The Basics

• All pre-finished hardwood comes ready for installation
  
• Creates a warm environment and usable throughout the house
  
• Easy to maintain
  
• Choices in edges – square, beveled or eased
  
  • Beveled edges act like gutters for your hardwood floor capturing dust and grit that can cause scratches. Beveled edges also make cleanup easier.
    

• Choices in species and color
  
  • Some common species are: red oak, white oak, maple, cherry, white ash, and hickory/pecan
    • Within each species there are selections of color finishes
      
      

  Red Oak	Cherry	Hickory/Pecan

• Choices in sizes – 2 ¼” strip, 3” or 5” planks.
• Choice of gloss level. Typically high gloss, medium gloss and a matte or satin finish
  
• Lower gloss levels are better suited for active rooms when saving the elegant look of the high gloss for a formal living room or dining room.
  
  • Matte or lower gloss floors help minimize the appearance of dirt and scratches but, the finish reflects less.
    
    

Hi-Gloss

Low-Gloss

Engineered vs. Solid Hardwood Engineered – the boards consist of 2 or more layers or “plies” that provide dimensional stability Solid – solid pieces that come in ¼”, ½” or ¾” in thickness The graining on the boards is determined by the way it has been cut There are two processes. “Sliced Cut” shows a more uniform and sometimes more linear graining pattern, whereas “Rotary Cut” displays a larger, and bolder graining pattern

• Room Size - Remember that lighter stains or natural finishes will make a smaller room appear larger, while darker stains will absorb the light and create a more intimate setting
  
  

  Lighter

  Darker

  
  

Finish Color Choose a finish color that either coordinates or contrasts with your cabinetry and furniture. Darker woods tend to be more formal while lighter natural colors are more casual

• Board Width – you can visually expand a room by selecting a narrow width board, while wider boards tend to work better in a larger room or area.
  
• Don’t be afraid to mix species of woods. Some of the best interiors today don’t match perfectly, but are rather a combination of products that compliment each other in interesting and unique combinations or arrangements
  
• Consider using different species or stains of hardwood floors throughout the house to give each room it’s own
  identity. Perhaps use a contrasting stain of hardwood as a perimeter border
  
• Run the hardwood floor on the diagonal to add interest to the floor
  
• Insert a hardwood medallion in a foyer or bathroom
  
• Create a pattern such as a chevron pattern
  
  
  

The Value of Upgrading

• Wider selection including more exotic species and harder woods
  
• Increases your resale value
  
• Greater design opportunities and layout options, such as placing the strips or planks on the diagonal or including borders/insets
  
• Increase in actual board thickness
  
• Extended warranty
  
  

What’s Hot

Rustic or historic looks in oak or hickory	The larger 5” plank size	Exotic species such as cherry, chestnut, and teak