Basic Flooring Information:

Solid Hardwood Flooring

When we think of a solid wood floor we generally think of the standard strip oak wood floor that is 3/4" thick by 2 1/4" wide shown above, but solid wood floors are also available in various sizes from 3 to 6 or more inches wide (called plank floors). Custom Milled sizes less than 2-1/4 or wider than 6 inches wide are also available and are available in different thicknesses. The floorboards are generally in random lengths from 12" - 84", Custom Milled lengths can exceed 12' long. The most common wood species used for solid wood floors are red oak, white oak, and maple, although they are available in many other wood species.

All solid wood floors can react to the presence of moisture. In the dry winter heating months, moisture can leave the wood causing the floor to contract slightly in size, which can leave unsightly gaps between each board. In the summer months when the humidity is higher the wood will expand and the gaps will disappear. If there is too much moisture it may cause the wood planks to cup, or buckle. This is why it is important when installing a solid strip floor to leave the proper expansion area around the perimeter. It is also important to keep the relative humidity at between 40 - 55%. Doing this will help minimize any movement within the floor.

Solid wood floors are sensitive to moisture and it is not recommended to install these floors below ground level, or directly over a concrete slab. Solid wood floors are for nail/staple-down installations only. You can refinish, or recoat solid wood floors several times, which adds to their appeal and to their long life. There are solid floors that are well over 100 years old and are still in good condition.

Solid hardwood flooring is cut out from a solid piece of wood.

Q. What is the advantage of using a Solid wood floor over the other types such as an engineered floating or glue down floors?

A. 3/4 Solid wood flooring has a thick 5/16 top wear layer that can be sanded and refinished new again up to 7 times and can last well over 100 years. Solid hardwood flooring also adds structural strength to a floor system due to its 3/4 thickness and interlocking Tongue and Groove milling. If you have a wood subfloor you would most likely want to use a 3/4 solid wood floor.

Q. Does it matter what size width board or color to use? Is one width better than another?

A. No, it is a matter of taste. The big swing for the last 15 years has been to go with a wider 3-1/4 wide board instead of the standard 2-1/4 wide. The rule of thumb is that the narrower the board you use will give you a more formal look and feel to your home. The wider the board you use, say boards over 4 inches wide, the more Country look and feel your home will have.

If you are putting a new wood floor in either a kitchen or a new addition and have an older standard 2-1/4 wide strip flooring in adjoining or abutting room areas. One should use a 3-inch or wider board so there's a defining difference between the two. Trying to match the older floorings grade and color may be very difficult to do and it can come out looking mismatched.

Floor Color - is a personal choice that would have more to do with your personal tastes and décor. A natural light colored wood floor will go with any décor and will lighten up any room.

Q. Can I use a Solid wood floor in my basement?

A. Sorry, basements are known to have high relative humidity due to being under the ground, a Solid hardwood floor can absorb this excess moisture and expand causing the floorboards edges to cup or buckle. It is not recommended to use a 3/4 Solid wood floor in any damp areas or any areas where there is a higher relative humidity then 55%.

Q. Can I Glue down Solid wood floor over my concrete Slab?

A. No, 3/4 solid wood flooring can expand and contract more than an engineered wood floor. I would not suggest direct gluing down any 3/4-inch thick solid wood flooring to any surface, the adhesive might not allow the solid wood flooring to move or breath normally and can cause the floor to distort.

Q. OK then, where can I use 3/4 solid wood and what do I use to fasten it down?

A. You can 3/4 Solid wood flooring over any wood subfloor on or above grade. You can only fasten it down using either cleat nails or staples, to make the job easy both would require the use of a wood floor nailer (rental store) You can also install a wood floor over Vinyl as long as it is over a wood subfloor.

Q. Are all Manufactures brands of Hardwood Flooring the same?

A. No, like anything else you purchase there can be big differences in Quality some manufactures use a lower quality wood and produce very bad milling, their finish quality can also be poor. I suggest staying away from names you never heard of and use Brand Name hardwood flooring from manufacturers that have been around for a long time. They will be the one who will generally stand behind their flooring. They are the ones that will be around for the next 100 years and have a proven track record for quality.

Q. How much flooring do I need to order? Why do I have to add 5% to my square footage?

A. It's important to remember that all manufactures recommend adding 5% to your actual square feet this added 5% is recommended to cover boards that you may not want to use that may have gotten by the inspection process at the factory and for cutting waste. If you want to run the flooring at a 45-degree angle in the room then you would want to add approx 15% for a waste factor for the added cutting waste.

Q. What are the benefits of using Prefinished flooring rather than unfinished flooring?

A. Purchasing prefinished flooring Eliminates- the time consuming chore of the sanding and refinishing and gives you the added benefit of a perfect finish all done for you at the factory. Most of the brand name manufactures flooring we carry have quite a few stain colors to choose from and are coated with the durable 7- 10 coats of the " Aluminum-Oxide" finish, which is far more durable for wear than anything that can be purchased in a hardware store or home center. Using prefinished flooring allows you to move right back in as soon as a room is installed No waiting for the finish to dry!