We make our beech flooring in two grades: Natural and Heritage. Both are solid West Coast beech, tongue and groove, 19 mm thick and supplied uncoated. At 85 mm they are the same price. The difference is how much character you see in the boards.

Our beech is a combination of red and silver beech, two New Zealand beech species with a very similar look, in both grades. If you'd like a particular species, get in touch and we'll confirm what stock is available.

Natural grade

Illustration of Natural grade with a clear oil finish.

What it looks like: a cleaner, more even floor, with soft colour from board to board. It gives a calm look that suits most rooms.

What it can contain:

• Soft colour variation between boards
• Small, tight knots now and then

Natural comes in 85 mm. See Natural grade beech flooring, 85 x 19 mm.

Heritage grade

Illustration of Heritage grade with a clear oil finish.

What it looks like: more character and more variation between boards, so no two boards look the same. It has the warm, varied look many older native floors have.

What it can contain:

• Small pinholes, a natural feature of beech (see below)
• Pin streaks
• Darker brown markings
• More colour variation between boards

Heritage comes in 85 mm or a wider 105 mm board.

• Heritage grade beech flooring, 85 x 19 mm
• Heritage grade beech flooring, 105 x 19 mm

Are the pinholes a problem?

The pinholes are a natural feature of beech. They were made in the standing tree by a native beetle that needs wet, living wood, long before milling. Once the timber is kiln dried the holes are inert: nothing lives in them, and they can't spread to other timber in your home. Beech is also naturally resistant to common house borer (NZ Farm Forestry Association). The pinholes are cosmetic and don't change how the boards lay, sand, finish or wear.

The pinholes come as they are, part of the Heritage character. Your oil or coating seals them as it finishes the floor. If you'd prefer them filled, your installer can do it while sanding.

Natural and Heritage side by side

	Natural	Heritage
Look	Cleaner and even	More character and variation
Can contain	Soft colour variation, small tight knots	Pinholes, pin streaks, darker brown markings, colour variation
Widths	85 mm	85 mm or 105 mm
Species	Red and silver beech combined	Red and silver beech combined
Price incl GST	$139 per m²	85 mm: $139 per m². 105 mm: $159 per m².

The grade describes how the boards look. The 85 mm boards are the same price in either grade.

Our grade standard

We grade every board by eye. That means the line between Natural and Heritage is a judgement, not a machine setting, and no two floors are the same.

These lists are our grade standard. If boards arrive clearly outside them, tell us before laying and we'll replace them. Before cutting or laying, check the boards against your order, set aside any you're unsure about and send us photos.

The wider 105 mm board gives a broader look with fewer board joints across the room. Colour and markings vary from board to board.

What the boards look like as supplied

Uncoated beech tongue and groove boards, as supplied. Your installer lays them, then sands and coats the floor.

See both grades in your own light

The best way to choose is to hold the boards in your own room. We'll courier you a free sample pair, one Natural and one Heritage board, 85 mm wide, anywhere in New Zealand. We post it the next working day.

From $139 per m² incl GST. Get a free sample pair · Work out my order

More about our beech flooring

• Beech flooring: prices, stock and order request
• Red beech vs silver beech
• How much does tongue and groove flooring cost?
• Laying, finishing and caring for your beech floor
• Download the beech flooring data sheet (PDF)