We think there are plenty of reasons that quality hardwood flooring is the right choice for your home or business. Here are just a few:

• Hardwood floors cost less in the long run than other types of flooring.
• Hardwood floors are easy to maintain and can last a lifetime. They can be refinished and can be repaired if damaged.
• Hardwood floors add warmth, long-lasting beauty and elegance to your home or business.
• Hardwood floors trap fewer allergens, bacteria and dust mites than other types of flooring.
• You can choose from a wide range of hardwood flooring to match your décor and style.

Both solid hardwood and engineered hardwood floors offer advantages. Here are some of the characteristics of each.

Solid:

• Both unfinished and prefinished options are available
• Plank widths from 2 ¼ to 7 inches are available
• Standard thickness is ¾ inch
• Typically installed over a subfloor using nails
• Can be sanded and refinished multiple times
• Solid hardwoods will last for generations if well-maintained

Engineered:

• Uses a hardwood veneer on a softwood or plywood backing
• Both unfinished and prefinished options are available
• Plank widths from 2 ¼ to 8 or more inches are available
• Thicknesses from ⅜ to ¾ inches are available
• Can be installed over a subfloor and on a concrete slab
• Can only be sanded once or twice, depending upon the thickness of the hardwood veneer
• Well-maintained engineered hardwoods may last up to 30 years
• Experience less movement due to seasonal changes, moisture, and humidity in your home

You can choose to have your new hardwood floors finished on-site, or you can choose to install prefinished wood flooring. These options are available for both solid and engineered floors. Here are some of the characteristics of each.

Unfinished:

• Sanded and finished on-site using a dust-containment system
• Color/stain can be customized for your own unique look
• Both affordable oil-based and environmentally-friendly waterborne finishes are available in a range of sheens from extra matte to high gloss
• No bevels – each board has a square edge, with no rounded edges
• Offers the potential for no transitions with other flooring in your home

Prefinished:

• Sanded, stained, and finished by the manufacturer
• No option to customize color
• Typically has an aluminum oxide finish
• Installed with little mess
• Installation takes less time than unfinished flooring
• Likely to have bevels (rounded edges)
• Offers the potential for no transitions with other flooring in your home

Daily maintenance tips:

• Grit is your #1 enemy. Place mats at exterior doors.
• Dusting with a microfiber mop or cloth is your best daily defense against scratches and surface damage. Avoid lifting your mop or cloth off the floor – that way the dirt stays trapped on the pad.
• A broom can also be effective, but it only pushes the dirt around. Microfiber cloths are a better option since they use static electricity to trap dirt particles and other allergens.

Weekly maintenance can deal with areas that are harder to reach.

• Vacuum cleaners and wet mops can get dirt out of trouble areas like corners and the spaces between boards.
• If your vacuum cleaner has a beater bar, be careful that it doesn’t hit the bare floor. The wheels on a vacuum cleaner can also damage the floor, so vacuum with caution.
• When using a mop, remember that water and wood don’t mix. Avoid using excess liquid on your floor; lightly misting the floor with a quality hardwood cleaner will be enough to clean it.
  • • Pro Tip: Be sure to do small areas at a time.  If the cleaner dries before you mop it up, it will leave a haze on your floors.
    • Vinegar/water mixture: 1 cap full of household white vinegar to 1 gallon of water

Clean any spills with a damp rag. You can use a Bona cleaner for your specific floor type, or vinegar and water. Never use Murphy’s Oil, Pledge, Orange Glow, etc. Remember that a gentle touch is best when cleaning hardwoods.

And never wear stiletto heels on your hardwood floors!