Glossary
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PREFINISHED WOOD FLOORING
Aluminum oxide adds to the urethane finish a resistance to abrasion not found in on-site finished floors.
Solid flooring consists of wood cut directly from the tree.
Most solid woods are nailed down and need expansion space around any vertical object. Pieces shorter than 12' can be glued down. Thicknesses range from 5/16" to 3/4" in pre-finished wood flooring and greater thicknesses in unfinished wood flooring. Widths range from 3/4" to 12". Custom widths are available.
For a traditional or more familiar look choose domestic or for a wide range of natural colors (unstained) choose exotic.
Engineered wood flooring is flooring comprised of multiple layers which may or may not be of the same species. Some engineered floors are considered stable (they will not expand and contract due to moisture changes) while others are subject to normal expansion and contraction.
Floating floors are easy to install for Do-it-Yourself installations and can be installed over any subfloor. They are most used over concrete slabs where nailing is not an option.
One strip floors create a wide plank look. Three strip floating floors create the traditional look of wood flooring.
These are products that have been grown and manufactured in North America. The variety of species available today is significantly greater than just a few years ago.
We continually strive to offer new and exciting products and are constantly searching for that unique product that can be found nowhere else.
Species available: Red Oak, American Cherry, Ash, Maple, Walnut, Southern Pine, Hickory, Birch, Beech and others
Exotic woods are imported from outside the continental United States. The variety and quality of exotic species has increased dramatically in the last few years.
Species available: There are numerous choices in exotics, some wood floors have more than one name, and this makes it confusing for even the professional who is specifying product. Some available are Brazilian Cherry, Mahogany, Bamboo, Cypress and others.
You can purchase any kind of wood flooring available without finish... red oak, white oak, maple, ash, birch, beech, Brazilian cherry, Santos-mahogany, wenge, etc., in many widths and lengths.
Feature strip (for custom borders) from 3/4" wide is available in many species.
RECLAIMED (Recycled) WOOD FLOORING
In today's environmentally sensitive world, many are looking for ways to save trees and forests, and are using recycled materials. There are offerings from torn down buildings, also known as reclaimed wood flooring, to wood flooring recovered from rivers and lakes. Typically these products cost a little more, but they take a little of the burden off of the forests. Much of the wood flooring sold today comes from forests that are maintained in a sustainable fashion. There are third party certification groups that help to ensure this process, but there are still issues that need to be overcome for it to be a 100% foolproof operation. Do your best to ask as many questions that you can to do your part.
Some species available in reclaimed wood flooring are Sothern Pine, Chestnut, Birch, Maple and Elm. In many cases they can be purchased in both pre-finished and unfinished wood flooring styles.