Sport floors have become the “calling card” for many NBA, NCAA, high schools and even K-8 gyms.
With so much variation between the grades of the maple, graphics, tints, logos, stains and three-point shot areas – each sport floor has become a unique symbol of a team and the school. Floors are now almost as recognizable as the mascot or the logo on center court.
One of the most effective ways to achieve a unique sports floor look is to use maple grade variations. Using Third and Better or Third Grade maple will give a sports floor a warm hue, make a clean and effective border or provide a contrast. Remember, the grade of maple flooring products affects aesthetics, not performance. So if you are looking to stand out, specify MFMA Third and Better or Third grade maple.
THIRD AND BETTER & THIRD GRADE MAPLE SPORTS FLOORS
MFMA Northern Hard Maple
- Dense, strong, remarkably hard and durable
- Wide color possibilities and easily covered with attractive finishes
- Close-grained, hard-fibered, free from slivering and splintering, and polishes well under friction
- Naturally beautiful and suited for a variety of uses
- Resists point pressure without abrasion
The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) is the authoritative source of technical and general information about maple flooring and related sports flooring systems. 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.
Third and Better Grade
This grade of MFMA maple is comprised of a mixture of all grades of MFMA Northern Hard Maple flooring. A description of Third and Better Grade is a mixture of a minimum of 60% MFMA Second and Better Grade Northern Hard Maple and 40% MFMA Third Grade Northern Hard Maple. The grade contains all the visual characteristics of all three maple flooring grades, from clear First Grade boards to Third Grade boards with greater length variation, increased color variation, visible knots and pinholes. Third and Better Grade floor delivers the same use and service as First and Second and Better, but with a unique wide color variation providing a pleasing visual appearance.
The grade will not admit voids on edges or ends, or knot holes over 3/8” in diameter; partially unsound knots where the unsound portion is over 1” in diameter; or shakes, heart checks, badly split ends and imperfections in manufacturing which materially impair the serviceability of the flooring for the purpose intended.
Third Grade
This grade has the same structural integrity as First Grade and Second and Better Grade and exhibits more natural color variation than either grade. Third Grade maple flooring can exhibit an attractive reddish-brown hue, giving the floor a warm, earthy look. In this grade the boards show natural character, with darker and lighter boards, shorter board length, with an increase in visible knots and pinholes. Third Grade floors offer a warmer, softer visual aesthetic, and when used as a border can dramatically highlight a First Grade main playing court. This grade has all defects common to maple, but the wood must be firm and serviceable. It will not admit voids on edges or ends, or knot holes over 3/8” in diameter; partially unsound knots where the unsound portion is over 1” in diameter; or shakes, heart checks, badly split ends and imperfections in manufacturing which materially impair the serviceability of the flooring for the purpose intended.
Purpose
The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) provides this information, 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 this information as necessary. For additional information, visit maplefloor.org