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Walnut Wood Flooring
Grade: #1 Common
#1 Common Walnut flooring is also referred to as Natural Grade or Builder Grade.
Other Grades of Walnut Wood Flooring:
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#1 Common Walnut Flooring Dimension Specifications:
Standard pre-milled #1 Common American Walnut will have shorter lengths in comparison to higher grades. Most flooring is in 7-foot bundles, or a custom-made long plank can be ordered, where the lengths and widths are made specifically to each project’s specifications. The longest lengths can be from 10 to 12 feet, and the widths can be from 2¼″ up to 8″ or so. Moisture content is between 6% and 8% for quick acclimation. This grade of Walnut is found unfinished or prefinished in ¾″ solid or engineered with a veneer top layer.
Flooring Availability:
#1 Common grade Walnut flooring is readily available. Custom orders usually demand 2–3 weeks for production, depending on lumber availability. Pre-milled standard 7-foot bundles are a stock item.
Finished Floor Appearance:
#1 Common grade American Walnut will have a brown appearance. It will also have dime-sized knots and some white sapwood. The lengths will be somewhat shorter than the Premium grade. Walnut reacts unusually to sunlight with some water-based and aluminum oxide finishes (it tends to lighten, while most other woods darken). For that reason, oil-based finishes are recommended, in that they allow the Walnut to darken naturally with exposure to sunlight. A de-waxed shellac or lacquer can be first applied under the oil to protect the natural color of the wood.
Flooring Durability and Stability:
#1 Common Walnut is considered a hardwood but is very soft in comparison to Red Oak. This wood is relatively stable in comparison to other species like Yellow Pine.
Workability of #1 Common Walnut Flooring:
Although a hardwood, #1 Common Walnut flooring works with little difficulty with both hand and power tools. When installing the flooring, it is best to use a manual nailer, but staples and pneumatic nailers work well. Installation is quicker with higher-grade flooring because the lengths of the boards are typically longer. Walnut holds screws well, and it glues, stains, and polishes to a very attractive finish. It can be somewhat difficult to sand with flooring equipment because of its softness. Professional sanding and finishing is recommended.
Principal Uses of #1 Common Walnut Flooring:
With a much lower price than Premium, #1 Common Walnut flooring is used in medium- and high-end residential applications for a dramatically elegant floor. It is also used for color-contrasting borders.
