How to Choose Your Hardwood Flooring

Choose the Look

In choosing the look of your floor, there are several factors to consider. The first choice involves deciding which color matches your style and decor. There are basically five color families (excluding specialty colors): natural, yellow, red, brown, and dark brown. There can also be various combinations within these five color ranges. Second, you need to determine the right style - whether traditional, exotic, contemporary, vintage, etc.Traditional colors tend to be natural or brown. Contemporary is usually yellow or dark brown. Exotic can be any color, but has more character and variance to the wood grain.

Choose the Construction

When determining the type of construction to choose, there are two facets to consider: the thickness of the wood plank and where the flooring will be installed. Solid hardwood flooring is 100% wood and is 3/4" thick, and can be installed on or above grade (the main level of the structure). A multi-layer engineered floor with a hardwood surface layer is 1/2" thick. Lastly, a floor made of a high-density fiberboard (HDF) core with a hardwood surface layer is 3/8" thick. Both multi-layer engineered and HDF floors can be installed below, on or above grade.

Choose the Connecting System

Solid hardwood is connected by a tongue and groove method and is nailed down to a plywood or wooden plank subfloor. HDF utilizes a click system which requires no installation tools and is preferred by do-it-yourself installers. HDF can also be glued down to a clean concrete substrate with the appropriate adhesive, for those who prefer not to have a floating floor system. Multi-ply engineered flooring may have a tongue and groove or click system and can be either nailed down to a wooden subfloor or glued down.

• 100% solid hardwood
• Multiple sandings and refinishings possible
• Available in 3 1/4", 3 1/2" and 5" widths
• Nail-down installation
• Secure tongue & groove connection

• Core composed of several layers of plywood (multi-ply) and a top wear layer of hardwood bonded together
• Adaptable to moisture and humidity
• Available in 3 1/2" and 5" widths
• Nail-down or glue-down installation

• Available in multi-ply or high-density fiberboard (HDF) core
• Adaptable to moisture and humidity
• Available in 3 1/2" and 5" widths
• Interlocking design with EZ wood-lock technology for secure fit
• Suitable for do-it-yourself installation
• Easy to remove and relocate
• Gluing and nailing down is optional