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Walnut Wood Flooring
Grade: Select and Better
Select and Better Walnut flooring is also called Premium Grade.
Other Grades of Walnut Wood Flooring:
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Select and Better Walnut Flooring Dimension Specifications:
Standard pre-milled Select and Better American Black Walnut will have longer lengths in comparison to lower 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 wood is found unfinished or prefinished in ¾″ solid or engineered with a veneer top layer.
Flooring Availability:
Select and Better 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:
Select and Better grade American Walnut will have an even brown appearance. The longer lengths of the Premium grade make for fewer joints and a more desirable floor aesthetically. 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:
Select and Better 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 Select and Better Walnut Flooring:
Although a hardwood, Select and Better 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. The wood 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 Select and Better Walnut Flooring:
Because of its price, Select and Better Walnut flooring is used in high-end residential applications for a dramatically elegant floor. It is also used for color-contrasting borders and medallions.
