When inspecting the quality of the timber floor inspection, bear in mind that timber is a natural product and there is variation in its appearance. Floors of the same timber species can differ markedly in their appearance depending on timber source, age of the tree, board width, the finish coating and the lighting in which the floor is viewed. Timber will shrink and swell in response to changes in atmospheric humidity. However, there is a general level of acceptance of the finished product with a high standard in the marketplace. We'll discuss the acceptable appearance in the next several posts.

What variations are tolerable?
• As mentioned above, there can be a wide variation in colour even when a single species is chosen. Also we need to recognise that coating a floor highlights colour differences and the extent of the change is not easy to discern prior to the coating.

• Typically there are three grades: select grade, standard grade and feature grade. There is a standard which defines the features, such as gum veins, permitted by each grade. However, the grading rules do not cover either colour or colour variation.

• Since the grading process is fast, graders assess the size and extent of a feature by quick visual assessment without relying on measurement. It may be possible that a limited number of boards that are outside grade limits. It is also possible that a limited number of boards of a different species may be present due to similarity in appearance.

• The sanding of a floor can also increase the size of some features or cause features to appear that were not present before sanding. It may be possible that some boards in a finished floor do not meet the grade specification.

What can we expect from the installer?
• The number of boards in a floor that has features that exceed grade limits (in terms of size and number) is less than 5% and the overall appearance of the floor is in line with the chosen grade.
• The floor is laid with a relatively even distribution of colour and feature.
• Board lengths will be relatively evenly distributed in the floor and that groups of short boards or board ends will not be frequently clustered together.