The hardwood flooring is stylish and pleasing to the eye. This is easy to maintain and can last for even a lifetime. The hardwood floors are not only durable but also easy to keep clean. A simple dusting or sweeping done on a daily basis is sufficient. The hardwood floors look fabulous even after years of being set up and exude a warm and natural feel. The best part of the hardwoods used for flooring purpose is that they match well with homes of all styles and representative of all periods- old or modern. These also come in a great variety of woods, patterns, stains and finishes.

The hardwood flooring materials being hypo-allergenic are health friendly. Besides these being natural are environment friendly too. Usage of hardwood as flooring material increases the value of a home. Homes with hardwood flooring in living rooms, dens, hallways and stairs where hardwood suits best are deemed to be of great worth. The hardwood floors offer comfort that perhaps no other flooring can give and they offer good value for money. Though the initial investment in case of hardwood flooring may be higher in comparison to carpeting or vinyl it requires no replacement and has resale value. Thus the hardwood floors retain their value for long.



Types of Wood Floors: 1. Solid -
Solid constructed wood floor products ranging from 1/4" to 25/32" with some product of 1"

2. Engineered -
Wood Flooring products constructed in various layers, with grain alternating in opposite directions giving this product more stability for installation in areas solid wood floor products can not be installed. This product comes in various ply's ( layers), most being 3-5 ply

3. Acrylic Impregnated -
Wood Floor products that the wood grain has been injected with an acrylic material making it very hard and durable, making this a good choice for high traffic areas such as restaurants, malls, and other high traffic areas. With the various colors and patterns this also can be used for in home installation.

Styles of Wood Floors:
1.Strip -

Wood flooring with a lineal tongue and groove construction most often in 1.5" and 2.25", solid or engineered, unfinished or prefinished.

2. Plank -

Same as strip except for widths. Most start at 3" or 3.25" and go up in width in 1" increments. Some varieties reach 12-14" in solid or engineered, unfinished or prefinished

3. Parquet -

Pieces of wood floor construct into a pattern or design, most often geometric in nature.

There are four methods of installing hardwood floorin
1. Nail Down:

A solid choice. This method is typically used with the 3/4" solid products, however there are adapters available for thinner flooring sizes as well. 2" nailing cleats are used with a wood flooring nailer and mallet to attach the flooring to the subfloor. Please be aware that Solid Strip floors or Plank floors can only be installed on wooden subfloors on grade or above grade.

2. Staple Down:

The news here is pneumatic. With this method 1-1/2 to 2 inch staples are used versus nailing cleats to attach the wood flooring to the subfloor. A pneumatic gun is used to drive the staple into the wood flooring and subfloor. Not all wood flooring manufacturers recommend the same staple gun so. using professional installers will insure that the right staple gun and right size staples are utilized.

3. Glue Down:

Effective but sticky business. The recommended mastic or adhesive is spread on with the proper sized trowel to adhere the wood flooring to the subfloor. You should know that engineered wood floors and parquets can be glued down. Solid strip floors and plank floors can only be nailed or stapled. There are many types of adhesives on the market. Your installers will use the manufacturers recommended adhesive when installing your flooring. Not using the manufacturers recommended adhesive and trowel size could void any warranties you may have.

4. Floating:

Between and clean. With the floating installation method the floor is not mechanically fastened to any part of the subfloor. A thin pad is placed between the wood flooring and the subfloor. Then a recommended wood glue is applied in the tongue and groove of each plank to hold the planks together. The padding has its advantages: it protects against moisture, reduces noise transmission, is softer under foot, and provides for some additional "R" value. Some engineered floors and all Longstrip floors can be floated. This is a very fast, easy and clean method of installing your floor. We carry all brand names in wood: Anderson, BR111, caprice, Mohawk, Shaw, Johnsons, Swifftrain, Readers, Alamo, Nature Flooring, Bruce, Mannington, Scandian, Columbia Flooring, Earthwerks Kahrs and many more.