(01) — Grade
Grade AB and Grade ABC describe how much natural character shows in European white oak. AB is the quiet field. ABC is the timber you can see.
(02) — Grade AB
Controlled grain, minimal knots, and a tighter colour. The floor sits behind the furniture, the art, and a dark stain.
(03) — Grade ABC
The same species, the same thickness, and the same finish, with tight knots and a shift in tone kept in the grade.
Wide planks show more of whichever grade you choose, on every board.
(04) — Specification
Write the species, the construction, the thickness, the grade letter, and the format. Do not write only “oak flooring.”
Toronto winters often sit near 20–30% RH indoors when the heat runs unmanaged. Summers can sit near 60–70% without dehumidification. The target once the home is lived in is 35–55%. The grade does not change that.
Should the floor disappear, or take part? Grade AB disappears. Grade ABC takes part.
A dark stain makes every knot louder. Natural and light stains are kinder to Grade ABC. Approve both on real boards before the batch is locked.
Herringbone and chevron are Grade AB. Straight plank is AB or ABC. Put the letter in the specification so it cannot be swapped later.
Using AB in one room and ABC in the next works only when the stain is coordinated and the change is intentional. A herringbone foyer in AB, then ABC straight plank beyond, is one way. Thickness stays 3/4 inch so the floors meet.
(05) — Start your project
What do you need?
Supply and install. Our oak, then our crew: measure, moisture, method, and a written 5-year workmanship warranty.
We reply within one business day. If the job includes install, the reply separates supply from the method and the subfloor. If you want samples, we send them on the real oak. If a site measure is needed, we book it from that reply.
If you chose a colour photo, email the file to tymur@floorstoronto.ca with your name so the match can start. The form stores the file name, not the picture.
Grade AB is European white oak with controlled grain, minimal knots, and tighter colour. It is the quieter field for condominiums, corridors, and dark stains.
Grade ABC is the same species, thickness, and finish, with tight knots and tonal variation kept in the grade. Straight plank carries it. Pattern floors stay Grade AB.
Neither is the only answer. AB reads quieter in a small suite. ABC adds warmth in a larger room. Both use the same engineered methods on concrete: glue-down, or floating over acoustic underlay when the building requires it.
Pattern formats are Grade AB. Straight plank is available in Grade AB and Grade ABC.
What can be refinished is the wear layer, not the grade letter. Both grades are a real oak surface with a UV-cured finish. Floors Toronto does not sand or refinish on site.
Yes, when you order. It is included on Grade AB and Grade ABC. It is not a separate visit before an order.
(07) — Next
The full set, from the decision to the install.
Species, thickness, and the finish on the boards we supply.
Included when you order, on Grade AB and Grade ABC.
Glue-down, floating, and nail-down, chosen from the subfloor.
Finished rooms, captioned by place and format.
Toronto — straight plank
Toronto — herringbone
Toronto — herringbone
Updated 23 October 2026