The state-of-the-art technology and almost limitless choices of today’s stains, finishes, styles and designs, make hardwood one of the most practical, easy-care and versatile floor coverings today.  Maintained properly, wood flooring should never have to be replaced.

What type of hardwood should I use?

Solid Hardwood – All wood flooring, regardless of width or length, that is one piece of wood from top to bottom is considered solid hardwood.  Solid hardwood gives you a great opportunity for customization.  You choice of species, stains, and finishes; all contribute to the personalization of a solid floor.  This is the choice in most areas of a home on the ground level or above.

Engineered Flooring – This hardwood product consists of layers of wood pressed together with the grains running in different directions.  It is available in 3 and 5 ply.  Engineered flooring is perfect for those areas of the house where solid woo flooring may not be suitable, such as basements, kitchens, and utility rooms.  Because the grains run in different directions, it is more dimensionally stable than solid wood.

Acrylic Impregnated Hardwood – Acrylic Impregnated floors is a process where acrylics are injected into the wood itself creating a super-hard, extremely durable floor.  This type of flooring is often used in commercial installations like shopping malls and restaurants, however, they are right at home in busy households as well.

What style should I use?

Wood floors come in a variety of styles to meet the demands of today’s busy lifestyles – factory finished, engineered, strip, plank, parquet, and acrylic impregnated. 

Choosing the style that is best for you is an important decision, and will be based on a variety of issues including your lifestyle, your decorating style, and the area in which you live.  Consider consulting with one of our wood-flooring specialists to weigh your advantages of each alternative.

Strip flooring – is linear flooring that is usually 1 ½”. 2 ¼” or 3 ¼” wide.  It creates a linear effect in a room often promoting the illusion of a larger space.

Plank flooring – is also linear, however, it is wider in width.  Common widths of plank flooring is 3”, 4”, 5”, or 6”.

Parquet flooring – is a series of wood flooring pieces that creates a geometric design.

Are there different grades of hardwood?

Clear – is free of defects, though it may have minor imperfections.

Select – is almost clear, but contains some natural characteristics such as knots and color variations.

Common – (No. 1 & No. 2) has more natural characteristics such as knots and color variations than either clear or select grades, and often is chosen because of these natural features and the character they bring to a room.  No. 1 common has a variegated appearance, light and dark colors, knots, flags, and wormholes.  No. 2 common is rustic in appearance and emphasizes all wood characteristics of the species.

First – first grade wood has the best appearance, natural color variations, and limited character marks.

Second – second grade is variegated in appearance with varying sound wood characteristics of species.

Third – third grade is rustic in appearances allowing all wood characteristics of the species. 

What are the different cuts of hardwood?

Plain sawn – is the most common cut.  The board contains more variation than the other two cuts because grain patterns resulting from the growth rings are more obvious.

Quarter sawn – produces less board feet per log than plain sawing and is therefore more expensive.  Quarter sawn wood twists and cups less and wears more evenly.

Rift sawn – is similar to quarter sawing, but the cut is made at a slightly different angle.

Are there any other species of wood besides oak?

Today’s wood floors come in more than 50 species, both domestic and exotic, spanding the spectrum of color options, hardness, and price ranges.  No matter what the look you want to achieve, there are a variety of species to meet your needs.