Hardwood flooring Grades are regulated by two Associations in the United States. The first NOFMA, The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association, is one of the oldest and most respected Association regulating wood flooring. NOFMA regulates mills who are members of their organization through their grading specifications, off site and on site training, quarterly mill inspections, and technical support and literature for the manufacturers, distributors, installers and homeowners.

The MFMA, The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association regulates Hard Maple flooring with an emphasis on Sports Flooring Systems. The organization got it’s start in 1897. They publish Maple grade specifications, floor system specifications, sports floor finishes and maintenances guidelines and sports floor marking guides.

Mills that are not members of these organizations, can not be held to any grading rules. While most mills will call a defect free floor a Select grade, only a NOFMA mill can be held to NOFMA’s Select Grade Specifications. A Mill that is a member of NOFMA will always stamp the back of the boards with the NOFMA stamp. Mills that do not belong to NOFMA can basically grade their flooring as they see fit.

Another organization that does not grade, but has a lot to offer those in the flooring business is the NWFA, National Wood Flooring Association. They are a non-profit trade association representing all segments of the hardwood flooring industry, from manufacturers, to distributors, to retailers, to installers. They provide training and resources for wood flooring professionals to assure that you get high-quality flooring that will last a lifetime.