Grading Rules
Assurance of Quality
Through its history, MFMA has attracted a membership of
firms who subscribe to the high standards of quality for
which the association stands. Each MFMA mill is subject to
regular, unannounced third-party inspections to assure strict
adherence to MFMA rules governing continuity of specie,
millage and grading of MFMA maple flooring. One of MFMA’s
functions is to assure end users that all finished product is
of the highest quality available. Further, MFMA provides Site
Inspection Services on MFMA floors to address installation
or post-installation issues to avoid serious difficulties. In
the unlikely event that an on-site inspection is required,
inspection and evaluation by highly qualified MFMA staff is
available. It is not available on floors that are not MFMA.
Some non-MFMA maple manufacturers claim their product
matches up to MFMA maple in appearance, but remember
that appearance is only skin deep — it’s what’s behind
the product that counts. Development and consistent
enforcement of strict manufacturing, grading, packaging,
shipping and installation standards are the keys to providing a
quality product. The MFMA Trademark is your assurance that
these standards have been met.
Moisture Control
We recommend maintenance of 6 percent to 9 percent
average moisture content following manufacture. Upon
receipt of shipment, proper moisture controls must be
exercised to maintain proper moisture content.
Maple Specs
MFMA-RL (Random Length)
Tongued and Grooved Flooring
Thicknesses |
| 1/2” | | 13 mm |
| 25/32” | | 20 mm |
| 33/32” | | 26 mm |
Face Widths |
| 1-1/2” | | 38 mm |
| 2-1/4” | | 57 mm |
| 2-1/2” | | 64 mm |
| 3-1/4” | | 83 mm |
MFMA-FJ (Finger-Jointed)
Tongued and Grooved Flooring
Thicknesses |
| 1/2” | | 13 mm |
| 25/32” | | 20 mm |
| 33/32” | | 26 mm |
Face Widths |
| 1-1/2” | | 38 mm |
| 2-1/4” | | 57 mm |
| 3-1/4” | | 83 mm |
Edge Grain
Edge-grain hardwood flooring is specially selected and
consists of pieces in which the annual rings range from 30
degrees horizontal to 90 degrees vertical.
Since hard maple is generally produced from lumber sawn
out of relatively small logs with varying knurls, resulting in
considerable variation in a single piece, flooring shall be
considered to be all edge-grain if 75 percent of each piece
falls within the above-mentioned range.
Kiln Drying
Flooring shall not be considered of specified grade unless the
lumber from which the MFMA flooring is manufactured has
been properly kiln-dried.
End Matching
All MFMA flooring shall be end-matched unless otherwise specified.
Bundled Strip Flooring
Bundled MFMA flooring is flooring bundled in average length
bundles. A bundle may include pieces from 6 inches under to
6 inches over the nominal length of the bundle. MFMA flooring
is bundled by grade in conformance with regular grade
requirements. No individual piece shorter than 9” is admitted.
Nested Strip Flooring
Nested MFMA flooring is flooring bundled continuously end
to end, typically in 7’ or 8’ bundles (6-1/2’ to 8-1/2’ actual
length). MFMA flooring is bundled by grade in conformance
with regular grade requirements. No individual piece shorter
than 9” is admitted.
MFMA Northern Hard Maple Flooring
MFMA Northern Hard Maple is a dense, strong, remarkably hard and supremely durable product.
MFMA Northern Hard Maple offers a wide range of uses and color possibilities. MFMA Northern
Hard Maple is close-grained, hard-fibered, free from slivering and splintering, and polishes well
under friction. MFMA Northern Hard Maple flooring has a natural beauty when given a transparent
finish and is suited for a variety of uses.
Hard maple has an unusual ability to resist pointed pressure without abrasion. It is easily covered
with attractive finishes.
About MFMA
The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) is the authoritative source of technical
and general information about maple flooring and related sports flooring systems. MFMA’s
membership consists of manufacturers, sport floor contractors, distributors and allied product
manufacturers who subscribe to established quality guidelines. Through cooperative member
programs, MFMA establishes product quality, performance and installation guidelines; educates
end users about safety, performance and maintenance issues; and promotes the use of maple
flooring products worldwide.
MFMA members consult with architects, contractors, school officials, and maintenance personnel
to answer questions about the specification, use and care of MFMA maple flooring. When you
need assistance or information, contact the MFMA Sport Floor Contractor Member nearest you, or
contact the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association headquarters office at the address listed on
the back of this booklet.
Purpose
The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) provides these Grading Rules, including
proposals on care, as a guide to specifiers, architects, end users, and other professionals. MFMA,
its members and employees do not warrant the information contained herein as proper under all
conditions. MFMA reserves the right to revise these Grading Rules as necessary.
Length Distribution by Grades
No individual piece shorter than 9” admitted. For a complete breakdown of length distribution by grades visit our web
site: (www.maplefloor.org).
Beech and Birch Flooring
These rules also apply to beech (Fagus grandifolia) and birch (Betula alleghaniensis) flooring.
More Information
Detailed Grading Specifications
Parquet Flooring
Printable Version
Rules Governing Reinspection
Even the most experienced inspectors will occasionally misgrade some pieces. Therefore:
Shipments shall be considered to be the grade invoiced if, upon inspection by an official inspector of the Maple
Flooring Manufacturers Association, 95 percent or more, in feet, is found to be of grade invoiced. Where the degrades
are in excess of 5 percent, in feet, of the shipment, the degrades in excess of the 5 percent shall be the property of the
manufacturer of the flooring.
The quality of the flooring in the condition in which it leaves the manufacturer is held to govern the grade,
as subsequent lack of care and improper treatment in laying, sanding, or finishing are not chargeable to the
manufacturer.
In the event that the amount below grade is found to be 5 percent or less, in feet, of the total amount of the item, the
cost of reinspection shall be borne by the complainant. If more than 5 percent in feet, the expense shall be borne by
the manufacturer of the flooring.
For dispute resolution contact MFMA. Specific “Guidelines for Reinspection” are available upon request. In any
dispute involving the grade of the flooring material where an MFMA reinspection is requested, the determination of
the MFMA inspector shall prevail.
Color in Grading
Changes in the color of lumber supplied to our mill manufacturing members is a result of supply and demand of raw
maple lumber. Because wood is a natural product, it is subject to color variations resulting from differing growing
conditions. The color of maple heartwood is brownish -- the sapwood is much lighter. Consistency of color cannot be
controlled in the manufacturing process, and color variation is not a grading defect.
Strips of maple are generally hand mixed on site to ensure a good color blending of maple flooring strips in order to avoid
groups of darker boards from being placed in the same area. However, some flooring strips do not show their true color
until after floor sealer has been applied. In other words, an installer may mix the floor to achieve the desired result, but it
is impossible to identify those maple flooring strips that will have a darker appearance once floor sealer is applied.
Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association
111 Deer Lake Road, Ste 100
Deerfield, IL 60015
(888) 480-9138
(847) 480-9138
FAX: (847)480-9282
mfma@maplefloor.org
www.maplefloor.org
Rev. March 2008
Copyright © 2000, 2007
Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association
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