oak is a refined blend of visual elegance and structural trust. The ABC system makes these technical categories accessible, empowering clients to choose the aesthetic they love while relying on the strength and consistency Marchand guarantees. For Marchand Luxury Oak, grading is not just a technicality—it is the foundation of our promise: delivering not just exquisite wood, but clear, dependable quality.

 
 
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