Graf Custom Hardwood
Family-run hardwood mill in Portsmouth, OH — specialists in Rift & Quartered White Oak. Solid, Engineered GRAFCORE, Prefinished, Style, and Parquet collections sourced from within 400 miles of the mill.
The Graf Name
Portsmouth, OH — Quality That Endures
Graf Custom Hardwood is a family-run company located in Portsmouth, OH in the foothills of Appalachia — with decades of knowledge and experience in the hardwood industry. That knowledge grows with every generation, guaranteeing that the work done today is always the best they've ever done.
Quality isn't just a feature they try to build into their product. Quality is their legacy — and they work hard to continue that legacy every single day.
Graf specializes in flooring that uses a sawing pattern called Rift & Quartered. A Rift & Quartered plank is cut perpendicular to the growth rings, resulting in a tight, straight, vertical grain. Not only is it visually stunning — it is also the most dimensionally stable cut of lumber possible.
Being nestled in the foothills of Appalachia gives Graf a surplus of top-class White Oak, Red Oak, and Walnut. All four collections — Solid, Engineered, Prefinished, and Style — start with logs sourced from within 400 miles of the mill.
Why Graf Custom Hardwood
Passion, People, and Place
What makes Graf Custom Hardwood unique is the high level of craftsmanship that goes into every product — a level that can only be reached because of their passion, their people, and their place.
Rift & Quartered Specialists
Graf Custom Hardwood is one of the few mills in the country that specializes in Rift & Quartered sawing. The result: a tight, straight, vertical grain that is visually stunning and the most dimensionally stable cut of lumber possible.
Appalachian-Sourced Timber
Located in Portsmouth, OH in the foothills of Appalachia — a region with a natural surplus of top-class White Oak, Red Oak, and Walnut. Every log is sourced within 400 miles of the mill.
GRAFCORE Solid Wood Core
Graf's engineered line uses a solid wood core — not plywood — for superior dimensional stability. GRAFCORE engineered is compatible with radiant heat and below-grade installations where solid hardwood cannot go.
Long Lengths Available
Standard lengths of 1–8' (Solid) and 2–10' (Engineered), with specialty long lengths from 3–12'. Longer planks create a more luxurious, open appearance that elevates any space.
Family-Run, Decades of Craft
A family-run company in Portsmouth, OH with decades of knowledge in the hardwood industry. That knowledge grows with every generation — guaranteeing the work done today is always the best they've ever done.
NWFA Member
Graf Custom Hardwood is a member of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) — the industry's leading trade organization for quality, installation standards, and professional development.
Graf's Signature Specialty
Understanding Rift & Quartered
Most hardwood flooring is plain sawn — cut tangentially to the growth rings for maximum yield. Graf Custom Hardwood specializes in Rift & Quartered, a more labor-intensive cut that produces a dramatically different result: a tight, straight, vertical grain that is both more beautiful and more stable than plain sawn.
A Rift & Quartered plank expands evenly and vertically — not across its width — which increases structural integrity and lifespan. It's the preferred cut for high-end residential projects, commercial spaces, and any installation where long-term performance matters.
Rift & Quartered
Cut perpendicular to the growth rings. Results in a tight, straight, vertical grain — the most dimensionally stable cut possible. Expands evenly and vertically, increasing structural integrity and lifespan. Graf's signature specialty.
Rift
Cut at a 30–60° angle to the growth rings. Produces a straight, linear grain pattern with minimal ray fleck. More consistent appearance than plain sawn with better stability.
Quartered
Cut at 60–90° to the growth rings. Produces a straight grain with prominent medullary ray fleck — the distinctive "ribbon" or "flake" pattern unique to White Oak. Highly stable.
Plain Sawn
The most common cut — tangential to the growth rings. Produces a cathedral grain pattern. Wider planks and more character variation. Available in all Graf collections.
Collections
5 Collections, One Standard of Quality
From unfinished solid hardwood to factory-finished engineered planks and pattern floors — every Graf collection starts with the same Appalachian-sourced timber and the same commitment to craftsmanship.
Solid
Unfinished Solid Hardwood — Built to Last Generations
Solid hardwood milled from White Oak, Red Oak, and Walnut sourced within 400 miles of the Portsmouth, OH plant. Available in standard lengths of 1–8' with specialty long lengths up to 12'. Grades include Select & Better, Character, and 1 Common. Sawing patterns: Rift & Quartered, Rift, Quartered, and Plain Sawn.
Engineered GRAFCORE
Solid Core Engineered — Maximum Dimensional Stability
GRAFCORE is Graf's premium engineered line featuring a solid wood core — not plywood — for superior dimensional stability. Available in White Oak in Rift & Quartered, Rift, Quartered, and Plain Sawn patterns. Standard lengths 2–10' with long-length options. Ideal for radiant heat and below-grade installations.
Prefinished
15 Factory-Applied Colors — Ready to Install
Factory-finished engineered White Oak in 15 curated colors: Antique White, Arctic White, Cafe, Champagne, Charcoal, Chocolate, Cocoa Mint, Espresso, Genuine, Metal Grey, Mocha, Natural, Pure White, Raw, and Slate. UV oil and UV urethane finish options. Rift & Quartered and Plain Sawn patterns available.
Style
Herringbone & Chevron — Engineered for Pattern Floors
Engineered White Oak cut and finished specifically for herringbone and chevron pattern installations. The Style collection brings the timeless elegance of parquet-style pattern floors to modern interiors — with the dimensional stability of engineered construction to keep patterns tight and true over time.
Parquet
Custom Parquet — Artisan Pattern Floors
Graf's Parquet collection extends their pattern floor expertise into custom parquet configurations. Engineered White Oak in artisan arrangements for high-design residential and commercial projects. Contact Quality Hardwoods of Michigan for availability and lead times.
Species
Appalachian-Sourced Hardwoods
All timber sourced within 400 miles of the Portsmouth, OH mill — from the forests of Appalachia.
White Oak
The flagship species. Available in all collections and all sawing patterns. Rift & Quartered White Oak is Graf's signature offering — tight, straight vertical grain with exceptional dimensional stability.
Red Oak
Available in Solid and select Engineered collections. Warm, open grain with a classic American hardwood character. Sourced from within 400 miles of the Portsmouth mill.
Walnut
Rich, dark chocolate tones with a fine, straight grain. Available in Solid and select collections. A premium species for high-design residential projects.
Prefinished Collection
15 Factory-Applied Colors
Graf's Prefinished collection offers 15 curated colors applied at the factory — from bright whites to deep espressos and cool greys. UV oil and UV urethane finish options. Available in Rift & Quartered and Plain Sawn White Oak.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy Graf Custom Hardwood flooring in Michigan?+
What Graf Custom Hardwood collections are available?+
Is Graf Custom Hardwood flooring a good choice for Michigan homes?+
Long Lengths — A Graf Specialty
Graf Custom Hardwood takes pride in their ability to offer longer lengths outside the industry standard. Standard lengths are 1–8' for Solid and 2–10' for Engineered. Common specialty lengths range from 3–12', 4–12', 5–12', and 6–12'. The luxurious appearance of a longer floor adds quality and beauty to a space. If you can envision it, Graf can provide it.
Ready to Explore Graf Custom Hardwood?
Visit our Rochester Hills showroom to see Graf Custom Hardwood samples in person — including Rift & Quartered White Oak, prefinished colors, and long-length options. Our team can help you find the right collection and specification for your project.
Also carried at Quality Hardwoods of Michigan: