Whitmore's Grades

Prime Grade
Selected for colour grain and texture, to be as even as possible with no Brown Oak, free of sapwood, surface checking and end splits. Some quarter sawn figured boards may be included. Occasional small sound knots may be included up to a maximum of 20mm diameter.

Character Grade
Selected to have a rich and variable colour, grain texture, including some Brown Oak. The stock features a range of pin knots, “cats paws”, small knot clusters and occasional larger knots which may be starred. Some quarter sawn figured boards may be included, and there may be some surface checking present. Limited sound sapwood allowed on the face, not exceeding 5% of the face area. Ends free of splits.

Rustic Grade
Similar to Character but allowing more and larger knots, including open, split and starred knots. Surface checking and some opening of the end grain may be present, as well as through splits. Very variable and wild colour, grain and texture variation. Sound sapwood up to 20% of face, unlimited on reverse, with occasional (dead) wormhole permitted.

See also: Grading to BS:5756 (1997) and Flooring Grading