Looking for a great deal on real hardwood flooring? If you shopped around before landing on reallycheapfloors.com, you're quick to notice that quality hardwood can stretch even the most generous home improvement budget. That's where we believe Mill Run hardwood flooring comes in. This is a unique, budget-friendly hardwood flooring grade option that shouldn’t be blindly passed over.
Brief Overview
- Mill Run is a mix of ALL Grades: You'll find a random mix of grades from a single production run. Most of the flooring produced is 1st Quality and the rest of it will contain Builder Grade with Cabin Grade planks all sorted together in the same boxes.
- The #1 Pro is Major Cost Savings: Because the manufacturer does not sort the grades, they can clear out hardwood lumber quickly. We pass those deep discounts directly to you, making real hardwood more affordable.
- The #1 Con is Inconsistency: The mix of flooring grades skews more towards 1st Quality but this is not a guarantee per box. One box might be mostly 1st Quality, while the next has more Cabin Grade. You must be prepared for this variation.
- It Is Sold "As-Is": This flooring product does not come with a manufacturer's warranty, make your order with this in mind.
- Buy 10% Extra: We strongly recommend purchasing at least 10% extra material to account for sorting, cutting, and discarding any pieces that don't fit your design vision.
What Is Mill Run?
Mill Run hardwood flooring, also called "Millrun" or "No. 1 Common," represents a different approach to how hardwood flooring reaches consumers. Expect to see most of this product to be 1st Quality. Flooring manufacturers are optimized to produce as much flooring hardwood of a 1st Quality grade they can (That's were all there profits come from). Cabin Grade and Builder Grade will be present as it comes directly from our manufacturers as usual. They will remove utility grade planks to keep the run clean. Many times this type of promotional wood floor is created to end the production run of a specific prefinished hardwood style to quickly make room for the next product.
This means each Mill Run lot includes a diverse mix of board qualities. You'll find a nice mix of mostly 1st Quality boards that would normally command much higher premium prices with Cabin and Builder grade boards that feature visual imperfections, natural characteristics, or shorter lengths that don't meet standard grading criteria. The result is an eclectic collection where you can add more character to a 1st Quality floor.
Mill Run flooring often originates from test lots for new product lines, overstock situations, or manufacturers looking to clear inventory quickly. Because these lots bypass the traditional quality control and sorting processes, they offer consumers access to to very high quality wood flooring at significantly reduced prices. Utility grade hardwood is removed from this grade.
Mill-Run Special: 3.25” Maple Natural Hardwood
Price: $2.19 / sq. ft.
Description: Get the timeless beauty and durability of solid Maple flooring at an unbeatable price. This lot features a unique blend of 1st Quality, Builder, and Cabin grade planks, creating a floor with authentic character you won't find anywhere else.
- Species: Maple
- Type: Engineered Hardwood
Why This Wood Grade Exists
The Mill Run concept serves several important purposes in the hardwood flooring industry, benefiting both manufacturers and liquidation focused companies like ReallyCheapFloors.com.
From a manufacturer's perspective, this product type allows them to reduce waste and speed up their hardwood floors invenotry dump by selling all boards produced during a manufacturing run. Rather than sorting boards into three different product lines, these pieces give a new life to a home's floor with a very rare wood combination. This approach also saves manufacturers considerable time and labor costs by eliminating the need for detailed grading and sorting processes.
The economic benefits extend to consumers as well. Since manufacturers can move inventory quickly without investing elaborate quality sorting processes they often sell these solid hardwood flooring lots at deep discounts. This creates a win-win scenario where manufacturers reduce waste and overhead costs, while budget-conscious homeowners gain access to real hardwood flooring at prices that might otherwise be prohibitive.
Millrun Special: 2.25” Hickory Saddle Hardwood
Price: $2.49 / sq. ft.
Description: Get the timeless beauty and durability of solid Hickory flooring at an unbeatable price. This lot features a unique blend of 1st Quality, Builder, and Cabin grade planks, creating a floor with authentic character you won't find anywhere else.
- Species: Hickory
- Type: Prefinished Solid Hardwood
Pros of Mill Run
Major Cost Savings The most compelling advantage of Mill Run flooring is the potential for significant cost savings. These lots typically sell at deep discounts compared to graded hardwood, sometimes offering savings of 30-50% or more. For homeowners working within tight budgets, this can make the difference between affording real hardwood versus settling for laminate or other alternatives.
Unique Aesthetic Appeal Mill Run's inherent variability creates unique visual character that many homeowners find appealing. Since no two lots are identical, you'll end up with flooring that's truly one-of-a-kind. The mix of grain patterns, natural imperfections, and color variations can create a rustic, authentic look that's difficult to replicate with carefully graded materials.
Access to Premium Materials Mill Run lots sometimes include boards from high-end wood species that would normally be expensive. You might discover premium hardwoods mixed into your lot, giving you access to materials that would typically exceed your budget if purchased through conventional channels.
Perfect for Specific Applications Mill Run excels in certain applications where uniformity isn't critical. DIY enthusiasts often appreciate the character and challenge of working with varied materials. It's particularly well-suited for basement renovations, rental properties, cabins, workshops, or any space where a rustic, authentic appearance is desired over pristine uniformity.
Cons of Mill Run
No Warranty Protection Perhaps the most significant drawback is the absence of manufacturer warranties. Mill Run flooring typically comes "as-is" due to the unpredictable quality mix. If you encounter defective boards or installation issues, you won't have the warranty protection that comes with graded flooring products.
Inconsistent Appearance The same variability that creates character can also create challenges. You may encounter significant color variations, prominent knots, wormholes, mineral streaks, or boards of varying lengths within the same lot. While some homeowners embrace these characteristics, others may find the inconsistency problematic for their design vision.
Limited and Unpredictable Supply Mill Run lots are finite by nature. Once a particular lot sells out, it's gone forever—there's no reordering identical material if you need more flooring later. This can create challenges for large projects or situations where you might need additional material for future repairs or expansions.
Additional Installation Considerations Working with Mill Run often requires extra effort during installation. You may need to spend time sorting through boards to achieve the best layout, and some pieces might require trimming or refinishing to address imperfections. This additional work should be factored into your project timeline and labor costs.
Who Should Consider Mill Run?
Mill Run flooring isn't suitable for everyone, but it can be ideal for specific situations and homeowner preferences.
Ideal Candidates Include: DIY enthusiasts who enjoy the challenge of working with varied materials and have the skills to sort and customize their flooring. Budget-focused homeowners who prioritize cost savings over perfect consistency and can appreciate the unique character that comes with Mill Run. Property owners working on rental units, cabins, workshops, or other informal spaces where a rustic, authentic appearance is actually desirable.
Mill Run May Not Be Right For: Perfectionists who require uniformity in appearance and consistency across their flooring installation. Large-scale projects that need reliable, consistent supply chains and the ability to reorder matching materials. Customers who prioritize warranty protection and want the security of manufacturer backing for their flooring investment.
Final Thoughts
Mill Run hardwood flooring offers exceptional value for consumers who understand exactly what they're purchasing. It's not a compromised product—rather, it's a different approach that prioritizes affordability and character over consistency and predictability.
The key to success with Mill Run lies in setting appropriate expectations. If you embrace the variability, appreciate the cost savings, and enjoy the unique aesthetic possibilities, Mill Run can provide tremendous value. However, if your project requires uniformity, warranty protection, or predictable supply, traditional graded flooring remains the better choice.
Before making your decision, consider visiting one of our locations and showrooms where you can see Mill Run samples firsthand. This will give you a realistic preview of the variability you can expect and help you determine whether this unconventional approach aligns with your vision for your space.
Remember, the right flooring choice depends entirely on your specific needs, budget, and aesthetic preferences. Mill Run represents just one option in the diverse world of hardwood flooring—but for the right customer and application, it can be an outstanding choice that delivers both value and character.
