Ultimate Hardwood Flooring Guide

THE
ULTIMATE HARDWOOD
FLOORING BUYING GUIDE
Just Around The Corner
Visit us at jatcwoodfloors.com
INTRODUCTION
In an age with so many products to choose from, deciding on your
beautiful new floor can be an exciting, but somewhat daunting task.
Hardwood flooring, a popular flooring choice that just roars
beauty and fashion, is an option that’ll add both charm and value to
your home. It’s a fashion trend that has been around for centuries,
and it continues to grow in popularity.
SO, YOU ASK, WHAT IS THE BEST HARDWOOD FLOOR?
There’s no easy answer, because what’s best for you might not be
desirable for your neighbor down the street. But with this useful and
easy-to-read guide, we’re going to give you the facts about hardwood
and help you decide on a floor that best fits your new home or home
renovation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The Species of Hardwood4-5
Strip vs. Wide Plank6-7
When to Use Solid or Engineered
8-10
Traditional Domestics vs. Imported Exotics
11-13
Buying Prefinished vs. Unfinished
14-16
Understanding Sheen Levels17-18
What to Look For in a Retailer or Installer
19-21
Key Takeaways22-25
THE SPECIES OF HARDWOOD
THE SPECIES OF HARDWOOD
Red oak is the most popular wood species in the United States,
capturing more sales than any other type of hardwood. This is largely
due to its more neutral color and grain style.
Meanwhile, species like maple, which is a lighter-colored species, and
walnut, a darker-colored species, are more desirable to those looking
for a less neutral look.
OTHER DOMESTIC WOOD SPECIES YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF INCLUDE:
Hickory
Birch
Beech
Ash
American cherry
Even more unique are exotic species, which include woods such as
Tigerwood, Acacia and Brazilian Cherry. Such species often show
vibrant colors with more sporadic, yet appealing, grain patterns.
Species like Tigerwood and Brazilian Pecan, for example, often
display night-and-day contrasts between color tones, from deepbrown to light-tan colors, all on the same board.
These options provide your home with an upscale, contemporary
feeling that contrasts the traditional presentation of domestic wood
flooring.
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
STRIP VS WIDE PLANK
STRIP VS WIDE PLANK
As you might already have known, strip hardwood comprises narrower
boards, while plank hardwood is manufactured into wider boards – in
some cases, much, much wider:
STRIP HARDWOOD typically has widths of 2-1/4” or
narrower, although some manufacturers offer a wider “strip”
option.
PLANK FLOORING hovers above the 4”-width threshold, with some manufacturers offering widths of up to 10” and 12”.
When it comes to the ever-evolving world of home décor, many
trends that are old often become new again. And the shift from strip
to wide plank flooring is a case in point.
Throughout the 19th century, hardwood boards tended to be wider
than most floors are today. And over the decades, narrower strips of
wood became a more popular flooring choice.
But in recent years, the strip vs. wide plank flooring evolution has
cycled again, as more and more consumers are reverting back to
19th-century style wide plank boards.
Wider planks help captivate the natural beauty of any species of
wood, presenting more character and offering alluring features not
always identifiable in strip hardwood flooring. The end result often
resembles a more rustic or country appearance.
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
WHEN TO USE SOLID OR ENGINEERED
WHEN TO USE SOLID OR ENGINEERED
When exploring your hardwood options, be sure to consider whether
solid or engineered wood planks would be a better fit for your home.
While both types of wood fall under the hardwood umbrella, they’re
much different in the way they’re manufactured.
Depending on the environment of the floor’s location in your home,
the choice between solid and engineered wood flooring can greatly
impact the integrity of the floor.
SOLID HARDWOOD ATTRIBUTES:
While 3/4” widths are standard, “thin profiles” such as 5/16” are available among some manufacturers.
Solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished many times over.
Solid planks expand and contract more with changes in a home’s relative humidity.
Unlike solid wood planks, engineered flooring is constructed with
anywhere from three to five layers of wood, each layer bundled in a
cross-grain pattern to prevent excessive expansion and contraction.
The top layer of engineered wood is the most desired, and its
thickness will determine if the wood can be refinished and, if so,
how many times.
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!
When deciding whether solid or engineered hardwood is right for you,
understanding the location at which the floor will be installed is
critical. For instance, if you live in St. Louis, MO, where there is a
rapid contrast between seasons, you may experience volatile weather
patterns -- from cold, snowy conditions to hot and humid
temperatures -- in only a matter of days.
ENGINEERED HARDWOOD ATTRIBUTES:
More resilient to moisture
Less vulnerable to shifts in humidity
Can be installed almost anywhere in the home
Preferred for areas under more volatile moisture conditions
Using solid 3/4” hardwood for below-grade installations can impose a
host of structural problems, as potential moisture issues will cause the
wood to expand and contract, resulting in gaps and cracks in the floor.
Meanwhile, the general composition of engineered hardwood
provides increased structural stability allowing it to be installed at
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any grade level, preferably when a moisture barrier is used.
The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
TRADITIONAL DOMESTICS VS. IMPORTED EXOTICS
TRADITIONAL DOMESTICS VS. IMPORTED EXOTICS
Exotic hardwood flooring has become a fashionable design trend
accelerating in popularity over the years, as species such as the
distinctively-striped Tigerwood and the warm and elegant
Brazilian Teak become modern alternatives to traditional North
American-based species.
Imported from countries such as Brazil, Africa and Australia, exotic
hardwood options offer a unique personality for your home – not to
mention they’re a great way to showcase your elegant home décor!
These sleek and vibrant woods even offer commercial appeal, as
Banana Republic stores across the country have been furnishing
Australian-native hardwoods for the past two decades.
DIFFERENTIATING FROM DOMESTIC SPECIES
There is a variety of types and sources of exotic hardwoods, as
different species originate from all over the world and from a growing
number of manufacturers.
SO WHAT SORT OF WOOD SPECIES
FALL UNDER THE EXOTIC HARDWOOD
CATEGORY?
WELL, TO NAME A FEW:
Amendoim
Brazilian Cherry
Tigerwood
Jatoba
Ipe
Santos Mahogany
Take note that the source of exotic
hardwoods can control price, quality
and availability.
Choosing a flooring option that is harvested and manufactured
outside of the United States can translate into a more costly
project, due to steeper transportation costs, added border duties
and less-consistent supply and demand patterns.
So keep in mind both your tastes and your budget when
considering domestic and exotic wood species.
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
PREFINISHED VS. UNFINISHED
PREFINISHED VS. UNFINISHED
One of the early decisions you’ll have when making your hardwood
flooring purchase is whether to install a prefinished or unfinished
product.
Prefinished wood floors come in hundreds of options with finishes
that are applied at the factory, under controlled environmental
conditions.
THIS CLOSELY-MONITORED PROCESS ENSURES THAT THE PRODUCT
IS PROPERLY DRIED AND CURED.
Key advantages of prefinished hardwood
are that cleanup is easier, the floor is
finished when the installation is finished and
you won’t have any stain or finish odors.
In comparison, manufacturers ship
unfinished wood flooring from the factory
in bare condition.
After installation, the installer must sand
the floor to get a nice smooth and level
surface across the entire plane of the new
wood — resulting in an uninterrupted floor.
The floor is now ready for the staining
and finishing process.
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
UNFINISHED HARDWOOD BENEFITS
Installer can easily add distinctive features like borders
and inlays.
Unfinished hardwoods offer more board widths.
Wider variety: Exotic wood species, reclaimed wood from old structures, etc.
Floors can be stained to match interior features, such as doors, trims and baseboards.
PREFINISHED HARDWOOD BENEFITS
No need to wait for the floor to dry and cure.
No worries about fumes or toxic odors.
Factory finish produces a harder more durable surface.
Warranted to last longer.
UNDERSTANDING SHEEN LEVELS
WHAT IS A GLOSS OR SHEEN LEVEL?
Gloss is an optical term that describes the ability of a surface to
reflect light. Simply put, the higher the gloss level, the more directly
it reflects light; the lower the gloss level, the more the surface
absorbs and diffuses light sources.
This scale is generally measured at a 60-degree angle, which is
equivalent to looking at the surface while standing up. The sheen
calculation is determined by the amount of reflection from the
hardwood finish. The four main sheen levels are:
MATTE (25-35 percent luster): This low luster finish delivers the most authentic representation of a wood floor, as it has a minimum sheen level.
SATIN (40-50 percent luster): Satin finishes provide easy
maintenance, as marks and scratches show up less, unlike high gloss finishes.
SEMI GLOSS (55-70 percent luster): These finishes will reflect more light than matte and satin finishes, and therefore will show more shine, but also accentuating imperfections and dust.
HIGH GLOSS (75+ percent luster): In addition to residential settings, maximum sheen finishes are common in many commercial settings, as they represent a fashionable gloss to the floor. High gloss finishes will
also highlight imperfections like dust buildup and foot prints.
What level of sheen you decide to go with is simply a matter of
aesthetic preference. Do you desire that shiny, high-luster
appearance or a more retro matte-style appearance?
Furthermore, are you looking for hardwood that requires less
maintenance, or do you have large pets that will scratch or mark up
your floor? If so, a lower level sheen would be the better choice.
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A RETAILER OR INSTALLER
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A RETAILER OR INSTALLER
These days, there are a number of places you can go to purchase
(and have installed) a new hardwood floor – everywhere from local
retailers and contractors to big-box stores like Lowes and Home
Depot.
SO LET’S BEGIN FIRST WITH THIS SIMPLE QUESTION:
Where will I find the best hardwood product and at the best price?
THE ANSWER: In terms of brands and pricing, you’ll often find
similarities between stores, depending on the type of hardwood
you’re looking for.
But with smaller retailers and installers, there’s often more versatility
in what can be offered, and at what price.
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
WHICH BRINGS US TO OUR NEXT QUESTION:
Where will I find the best knowledge, workmanship and customer
service?
The Answer: This, of course, will vary from store to store, or installer
to installer. But here are some general principles to keep in mind:
At local retailers, you’ll often receive more personalized service, whereas at
big-box stores it can sometimes even be difficult to find a salesperson.
Salespeople at big-box stores often work in multiple departments, and therefore do not have the flooring knowledge that a local specialist may have.
While big-box installers generally have quality workmanship, local contractors
are more apt to work with you on a personal level to ensure a seamless, high
quality renovation.
WHEN SEARCHING FOR AN INSTALLER, FIRST BE DILIGENT IN
YOUR RESEARCH AND ALSO ASK QUESTIONS LIKE:
Are you fully insured?
Do you offer a workmanship warranty?
Can you provide your three latest customer references?
How long will the installation take - from time of deposit?
How much will installation cost and what does it include?
Asking these simple questions from the beginning could save you a
lot of time, heartache and money. Purchasing a new hardwood floor
should be an exciting, stress-free experience.
In the end, all you should have to be concerned with is enjoying your
beautiful new home renovation!
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
KEY TAKEAWAYS
KEY TAKEAWAYS
We hope our Ultimate Hardwood Flooring Guide has helped you
learn everything there is to know to purchase your next hardwood
floor confidently.
While deciding on a new floor can be a trying, and sometimes
stressful task, it’s also an exciting one!
ABOVE ALL, REMEMBER THESE KEY TAKEAWAYS:
The number of hardwood options can be overwhelming, but
performing some initial research will keep you at ease when
shopping in-store.
The species of hardwood has a significant impact on color and grain style.
Understand the problems and benefits of wide-width planks.
If moisture may be a problem, consider engineered as an alternative.
If you’re looking for something more unconventional, consider one of the many exotic species.
When choosing your sheen level, keep in mind not only appearance but also your lifestyle and home environment.
And if you get a negative vibe or discussion from your shopping
experience, refer to your Ultimate Hardwood Flooring Guide by
Just Around the Corner to help make your decision easier.
It’ll keep your tastes and budget in mind when educating you on the
many aspects of hardwood.
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
ABOUT JUST AROUND THE CORNER
Just Around The Corner is a family
owned and operated St. Louis
business that was founded in 1989.
Our employees are thoroughly
trained in the art of floor installation
and refinishing.
Our average lead man has approximately seven years with our
company and a primary goal to satisfy our valued clients.
Initially, it was a one man-one van company. Since then, we’ve grown to
over 17 employees and 12 vans and trucks. We also have a retail store with
a beautiful showroom in St. Louis, MO.
Rich’s goal has never been to, excuse the pun, get rich. His primary
passions are family, his church, working with wood floors, serving others
and playing music.
Rich treats his employees like family. Because of his interest in each
and every one of us, we tend to be very satisfied, and we believe happy
employees are required if you want happy customers.
REQUEST A FREE
IN-HOME ESTIMATE
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The Ultimate Hardwood Buying Guide
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