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Cherry Wood Flooring
Grade: Select and Better
Select and Better is the most prevalent premium grade of Cherry flooring.
Other Grades of Cherry Wood Flooring:
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Select and Better Cherry Flooring Dimension Specifications:
Standard pre-milled Select and Better American Cherry will have longer lengths in comparison to lower grades. Most flooring is in 7-foot bundles, or a custom-made long plank can be made. With a long plank, the lengths and widths are made specifically to each project’s specifications. The longest lengths can be from 10 to 14 feet, and the widths can vary from 2¼″ up to 12″. Moisture content is between 6% and 8% for quick acclimation. Select and Better Cherry is found unfinished or prefinished in ¾″ solid or engineered with a veneer top layer.
Flooring Availability:
Select and Better grade American Cherry 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 Cherry will have an even light reddish appearance. The long lengths produced make for fewer joints and a more desirable floor aesthetically. Cherry is extremely sensitive to sunlight and will darken considerably with an oil-based finish. A de-waxed shellac or lacquer should be first applied to protect the natural color of the wood. Also, water-based finishes can be applied to slow color change.
Flooring Durability and Stability:
Select and Better Cherry is moderately durable but resists denting and traffic wear much better than pine. Cherry is relatively stable in comparison to other species like Yellow Pine.
Workability of Select and Better American Cherry Flooring:
Although a hardwood, Select and Better Cherry 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. Cherry 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 tight grain. Professional sanding and finishing is recommended.
Principal Uses of Select and Better American Cherry Flooring:
Because of its price, Select and Better Cherry flooring is used in high-end residential applications for a dramatically elegant floor. It is also used for color-contrasting borders and medallions.
