Maple Beech and Birch Flooring

MAPLE, BEECH, AND BIRCH FLOORING The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association has the following rules for maple, beech, and birch flooring: Clear Grade Clear 13/16 inch and thicker, shall have one face practically free of all defects, but the question of color shall not be considered. Standard lengths in all widths in this grade shall be trimmed 2 to 16 feet; the proportion of lengths 2 to 3 and 1/2 feet shall be what the stock will produce up to 15 per cent.

This grade combines appearance and durability and has a face free of defects that would materially mar the appearance of the finished floor or impair its durability. It will be noted that the standard of appearance is that of a finished floor, not the top of a piano. A practical application of this rule will admit an occasional small sound pin knot not over inch in diameter; dark green or black spots or streaks not over inch wide and 3 inches long or its equivalent; birdeyes and small burls; a slightly torn grain or similar defect which can be readily removed by the ordinary method of smoothing the floor when it is laid; a slightly shallow place not over 12 inches long on under side of flooring if it does not extend to either end of the piece. An otherwise perfect tongue which is one-half short for 25% of length of piece is admissible; but the face must be free of checks or shake, and the wood must be live and sound.

No. 1 Grade

No. 1 and 13/16 inch and thicker, will admit of tight, sound knots and slight imperfections in dressing, but must lay without waste. Standard lengths in all widths in this grade shall be trimmed to 16 feet; the proportion of lengths to feet shall be what the stock will produce up to 30 per cent.

This grade is made for service rather than appearance. It admits of tight, sound knots; prominent discolorations ; numerous dark green or black spots or streaks; slight checks not exceeding 3 inches in length and running parallel with and well inside of the edges of the strip; dark spots or streaks with slight checks in center; small rough spots which cannot be wholly removed by the ordinary method of smoothing the floor when it is laid; slightly torn edges; short tongue if sufficient to hold properly in the floor; shallow or waney back if piece has sufficient bearings of full thickness to support it in floor; and slight variation in angle of end matching.

While these and similar features are admissible, sufficient attention is given to appearance to make this grade desirable and satisfactory for use in stores, schoolhouses, and similar places where a waxed or varnished floor is not required.

Factory Grade

Factory13/16inch and thicker, must be of such character as will lay and give a good serviceable floor, with some cutting. Standard' lengths in all widths in this grade shall be trimmed 1 to 16 feet; the proportion of lengths 1 to 3 1/2 feet shall be what the stock will produce up to 50 per cent.

This grade is suitable for factory, warehouse and kindred uses, and where a low-priced floor is wanted for wear, nothing better or cheaper can be obtained the Factory grade.

Special Grades

White Clearis special stock manufactured from white clear maple lumber from the outside of the log, wintersawed, and end-piled in sheds to prevent staining; is almost ivory white; and is the finest grade of Maple flooring it is possible to produce.

Red Clear Beech

and Red Clear Birchare manufactured from all-red face stock, especially selected for color, and are free from all defects. The color is a rich, warm tint peculiar to no other wood.

The standard sizes for maple, beech, and birch flooring are indicated in Table 14.

Table 14 Standard Sizes for Maple, Beech, and Birch Flooring The Association makes the following recommendation for the use of the different grades: Clear, or first quality, is suitable for apartment buildings, churches, clubs, dancing floors, gymnasiums, hospitals, hotels, office buildings, public buildings, residences, roller-skating rinks, schoolhouses, stores, and similar buildings.