NOFMA recognizes 3/4", 25/32" and 33/32" as standard thicknesses for the manufacture of Hard Maple, Beech, and Birch flooring. NOFMA members may, at their option, produce either 25/32" or 3/4" thick Hard Maple, Beech, and Birch flooring.

FIRST GRADE
Shall have the face practically free of all defects, but the natural color of the wood shall not be considered a defect. The highest standard grade, combines appearance and durability. Will admit the following: variations in the natural color of the wood (with use of some finishes, slight shadows and color variation may appear); an occasional small, firm pin knot, not over 1/8" in diameter, provided it does not occur on edges or ends of strips; occasional dark green or black spots or streaks not over 1/4" wide and 3" long (or its equivalent) which may contain a tight check not over 1/2" long, provided it is boxed within the piece; bird's eyes and small burls; slightly torn grain; or similar defect which can be readily removed by the ordinary method of sanding the floor after it is laid; a slightly shallow place not over 12" long on underside of the flooring if it does not extend to either end of the piece. Pieces with 1/2 tongue for no more than 25% of the length are allowed. The wood must be sound and free of shake. Bark streaks shall not be permitted. Bundles shall be 1-1/4' and longer through 7' or 8' as the stock will produce. Not over 55% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4'; Not more than 25% of the total footage shall be in 2' bundles, and not more than 10% of the footage shall be in 1-1/4' bundles. Nested bundles (standard packaging): maximum average number of pieces under 1-1/4' shall be 8 pieces. Average length is 3'.

SECOND GRADE
A floor with varying wood characteristics and colors to include distinct color variations, numerous streaks, stained sapwood, sound knots, and checks. All defects must readily fill. Will admit the following: sound tight knots, provided they do not occur on edges or ends of strips; slight imperfections in machining; distinct color variations; sticker stain/shadow; numerous dark green or black spots or streaks, provided they do not occur in combination with predominantly dark heartwood; slight checks not exceeding 3" in length (may be slightly open) and running parallel with and well inside the edges and ends of the strips; dark spots or streaks with slight checks in center; small rough spots (torn - grain) which cannot be wholly removed by ordinary method of sanding the floor after it is laid; slightly torn edges; short tongue if sufficient to hold properly in the floor; shallow or waney back, if piece has sufficient bearing of full thickness to support it in the floor; small bark streaks where bark is as sound as surrounding wood; and slight variation in angle of end matching. The face shall be free of shake and wood must be sound. Bundles shall be 1-1/4' and longer through 7' or 8', as the stock will produce. Not over 60% of the total footage shall be in bundles under 4', not more than 27% of the total footage shall be in 2' bundles; and not more than 15% of the footage shall be in 1-1/4' bundles. Nested bundles (standard packaging): maximum average number of pieces under 1-1/4' shall be 12 pieces. Average length 2 3/4'.

THIRD GRADE
Must be of such character as will lay and give a good serviceable floor. The wood must be firm, serviceable and may contain all defects common to maple. Pieces with 1/4 full tongue admitted. Third grade will not admit- knot holes over 3/8" in diameter or unsound knots where the unsound portion is over 1" in diameter; voids on ends or edges; or shake, heart checks, badly split ends and imperfections in manufacture which would materially impair the serviceability of the floor.