Grades & Properties of Wood Flooring —
Domestic Species
Quarter Sawn American Walnut Flooring
Quarter Sawn Walnut is also called Vertical Grain Walnut.
Quarter Sawn American Walnut Flooring Dimension Specifications:
Standard pre-milled 1-7′ lengths of Quarter Sawn Walnut are usually all that is available. Most flooring is in 7-foot bundles with widths from 2¼″ to 5″. A long plank is very difficult to find because Walnut trees do not grow large enough to make quartered long plank flooring. Moisture content is between 6% and 8% for quick acclimation. Quarter Sawn Walnut only found in unfinished solid but can be custom-prefinished in ¾″ solid or engineered with a veneer top layer.
Flooring Availability:
Quartered Walnut flooring is very rare. Custom orders usually demand 3-4 weeks for production, depending on lumber availability. Pre-milled standard 7-foot bundles are not a largely stocked item.
Finished Floor Appearance:
Quarter Sawn American Walnut will have a uniform brown appearance. The vertical grain produces a muted but striped appearance. Some of the boards can have a curly or wavy effect. Sapwood, knots, and surface defects are removed in this grade. Walnut is unique compared to other woods. With water or aluminum oxide finishes, it tends to lighten while most other woods darken. Oil-based finishes allow the Walnut to darken with sunlight and are recommended. 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:
Quarter Sawn Walnut is a considered a hardwood but is very soft in comparison to Red Oak. Walnut is relatively stable in comparison to other species like Yellow Pine.
Workability of Quarter Sawn Walnut Flooring:
Although a hardwood, Quartered 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. The vertical grain tends to produce a 3D effect that can be seen and felt after sanding, which can be confusing to amateurs. Professional sanding and finishing is recommended.
Principal Uses of Quarter Sawn Walnut Flooring:
With a much higher price than Premium Plain Sawn, Quartered Walnut is used exclusively in high-end residential applications for a dramatically elegant floor. It is also used for color-contrasting borders.
Learn more about these other Walnut wood flooring grades:
« About Walnut Wood Flooring
