Grades & Properties of Wood Flooring —
Domestic Species

Sycamore

Scientific Name:

Platanus occidentalis

Other Common Names and Related Species:

• American Plane
• Buttonball Tree
• Buttonwood
• Occidental Plane
• Planetree

Learn more about this hardwood flooring species »

Origin:

The United States and Canada.

Janka Hardness: 770

Sycamore is 43% softer than White Oak.

Grades of Sycamore Flooring Available:

Sycamore flooring is available in two grades: Quarter Sawn and Plain Sawn. Quarter Sawn Sycamore flooring is the most desired type of Sycamore. The figured appearance of the Quarter Sawn is very similar to that of Leopardwood but is a light tan color. Plain sawn Sycamore is a very bland and not highly desired, and so it is not included in this description.

Flooring is normally made from one grade lower of lumber. Thus, #1 Common lumber will make Select and Better flooring and so on. Lumber is graded worst side, while flooring is graded best side of the board. The lumber is defected to yield a higher grade of flooring, except when Clear grade flooring is made.

Quarter Sawn Sycamore flooring ranges from light tan to pink. The grain is three-dimensional in appearance. The Quartered is only offered in a Select and Better grade.

Plain sawn Sycamore flooring includes all the character found in the wood and is called a mill run. A mill run will contain large knots, light yellow sapwood, dark heartwood, and worm holes. Plain sawn Sycamore looks nothing like the Quarter Sawn and is not a common floor.

Quarter Sawn Sycamore Flooring Dimension Specifications:

Quarter Sawn Sycamore is only made to order in a long plank. 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 be from 2¼″ up to 6 or 7 inches. Moisture content is between 6% and 8% for quick acclimation. Quarter Sawn sycamore is only found unfinished. It can be prefinished in ¾″ solid or engineered with a veneer top layer by special request.

Flooring Availability:

Quarter Sawn Beech flooring is very rare. Few companies dry the lumber and fewer manufacture it into flooring. Custom orders usually demand 4-6 weeks for production, depending on lumber availability. Pre-milled standard 7-foot bundles are a stock item.

Finished Floor Appearance:

Quarter Sawn Sycamore flooring has an even light yellow and tan appearance. The flooring makes for a very desirable floor aesthetically. Sycamore is not sensitive to sunlight and will not darken considerably with an oil-based finish. Also, water-based finishes can be applied to slow any color change.

Flooring Durability and Stability:

Quarter Sawn Sycamore is moderately durable and resists denting and traffic wear. Sycamore is relatively stable in comparison to other species like Yellow Pine because it is quartered.

Workability of Quarter Sawn Sycamore Flooring:

Although a hardwood, Quarter Sawn Sycamore 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. Sycamore holds screws well, and it glues, stains, and polishes to a very attractive finish. It is relatively easy to sand with flooring equipment, but professional sanding and finishing is recommended. Sycamore accepts stain quite well, which can alter the appearance of the floor drastically if desired.

Principal Uses of Quarter Sawn Sycamore Flooring:

Because of its price, Quartered Sycamore flooring is used in high-end residential applications for a dramatically figured floor. It is also used for color-contrasting borders.