Education
What you need to know about hardwood floors

What type of floor do I want?

There are two types to choose from, solid and engineered. We do most installations with solid wood; however, we do offer a variety of engineered options. Each type is available in a variety of species, colors, and widths.

SOLID

Solid wood flooring is typically 3/4" thick, tong and grooved pieces of wood that are solid from top to bottom. Solid wood floors are used in most rooms of the house that are on or above grade. They can be sanded and refinished many times and can last a lifetime.

ENGINEERED

Engineered wood flooring is typically made up of three to five layers of wood veneer and varies in thickness. The grain of each layer is run perpendicular to each other providing stability. Engineered wood floors are used in most rooms in the hours on above, or below grade. They have limited refinishing ability.

What style do I want?

There are three styles to choose from: strip, plank and parquet. This decision is mainly based on your personal taste. You can choose one style or mix styles to create a more custom look.

STRIP

Strip flooring is typically made up of narrow boards ranging from 1.5" to 3" wide. This style is usually considered the standard. It can make a room appear larger and give a linear effect.

PLANK

Plank flooring is typically made up of wider boards ranging from 3" to 7" wide. This style can be used for a more casual, rustic look or an antique look. Keep in mind that the wider the plank the more likely gaps may appear in the winter.

PARQUET

Parquet flooring is generally made up of small pieces of wood put together to create a pattern. This style has unlimited possibilities and gets away from the linear look.

What species of wood do I want?

There are many species of wood used for flooring. With choices of domestic and exotic woods, the possibilities are endless. Keep in mind that different species have different properties and may react differently to moisture changes.

We have installed numerous species, including oak, rosewood, mesquite and maple.

What type of finish do I want? Pre-finished or sand and finish?

PRE-FINISHED

Pre-finished flooring is real wood flooring that has had the finish applied at the factory. The advantage of this flooring is that installation generates less dust and noise. You can also walk on the floor as soon as it is installed. Most pre-finished wood flooring has a micro bevel on the edges of the boards, giving each board an outlined look.

SAND AND FINISH

Sand and finish flooring is real wood flooring that is installed, then sanded and finished on site. With this option you have more flexibility in stain color and species choices. Also you have more flexibility in choice of sheen (gloss, semi-gloss, and satin) and type of finish (oil based, water based, and swedish finish). This type of floor can be re-done time and time again. For further information on the differences between the types of finishes, please ask your Ideal Hardwood representative.