We are in the process of getting rid of carpet and replacing with maple on our first floor. Our place came with some maple already in the kitchen area, guest bathroom and entryway, about 200sqft. This existing maple is second grade.

My DS is in love with first grade maple and wanted to install in new areas (about 800sqft). I am wondering if people ever lay these side by side, or would it look weird. We are refinishing the old wood. Should we demo the old maple instead?

1st grade will have less character.The overall appearance with the # 1 will probably look lighter than #2,as the #2 will have more of the darker boards.This would be the only issue.