Hardwood floors increase your home's value, are easy to care for while offering a practical, hypoallergenic and durable flooring solution.

What do I need to know before buying?

• Wood is a natural product so expect colour variations from board to board.
• Hardwood contains a cell structure so if enough pressure is applied, the cell wall will collapse and a dent will appear.
• Hardwood is not recommended for bathrooms because of moisture.
• Once you wax a floor, it should be maintained as a wax-finished floor. Wax may inhibit the adhesion of future application of top coating materials or make floor slippery.

Types of Hardwood Flooring

Solid Wood Floors

Solid Wood flooring comes in three basic types:

• Strip flooring accounts for the majority of installations. They are installed by nailing them to the sub-floor.
• Plank flooring boards are at least 3 inches wide. They may be screwed to the sub-floor as well as nailed. Screw holes can be covered with wooden plugs.
• Parquet flooring comes in standard patterns of 6" x 6" blocks.

A solid hardwood floor can be installed on a concrete slab as long as the floor is on or above ground level. It can also can be sanded and refinished over several generations of use.

Engineered Wood

Engineered wood is made of several layers of different woods or different grades of the same 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.

How do I decide on colour and style?

• One of the most popular attributes of hardwood flooring is its natural colouration.
• Oak is the most popular species for flooring due to its durability, graining and natural characteristics. Maple is also a popular choice for hardwood flooring as it offers subtle grain characteristics for an elegant and sophisticated style.

If you need further help, visit one of our stores. Our salespeople can explain the relative merits of different hardwood flooring brands and help you choose the best one for your home.