Why Hardwood Floors?

SAY "I DO" TO THE FLOOR OF YOUR DREAMS
Wood floors add natural beauty and timeless style to any decor. Whether your home is traditional or contemporary, brand new or centuries old, wood floors offer endless design possibilities and make it easy to fit your home's needs and personal style.

DURABILITY
Today’s wood floors are designed to withstand the traffic of busy families, including man’s best friend. Wood floors are extremely durable and can look beautiful for decades.

HEALTH BENEFITS
You probably think a lot about whether the food you eat is safe. But how safe is the flooring surface in your home? Wood floors improve indoor air quality, which makes them a healthy option for your little one’s first steps and beyond.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Wood floors are the most environmentally friendly flooring option available. Because wood floors can last for many generations, they require fewer raw materials – and produce less landfill waste – than other flooring options.

ADDED VALUE
When the time comes to buy a bigger home, or to downsize, homes with wood floors sell faster and for more money than homes without them. When maintained properly, wood floors can last hundreds of years.

Hardness

Each species of hardwood has a different level of hardness. Some common domestic species like walnut, cherry, and birch are less hard in comparison to other common domestic species like maple, hickory, and oak.

The hardness of solid wood is measured according to a system called the Janka Scale. The Janka Scale gives a good indication of how well a wood species can be expected to withstand dents and dings. The scale is determined by the amount of pound-force required to push a .444-inch diameter steel ball halfway into the wood.

Ratings for both domestic and imported species are included in the scale; however, none of these values apply to engineered wood flooring. While Janka values give a general sense of how hard solid wood is, other factors also contribute to the durability of wood as well. This can include things like how the wood is cut and the finish that is applied to the wood.

Brands

We install and service mostly unfinished/site finished hardwood that is made to industry standards. We also offer some prefinished options that are made to these same standards.

Spacious room with wooden beams, stone walls, and hardwood floors. Large windows let in natural light, and a fireplace is visible at the back.

Newly installed wood flooring with visible electrical wires and plumbing pipes in a construction site.

Advanced Flooring

Spacious room with herringbone patterned hardwood floor, large arched windows, and exposed wooden beams.

Room with wooden herringbone floor, exposed beams, and large windows.

Large room with wooden floors, exposed brick walls, wood beams, large windows, and a fireplace.

Polished hardwood floor with natural grain patterns and a glossy finish

Ash

Cut logs of wood on grass beside a vehicle

Wooden floor with decorative inlay and oval rug, near a white door.

Ash Select

Hardwood flooring in a room with light and dark wood tones.

Kitchen with polished wooden floor and wooden cabinets

Beech

Polished hardwood floor with light reflections

Polished hardwood floor with sunlight reflections

Hardwood kitchen floor with light brown finish, white cabinets, and a dark countertop.

Kitchen with wooden cabinets, hardwood floor, black appliances, and a window with blinds.

Close-up of light brown wood grain texture with variations and knots.

Birch Yellow Common

Birch

Light wood texture with visible grain pattern

Birch Yellow Select

Hardwood flooring in a kitchen with wooden cabinets and a visible oven.

Close-up of light wooden floorboards with natural patterns and a knot.

Birch Red Common

Room with wooden flooring and white paneled walls

Room with polished hardwood flooring and glass doors leading to a garden.

Close-up of light wood grain flooring, showing natural patterns and textures.

Birch Red Select

Dark hardwood floor with a white column in a spacious room.

Brazilian Cherry

Wood-floored living room with a fireplace, built-in shelves, and a television.

Intricate wood floor design with a star pattern composed of chevron-shaped wooden panels in various shades of brown.

Hardwood floor with chairs and a kitchen island

Hardwood floor with a glossy finish next to a light-colored wall

Brazilian Walnut/Ipe

Multicolor hardwood floor planks in a room with wooden cabinets.

Polished hardwood floor in an empty room with sunlight.

Herringbone wood floor with a fringed floral rug partially covering it.

Cherry

Wooden staircase with railing and hardwood floor

Hardwood flooring with natural wood grain and color variations.

Cherry Common

Room with dark wood wainscoting and hardwood floor

Empty living room with hardwood floors, a large window, a fireplace with a wooden mantel, and a framed painting on the wall.

Close-up of a wooden floor with visible grain patterns and natural coloring.

Cherry Select

Hardwood floor with natural wood grain texture and a warm brown finish.

Cork

Shiny polished wooden floor with natural wood grain and reflections

Cumaru / Brazilian Chestnut

Kitchen with wood flooring, white cabinets, and a stainless steel refrigerator.

Living room with hardwood floor and fireplace

Wooden hallway with cabinets and furniture

Living room with a fireplace, hardwood floor, floor lamp, and floral arrangement.

Wooden flooring with visible knots and grain patterns

Cypress

Shiny wooden flooring with natural pine wood texture, partially visible log furniture.

Wooden plank flooring in a room with clothes on racks and shelves on the side.

Douglas Fir

Close-up of wooden planks with visible grain patterns and knots.

Natural wood flooring with varied grain patterns

Hardwood floor in a room with light wood tones

Room with light wood flooring and stone fireplace

Hickory

Modern stone fireplace with glass screen and wooden floor.

Interior of a room with hardwood flooring, a stone fireplace, and a stainless steel refrigerator.

Polished hardwood floor in a room with light-colored walls and baseboard.

Close-up of light wooden flooring with natural grain patterns and knots.

Hickory Common

Modern kitchen with light wood flooring, a center island with stools, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a vase with flowers on the counter.

Hardwood flooring with light and dark wood tones

Installation of light hardwood flooring in progress, with tools and materials such as an air hose, flooring nailer, and underlayment visible.

Smooth wooden floor with light and dark tones in an empty room with beige walls and white baseboards.

Hardwood floor in a kitchen or living area, with natural wood grain and a warm brown tone.

Light-colored hardwood floor with tools and green extension cords.

Wooden planks with various grain patterns and shades of brown and cream.

Hickory Select

Room with hardwood flooring, white cabinets, and stone fireplace

Living room with dark hardwood flooring, brick fireplace, and white built-in shelving units.

A modern living room with large windows, a beige sectional sofa, purple cushions, and a white shag rug. Two armchairs are next to a round coffee table, and there's a display cabinet with decorative items and framed photos.

Light maple wood texture with subtle grain patterns and natural coloration.

Maple 1st

Light oak hardwood flooring with natural grain patterns.

Empty living room with wooden floors and a stone fireplace

Stone fireplace with wood flooring in a living room.

Maple

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, a dark countertop island, dark hardwood floors, and stainless steel appliances.

Close-up of light wood grain texture with subtle variations and patterns.

Maple 2nd

Hardwood flooring with light and dark wooden planks next to white cabinetry.

Empty living room with dark hardwood floors, a staircase with white railing, a stone fireplace, and built-in white shelves.

Light wood flooring with a patterned area rug and wooden table leg.

Kitchen with wooden flooring, light-colored cabinets, and a central island with a dark countertop.

Close-up of natural wood grain texture with varying shades and patterns.

Maple 3rd

Natural wood flooring with a mix of light and dark grain patterns.

Dining room with a glass table and six upholstered chairs. The room features wooden flooring with dark square accents, a rug, a display cabinet, wall sconces, and large windows with shutters. A chandelier hangs above the table.

Close-up of light wood flooring with visible grain patterns.

Interior of a modern home with hardwood flooring, a potted plant, carpeted stairs, and wooden built-in shelves.

Close-up of a hardwood floor with visible grain and texture.

Close-up of light wood grain texture with natural patterns and lines.

Maple Caramel 1st

Close-up of light-colored wooden planks with natural grain patterns.

Maple Caramel 2nd

Stone fireplace with wooden flooring in a room

Wooden floor with a vent, surrounded by wood-paneled walls and a wooden door.

Pine

Wooden floor with a plug embedded in the planks

Wooden ceiling with natural finish and visible knots

Close-up of reclaimed wood flooring with visible grain patterns and variations.

Wood-paneled wall with multiple deer head mounts.

Wooden floor with a square trap door and metal latch

Fireplace with stone surround and wooden floor

Empty room with wooden walls and ceiling, recessed lighting, and two windows.

Wooden floor with natural grain and knots

Log cabin kitchen with pine cabinetry, black appliances, granite countertops, wooden floor, and checkered curtains.

Interior of a wooden room with steps and a platform

Wide plank hardwood flooring in a room with natural light from large windows.

Hardwood floor with decorative geometric border and an oval woven rug near gray double doors.

Purple Heart

Dark hardwood floor with a curved wooden partition in a room.

Empty room with dark wood flooring and white walls

Red Elm

Close-up of wooden floorboards with natural grain and knots

Elm 1st

Newly installed light hardwood floor with a wrapped stone fireplace in the background.

brown wooden floor in an empty room with light-colored walls and base molding

Split-level home interior with wooden staircase, railings, and living room area with cozy furnishings.

Kitchen with stainless steel appliances, including a refrigerator and oven, wooden cabinets, and hardwood flooring.

Close-up of light natural wood with visible grain and a knot.

Red Oak 1 Common

Red Oak 2 Common

Red Oak

Wooden flooring in a room with white doors

Modern kitchen with wood cabinets and island, white appliances, hardwood floors, and pendant lighting.

Hallway with light wooden flooring and a partially open door, leading to a room with a blue wall.

Close-up of light-colored wooden planks with visible wood grain and knots.

Light wood texture with visible grain patterns

Red Oak Select

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, granite island, stainless steel refrigerator, and wooden flooring.

Empty room under renovation with unfinished wooden flooring, white walls, and scattered construction materials.

Interior view showing transition between hardwood floor, carpet, and tile with a red accent wall and floor vent.

Close-up of light wooden planks with natural grain pattern.

Red Oak Rift Quartered 1 Common

Modern kitchen with granite countertops, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a center island on a wooden floor.

Empty room with wooden floor, white walls, and multiple narrow windows allowing natural light to enter.

Oak wood texture with natural grain and knots

Red Oak Rift Quartered 2 Common

Light wood flooring texture, showing vertical planks and natural grain patterns.

Red Oak Rift Quartered Select

Wooden floor with light and dark grain patterns

Spotted Gum

polished hardwood floor with a shiny surface

Interior of a flooring showroom with wood samples on display racks.

Modern living room with beige sofa, armchair, TV, and stone fireplace on hardwood floor.

Elegant interior hallway with dark hardwood floors, a decorative metal railing, and two plush red chairs with fringe at the base. A small dark wooden table and colorful framed artwork are in the background.

Walnut

Close-up of polished wooden flooring with a dark wood panel wall.

Close-up of dark wood grain texture with natural patterns.

Walnut Common

Wooden floor with a brown and white animal hide rug partially visible.

Close-up of walnut wood flooring with visible grain patterns and rich brown tones.

Walnut Select

Empty room with dark hardwood floors, a wall-mounted TV, a fireplace with a white mantle, and French doors.

Room with wooden floor and stone fireplace

Large room with light wood flooring, columns, a table, and a fireplace in the background.

Light oak wood texture with natural grain patterns

White Oak 1 Common

White Oak

Room with dark wood floors, white walls, decorative molding, columns, and stacked wooden planks.

Light wood flooring in a room with white walls and a staircase with a black railing.

Spacious high-ceiling living room with hardwood floors, chandeliers, fireplace, and large windows.

Dark wood cabinets and hardwood floor in a kitchen or bathroom.

Textured wooden surface with natural grain patterns and knots.

White Oak 2 Common

Wooden flooring with natural light oak finish, showing distinct grain patterns and textures.

White Oak Select

Empty living room with a fireplace, hardwood floor, and two windows

Elegant entryway with hardwood floor featuring a curved staircase, modern black balustrade, chandelier, and white paneled walls.

Modern living room with fireplace, hardwood floors, TV, and plants

Wooden texture with light and dark grain patterns, showing natural imperfections and small black spots.

White Oak Rift Quartered 1 Common

Kitchen featuring a polished hardwood floor and a kitchen island with a black countertop.

Interior of a modern home with a spiral staircase, chandelier, and light wood flooring.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, dark wood flooring, and a stainless steel gas stove with red knobs. Marble countertops and a center island are also visible.

Wooden floor with dining table and chairs

Close-up of light oak wood flooring with visible knots and grain patterns.

White Oak Rift Quartered 2 Common

Light wood texture with natural grain patterns and slight color variations.

White Oak Rift Quartered Select

Wooden floor vent cover on hardwood floor

Vents

Wooden floor with a rectangular floor vent

Wooden floor vent cover with vertical slats, surrounded by light-colored flooring and partially shaded by window blinds.

Wood floor and vent on a wall with wooden trim

Wooden American flag on a rustic wooden wall.

Wall Siding

Taxidermy bighorn sheep display with lamp and wooden panel wall.

Room with wooden walls decorated with mounted deer heads and antlers, containing a pool table and wooden chair.

Reclaimed wood wall paneling with varying shades of brown and gray planks.

How To Choose Wood Flooring: There are endless products available so please talk to a wood flooring professional to make a fully informed decision. Here are some starting points.

Dimensions & Manufacturing - The wood flooring industry is completely separate from the tile industry and also from the carpet industry (which includes carpet, vinyl, and laminate). The hardwood flooring of the past 100 years was produced in standard dimensions of 3/4" thick face with widths of 1 1/2", 2 1/4", 3" or 3 1/4", 4", and 5". Now you can get plank flooring that's even wider in one inch increments. These products have been around for decades and they will be for many more decades. This makes them a good choice for a long term product.

Where and how the wood flooring is made can greatly influence the quality of the product. There are so many variables that a supplier and installer must know to match the customer with the right product. The following factors affect the product: lumber grading that goes into making the flooring grades, kiln drying schedules, regional color differences, range of board lengths, average board lengths, milling tolerances, grading percentage that is allowable but out of specification, number of mineral streaks, number of knots, speed of milling and total production process, storage of lumber and milled flooring, and shipping environment. There is so much to know that it takes a lot of experience to consistently supply good products.

Location - The moisture fluctuation and the type of substrate/subfloor determine the type of flooring needed. Solid wood is the best value and the most widely used, but it reacts to moisture the most. Most people prefer solid products whenever possible, since they are more durable and longer lasting. If moisture is a concern or radiant heat or concrete substrates are involved, then engineered flooring or rift & quartersawn (R/Q) solid flooring must be used. Engineered wood is assembled from a thin layer of hardwood and a plywood backing for increased stability during moisture fluctuations. R/Q flooring has more vertical grain so the flooring boards only change width about half as much as standard, plainsawn boards. These are the wood flooring options, but many mention laminate flooring in the same catagory even though it is particle board with a picture laminated onto the top. So laminate is not wood flooring.

Hardwood floors can be prefinished or site-finished. Site-finished flooring is installed and then sanded and finished. With a full sanding after installation these floors are completely smooth once they're finished. Now days all prefinished flooring is milled with a bevel on the board edge so an installed floor has grooves between the boards. The prefinished products is UV cured so the finish is harder than site finished product. But usually prefinished surfaces are too hard to adhere new finish during a recoat. Also prefinished product is available only in certain woods, grades, and colors specific to that manufacturer.

With prefinished you get a more durable finish, a finish that likely cannot be recoated, a few less product options, bevels between the boards, and less overall installation time.

Unfinished hardwood that is site finished you can fully customize the product to fit you. You get unlimited species, grading, color, and sheen options, slightly less durable finish that's not UV cured, finish that can be recoated, smooth flooring with no bevels, and a day or two longer total time for the sanding and finishing process.

Hardness - This is an important consideration. The required hardness is determined by the traffic that the floor will see. Heavy daily use, children, and dogs require a wood that is at least as hard as red oak. Heavy traffic on a floor requires a harder wood such as Cumaru, Brazilian Cherry, Brazilian Walnut, Hickory, Maple, or Oak.

Grade & Color - The grade and color of the wood can give a contemporary, traditional, or rustic feel to the area. The color is determined by the species and the finish. This should compliment or blend with the surrounding woodwork, walls, and furniture. The layout, whether it is strip, plank, or parquet flooring, and the use of medallions and borders all affect the style and feel as well.

Summary - Solid, site finished flooring is the most popular for numerous reasons. It is recoatable. After 5 to 10 years the surface may become worn, and it only needs to be buffed and coated. It is customizable. It can be stained any color and finished in any sheen. It is easily cleaned, since it has a smooth surface. It is readily available. A wide range of woods have been available for decades and will continue to be. Medallions and borders are easily created. Solid wood also can be refinished numerous times.