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Choose The Best Wood For You

  • Hardwood Flooring

    • Made from a single, solid piece of wood
    • Increases resale value of your home
    • Can be sanded and refinished several times
    • Not recommended for areas where moisture is prevalent
    • Installation difficulty: high

  • Engineered Hardwood

    • Made from multiple layers of wood with a sturdy, stabilizing core
    • Structurally sound and less likely to expand, contract, or shift
    • Affordable alternative to solid hardwood
    • Can only be refinished once, if ever
    • Installation difficulty: medium

  • Unfinished Hardwood

    • Maintains the wood’s natural characteristics
    • Customizable with different stains and widths
    • Many styles and options available
    • Can be sanded and refinished several times
    • Installation difficulty: high

  • Bamboo Flooring

    • Unique, striated appearance
    • Extremely strong composition
    • Eco-friendly manufacturing
    • Not recommended for homes in extreme climates, or rooms where moisture is prevalent
    • Installation difficulty: medium

  • Waterproof Flooring

    • Waterproof flooring repels water
      and prevents moisture buildup, thereby reducing the risk of hazardous mold and
      mildew growth
    • Waterproof options are available in
      engineered flooring and vinyl
    • Commonly installed in kitchens,
      bedrooms, bathrooms, and the basement.
    • Installation difficulty: medium

FAQ's

What is solid wood flooring?

Solid wood flooring is made from continuous planks of wood, whereas engineered wood flooring is made with several plies of wood compressed together.

What is the difference between solid wood and laminate?

Solid wood flooring is made from one plank and is solid all the way through, with no engineering or gluing. Laminate flooring is a high-density base, with a photographic image of a wooden plank, finished with an acrylic lacquer.

Can I install a wood floor if I have pets?

Yes. Many homeowners with wood floors have pets, but hardwood floors are not built to withstand the wear and tear that pets can create. The pets claws can leave scratches, and the chemicals in urine can permanently discolor the floor. To remove the damage caused by pets, the floor must be sanded and refinished. That being said, laminate, engineered and bamboo floors are excellent alternatives for homes with pets.

Can I use throw rugs on my wood floor?

Yes. But before using any rug on the floor, be sure to check that the rug is “non-staining” so the colors will not bleed from the rug onto the floor. Check the backing to make sure it is not rough, as the rug could scratch the floor when it gets moved around. Lift the rug and clean the dirt, dust, and other debris from under it regularly. Periodically move the rug to help prevent shading of the wood underneath it.

What is engineered flooring?

Engineered flooring is made from plies of wood stacked in alternating patterns, finished with a hardwood veneer. These floors provide more flexibility than solid hardwood flooring, as they can be used in areas with higher moisture content due to a stronger dimensional stability that resists warping. The floors can only be finished one to two times, because of the reduced amount of solid wood on the plank.

What is a floating wood floor?

Planks are glued together and then attached to a plastic sheet or underlay, which is secured to the floor. This is only possible for certain kinds of wood flooring, and is ideal in situations where tearing the existing floor out or installing on the real subfloor is not practical.

Are wood floors difficult to maintain and clean?

No. With the urethane coating present on the floor, you have a durable, smooth finish on the wood. As long as you do not clean the wood floor with a damp mop, it is easy to clean. Water should not be used to clean a wood floor because it will seep into the wood and lead to warping.

Do solid wood floors increase the value of your home?

Solid wood floors are considered a high quality building material. They last a long time and are fully renewable without much effort. In addition to these benefits, they are aesthetically pleasing which increases desirability.

Which installation method is best?

The best installation method depends on the type of wood flooring, the installation location in the home, and the type of subfloor. Installation options include: nail down, glue down, and floating.

How can I stop my hardwood floor from gapping?

Gapping cannot be stopped entirely, as wood will swell and contract naturally with the change in humidity of the room. To combat the issue, use a humidifier during hotter months to keep the year round humidity relatively stable. Certain species of wood will expand and contract more than others. Using an engineered hardwood floor will reduce the appearance of gapping as these are more dimensionally stable than solid hardwoods.

Can wood be installed on stairs?

It is possible, but it can be slippery. We advise you consider your personal circumstances before making a decision. If there are children or pets in the home, it may not be the best choice.

What should I use under my furniture legs?

Several furniture stores carry felt pads designed for use under furniture legs to help prevent the furniture from scratching the floor. Some brands may stick to the bottom of the furniture, while other brands may require the pad be nailed into the furniture leg. Regardless, never hit the furniture pad directly with a hammer. Follow the directions that come with the pads you purchase for best results. To help prevent further scratching and damage to the floor surface, periodically check the pads to clean dirt, dust, and debris out from under them.

Testimonials

Which Floor is Best For Your Project?

Before installing a wood floor, it is important to know about the available types. Learning about the pros, cons, cost, and design options available for: laminate, solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and bamboo will help ensure the right floor is selected for the project.

Laminate

Laminate flooring is made by compressing layers of fiberboard together and placing a photographic image of wood grain, stone, or tile pattern over the fiberboard. After the image is added to the surface, a protective coating is added to help prevent damage and add a finish to the flooring.

Laminate is a cost effective option that will withstand a certain amount of wear. For an easy installation, opt for click-lock. The planks will snap together and can be laid over other flooring. It is ideal for living areas, and some brands may even construct it with a waterproof core, allowing it to be used in areas where water may be an issue. We suggest taking a close look at the guarantee before installing it in a bathroom.

Top quality laminate will not match the look and feel of real wood floors. The areas where the planks join will wear considerably over time, and when damage sets in, it is not an easy repair. Laminate is easily damaged by moisture, and when that damage sets in, it cannot be fixed. If the laminate is not laid correctly, it will not be appealing to potential renters or buyers.

Depending on the brand and style, laminate will range anywhere from $0.50 to $6 per sq ft. The laminate comes in a variety of styles to match any decor. High quality laminate may even feature images of knots and other characteristics of natural wood.

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood floor planks are made from a piece of wood and made to be anywhere from 18 to 20 mm thick. The boards are made with a tongue and groove to fit together for installation. Depending on the species of wood, certain floors will be harder than others. The harder the floor, the less susceptible it is to dings and scratches. The floor can be sanded and refinished several times to restore its beauty, with the total number of times being determined by the depth of the tongue from the top of the plank.

Solid hardwood is an excellent way to add visual appeal to a home or business. It will also potentially add value to a home or business in the event it gets put on the market later.

Solid hardwood will swell in moist conditions and contract as the area dries. The change of shape can alter the appearance of the floor and cause problems. Installation is a complex process, and for the best appearance must be done with great care. This is the most expensive option for those shopping for wood floors.

Prices will vary depending on the species of wood and the cost of the raw form.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood is made using three to four layers of wood glued together to produce a 14 mm thick plank. A real wood surface about 4 mm in thickness is applied to the top to allow it to be sanded and refinished a certain number of times to remove signs of damage, wear, and tear.

Engineered hardwood construction produces a more stable product. The greater stability means it is less prone to changes from temperature and humidity conditions in the room. This type of flooring is more attractive than a laminate floor, but it is also less expensive than solid hardwood floors.

Depending on the style and brand, engineered hardwood floors will range anywhere from $2 to $11 per square foot. Engineered hardwood floors come in a variety of styles to match any decor.

Bamboo

Bamboo floors come from bamboo grass stalks prominent in Asia. The floors are produced in China, and come in a variety of styles and finishes to suit various decor options. Since it is a tropical grass as opposed to wood for trees, it is naturally resistant to moisture. The flooring is produced by pressing fibers together under high pressure.

Not only is bamboo resistant to moisture, but it is environmentally friendly and an optimal choice for those who are looking to build “green.” The plant grows faster and does not take as long to re-grow than a typical hardwood tree, therefore not contributing to deforestation. Bamboo flooring is softer than traditional hardwoods, so it will not cause pain if it is stood on for long periods of time. The softness of the floor will also reduce noise.

The downfalls to bamboo are the cost and its brittle state. Despite the fact that it is a durable type of flooring, it is more susceptible to dings and scratches than other wood floors. Due to the cost of importing from China and the care which must be taken during installation, it is a much more expensive option than traditional hardwood.

The cost for bamboo floors ranges anywhere from $2 to $8 per square foot.

Knowing more about the characteristics of these types of wood floors will make the choice for any project a much easier one. Make sure to choose the best one for your own budget, location, and decor.