Hardwood Floors
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| Solid hardwood floors have been used for centuries because of their natural beauty and durability. Unlike laminate flooring, hardwood can be refinished in order to bring back its natural warmth and luster. Wood flooring also increases in value and becomes more beautiful with time. In a national survey, 90 percent of real estate agents said that houses with wood flooring sell faster and for better resale value. Since wood is a natural resource, renewable and recyclable, many of yesteryear’s old wood ships, warehouses, barns, and other structures often find a second life in wood flooring. And leading allergists agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home. The state-of-the-art technology and almost limitless choices of today's stains, finishes, styles and designs make wood flooring one of the most practical, easy-care and versatile floor coverings today. Maintained properly, wood flooring should never have to be replaced. |
| One main appeal of hardwood is the variety of species available including Oak, Maple, Cherry, Hickory, Pecan, Pine, Beech, Birch, Walnut, and more. While laminate floors can mimic the looks of these woods, only hardwood has the natural warmth and feel of each in both finished and unfinished options. If you are considering purchasing a lasting floor that adds value to your home, hardwood flooring is the way to go. With its wide range of installation options, species, and styles to choose from, there is a hardwood floor that is right for you. |
| When regarding hardwood floors there are three types that we offer: Prefinished solid hardwood Prefinished solid hardwood flooring is factory sanded and finished flooring that only needs installation. It is so quick and easy to install, that you don't even have to leave your home during installation. There are so many different varieties of wood to choose from, your hard pressed not to find a color that mixes perfectly with your decor. (although this can also apply to engineered hardwood as well) Prefinished engineered hardwood This is the perfect floor covering for condominiums, basements, and commercial uses. The quality of an engineered wood floor can be determined by looking at four factors: the thickness of the wear layer, the number of plies that the plywood is made of, the surface cutting procedure used, and the precision of the cut. The wear layer should be at least 5/32" (4 mm) thick to offer the same re-sanding possibilities as solid wood. For greater stability, the plywood should be at least 5 ply. The wood should be dry sawn rather than rotary peeled or slice cut since only dry sawing produces a high quality, natural-looking hardwood strip. A tongue and groove that join perfectly on all four sides indicates high quality manufacturing. Unfinished hardwood flooring Unfinished hardwood floors require more work in the installation process than a prefinished floor because once the unfinished floor is installed, it still needs to be sanded down and then finished on-site. This hardwood allows the homeowner to create a beautiful, lasting, environmentally friendly hardwood floor with sentimental value that is invaluable. |
| Here are a couple of things to consider when purchasing a hardwood floor. It’s normal and even pleasant to see some healthy knots and mineral marks in the wood. These characteristics don’t affect the quality of the floor, and actually make it look more real. Your floor’s worst enemies are water, soap, and sand. Don’t use a wet mop or commercial soaps. All you need is a damp cloth, or use the care products recommended by the manufacturer, and vacuum regularly. Good planning will save you unpleasant and costly surprises. A knowledgeable, expert retailer will provide sound advice and successful results. Remember, you’ll probably purchase a hardwood floor only once in your life. |