Solid wood

All solid wood flooring, regardless of width or length, that is one piece of wood from top to bottom is considered solid flooring. Solid wood floors can be installed on a concrete with sub floor as long as the floor is on or above ground level. Solid wood flooring expands and contracts with changes in your home’s relative humidity. All solid floors will react to the presence of moisture. In the winter heating months the lack of humidity can cause solid wood floors to contract, which leaves unsightly gaps between each plank. In the summer months when the humidity is higher the wood planks will expand and the gapping will disappear. If there is too much moisture present the wood planks may cup or buckle.

Engineered wood

Made of several layers of wood stacked and glued together under heat and pressure. Engineered wood flooring is less likely to be affected by changes in humidity and can be installed above, on, or below ground level. Choose from 2-1/4 inches to 6-1/4 inches widths and 5/16 inches to 9/16 inches thickness.

The manufacturing processes the cross-grain construction of the various layers. Layers are locked together to improve dimensional stability. . Engineered products come in 3, 5, 7 or more ply’s, the number of ply’s will vary from one manufacturer to another.

The planks are generally stapled-down, glued-down and some can be floated over different types of sub floors. The glue-down installation allows the planks to be used on concrete.

Hardwood flooring planks have either a beveled edge or a square edge. The depth of the beveled v-groove can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Eased edge has a very shallow v-groove, not as deep as the older, solid wood floors use to have.

Beveled edge: Beveled edge planks have a very distinctive, deep v-groove. They lend themselves more to an informal. The deep beveling helps hide sub floor irregularities that could result in variation in height between planks.	Eased Edge Planks: Each plank has a slight beveled edge, or shallow v-groove. Eased edge is also referred to micro-beveled.	Square Edge Planks: The edges of all planks meet squarely creating a smooth, uniform surface that blends the wood floor together from plank to plank. The overall look of this floor gives a more contemporary flair and formal feeling to the room.

Modern technology has developed wood flooring qualities and finishes that were never before available. Hardwood flooring is a beautiful and unique product of nature, which is characterized by distinctive on grain and color. These natural variations in color and grain are not flaws, but are part of the natural beauty and uniqueness of hard wood flooring.

Today's prefinished hardwood floors are more durable and much easier to maintain than ever before. Manufacturers of hardwood floors have greatly improved both their construction methods and floor finishes. As they see the demand for prefinished floors increase, they are constantly improving technology to satisfy customers. Keep in mind that no two floor boards will be identical. Variations in appearance are completely normal. As your floor ages, some color change can occur. This also is normal, but can be minimized by limiting exposure to direct sunlight, and periodically moving furniture and rugs. Cracks are normal as well, and will appear and disappear between floor boards during seasons of high and low humidity.

Generally, anything less than the width of a dime is considered normal, and will correct itself as seasons change. Flooring inspectors recommend inspecting the floor from a standing position in normal lighting to identify irregularities.

Don't Damp Mop: Water and hardwood floors don't mix! Use only the manufactures recommended cleaning products on your hardwood floor.


Vacuum Regularly: Small stones, mud and gritty dirt tracked in form outside can scratch the finish of your wood floor's finish. To help combat this use long bristle welcome mats placed at all outside entrances for people to wipe their feet on before entering onto the floors. Also, vacuum using a soft bristle bruch attachment.


Use the Proper Chair Glides: Narrow wheels, sharp wooden legs or metal furniture legs can scratch and dent hardwood floors. Any furniture that rest directly on top of a hardwood floor should use wide, non-staining rubber cups. Purchasing floor protectors is cheap insurance for protecting your hardwood floor investment.


Don't Use Oil Soaps: There are many over the counter oil-based soaps and wax based cleaning products that may damage or dull the finish of your wood floor. The best suggestion is to only use the manufacturers recommanded cleaning products on your hardwood flooring.


Wipe Spills Immediately: When accidents happen and some liquid gets spilled on your hardwood floor, you should use a slightly damp white cloth, or paper towel to immediately clean up and dry the effected area. For more difficult spots, follow the manufacturers recommended cleaning procedures.