Learn
about different species of wood and new technologies making hardwood
flooring perfect for any room in your home, including that unfinished
basement.
Use this
guide then visit us to consult with our experts first hand.
Increase
the Value and Beauty of Your Home with Hardwood
There's
nothing like a hardwood floor for natural beauty, warmth and ease of
cleaning. Its distinctive grains and swirling burnished figures add a
classic touch throughout your home. Hardwood's rich character never goes
out of style. Good looking, long lasting and a great investment in your
home's overall value, hardwood flooring is the perfect marriage of
practicality and elegance when it comes to home improvement.
Wood
flooring is available in several styles:
Strip
Flooring
The flooring
comes in strips with widths that range from 1 1/2" through 2
1/2" and thicknesses of 5/16" through 3/4". Strip
flooring creates a traditional look, and can produce an illusion that a
room is larger than it is.
Plank
Flooring
Plank
flooring also comes in strips, but they are wider, usually from 3"
through 7. Plank flooring can be used to create a more rustic or earthy
look as well as a historical appearance with antique applications.
Parquet
Flooring
Parquet
flooring is a series of wood pieces that create a geometric design.
Parquet offers a variety of design options. It can create an elegant
look for formal settings or a more contemporary spin for casual spaces.
Select
Hardwood for Any Room
New advances
in technology afford engineered hardwood floors the flexibility for
installation above, at, or even below grade. Several layers of
construction are bonded together to prevent bowing/shrinking in cool,
moisture prone areas.
All our
hardwood floor selections are clearly labeled for performance in a
variety of conditions and applications. Our Quick-Pick icons indicate
where they are best used - Below Level (below grade and at ground level,
grade) or Above Level. You'll also see icons indicating a style's
suitability for residential or commercial settings.
Visit us and use these icons to make your decision
easier.
Explore
a Wide Array of Looks with Hardwood
You'll
probably want to decide on the species of wood you prefer early on in
your home design process. Our Quick-Pick icons immediately identify the
species that interests you: beech, cherry, hickory, maple, oak, pecan,
walnut or exotic imports.
Visit us and
our flooring experts will assist you in associating style with the color
and species you want.
Understand
Product Variations
Many factors
determine how your floor will look. Consider how much natural variation
there is in the grain and coloring of a wood, a range that contributes
to wood's endless appeal. How shiny the wood appears varies according to
a gloss level rated as matte (low), satin (medium) or gloss (high). A
matte finish helps to maintain your floor’s appearance in high traffic
areas, while high gloss finishes will add elegance and grandeur to a
formal space.
Visit us and
use these icons to make your decision easier.
Choose
Your Ending
Even the
configuration of the strip's edge contributes to the look of the
installed hardwood floor. Many strips (or planks - the wider version)
offer you the choice of square edge (smooth and flat surface), micro
bevel (mild bevel that can be felt with the fingertips), or full bevel
(forming a strong groove to visually separate the strips and focus your
eye on grain line).
All these
elements make a difference in how your hardwood floor will look: our
Quick-Pick Icons identify those differences so you're sure to get the
look you want. Don't forget to check out Installation
to learn all about the little details that make a big difference when
transitioning from old floors to new.