Things to Consider when Selecting a Wood Floor and Finish
Room Size — For smaller rooms, a lighter color finish will make the room appear larger. For larger rooms, a rich, dark tone will absorb light and create a warmer, more intimate environment.
Existing Furniture and Cabinets — Be sure to select a finish that coordinates with your current furnishings or cabinets.
Light Sources — Different types of light sources change the appearance of a floor finish. If installing a pre-finished floor, be sure to view a sample in your home. If finishing the floors at home, test a few samples before deciding as the colors will vary from the stain company samples.
Design Elements — Wood floors can fit any style from traditional, country, to contemporary. Darker floors are more formal, while lighter floors are more casual. Wider boards work better in a larger room, while narrow boards can make a small room appear larger.
Plank Profile — A plank with a square edge provides a smooth look across the entire room while beveled edge floors can help delineate the detail in natural wood.
Accents and Patterns — Floors can be installed horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Borders in contrasting colors can be used to transition between rooms or to define a space. The possibilities are endless.
How long must I allow a floor finish to dry before we can walk on the floor?
The urethane finish we use is usually dry enough to walk on after 24 hours. If the weather has been rainy or extremely humid, you may want to allow an extra day of drying time. It is best to allow three days for the urethane coating to dry before you move furniture onto the floors. Allow a full two weeks before you place area carpets over the floor to allow the finish to completely cure.
What is the hardest and most durable species of wood for a hardwood floor?
Following are wood species in order from the hardest to the softest wood and their hardness rating, starting at 21 for the hardest down to 1 the softest.
Brazilian Cherry 21, Mesquite 20, Santos Mahogany 19,
Merbau 18, Jarrah 17, Purpleheart 16, Hickory/Pecan 15,
African Pecan 14, Wenge 13, Bamboo 12, Hard Maple 12,
Australian Cypress 11, White Oak 10, Ash 9, American Beach 8,
Red Oak (Northern) 7, Yellow Birch 6, Heart Pine 5,
Black Walnut 4, Teak 3, Black Cherry 2, Douglas Fir 1
The most common hardwood used is the red or white oak, which produces a long lasting floor.
Which installation method will be used to install my new wood floor?
The installation method depends on the type of floor you are installing as well as the location of the installation. We will provide you with a recommendation for the best installation method based on the type of flooring and the conditions of your home where the flooring will be installed.
Can we install hardwood flooring in the basement?
It is not a good idea to install a solid hardwood floor below grade because of moisture issues. However, it may be possible to install laminate flooring or engineered hardwood floors in the basement. We will evaluate the moisture conditions in your basement and make our recommendation for flooring type and installation method.
What is the best way to clean my floors?
The best way to keep your floor looking new is to sweep, dust mop and/or vacuum the floors regularly. Hardwood floors also clean easily with a Swiffer or similar type dry mop. Avoid excessive moisture. Use a slightly damp mop to clean only when necessary.
Can I use commercial cleaner?
Yes. However, for prefinished floors, always use manufacturer-recommended cleaners. For unfinished floors, finished at the job site, refer to the recommendation of the floor finish manufacturer. Do not use wax based cleaners. You can read more about caring for your hardwood floors on the "Hardwood Floor Care" page of this site.
Why is the floor under my rug is lighter than the rest of my floor?
It is normal for hardwood floors that are exposed to sunlight to darken over a period of time. To eliminate the obvious differences, it is best to rotate rugs and furniture so that the flooring gets an equal amount of sun exposure. Any differences in light exposure will eventually fade away.