Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - No 1 wood vs Select

Got my floor guy putting wood floors over a subfloor. He said he is using Select, but the wood is stamped No1. The wood looks real nice, but I want to make sure it is select. Also, I feel he is using too many small pieces (under 12") in a room 15 x 13. When I told him this he said he will use more larger pieces. The small ones were near the wall and by the entranceway. Let me know on the select. Thanks.

Wood is marked #1 - guess what you're paying for.... Had the same issue recently, ordered #1 and got #2.... (huge "2's" marked all over it).... but - what ya gonna do? You will find, in my experience, that once the floor is done - you won't notice any difference - ( my #2 mixed beautifully with my existing select grade) though that's small consolation for being "taken".... Ask the guy for proof of the grade in the form of his invoice from his wood supplier - and once you've got the name of the supplier - call them and confirm your suspicions.... As regards the smaller pieces - welcome to the present...... hardwood bundles are graded by quality as well as by length... he has no option other than to use the smaller pieces that come to him - it's just a question of where he places them. I, personally, just gave all the 12 - 15 inch pieces to my neighbor for firewood rather than use them on my floor - but that meant throwing away about 8% of my raw materials...... The days of 6 - 16ft lengths of solid oak are long gone - without special order and serious $$....

Actually, Select & Better refers to the grain variation. You should get more subtle variations in grain and color with greater uniformity in grain and color of boards.

The National Oak Flooring Association describes #1 Common as containing prominent color variation with natural character and knots not over 1/2", no large worm holes, or splits that extend the length of the board. Knot holes are filled. Minor milling imperfections are allowed. No extremely dark pieces are allowed.
#2/Utility Grade has lots of character and color variation.

Prime, of course, is expensive as indicated. If prefinished, do not use as firewood because of the chemicals.

Thanks for the info. He said the company he buys from gives small bundles and large ones and he doesn't have a choice. He used mostly large pieces when I asked him. He had to buy more. The wood looks beautiful and probably not "select" but just nice number 1. It doesn't have knots but they were probably just filled. Thanks.

If prefinished, do not use as firewood because of the chemicals.

If prefinished - you don't get to pick your grades......