Hardwood Flooring 101

Before you consider your hardwood aesthetic and make stylistic decisions, there are a few things to keep in mind. 

• Engineered vs. Solid: Engineered hardwood flooring is constructed using multiple layers of wood, with each layer positioned in a different direction. Only the very top layer is solid wood, and even that is only a veneer. On the other hand, solid hardwood flooring is made from only one type of wood throughout the plank, and if well maintained, it can last for decades.
• Measuring Hardness: The Janka hardness test is the standard when it comes to determining the durability of hardwoods. It measures the amount of force necessary to embed a steel ball halfway into whatever wood is being tested, with higher numbers indicating harder woods. Red cedar is the softest at 350, while Ipe is the hardest at 3,510.
• Color Changes: All floors will be exposed to sunlight to some degree, which will inevitably change your floor’s tone over time. Some varieties will turn yellow, while others will become darker. The finish you choose can help protect your floors from this change, but be sure to ask an expert while shopping about what to expect from the different varieties of hardwood.

The 4 Most Popular Types of Hardwood Flooring

There is a wide variety of solid hardwood flooring options ranging in color, hardness, and look. Here is a quick breakdown of the most popular domestic options and how they can make your floor shine.

• Red Oak: One of the most affordable options available, red oak is also the most stain-resistant. Its natural color ranges from light, creamy reddish pinks to shades of brown with moderate to heavy graining. While not the hardest option available, red oak holds up to wear and tear quite well and is flexible enough to not split under pressure.
• White Oak: Much like its more colorful sister, white oak is abundant, medium-grained, and a reasonably priced option that holds up against stains. It is also a bit harder than red oak, with colors that range from golden brown to gray.
• Maple: First off, you should be aware that maple is available in both hard and soft varieties. It is delicately grained and has creamy-blonde tones that match well with Scandinavian or Mid-Century Modern interior designs.
• Hickory: Harder than oak varieties and maple, hickory is even more durable and resistant. It features a unique grain pattern marked by mineral streaks and knots that provide a more rustic look, with colors ranging from brown to red and tan. 

Maintenance and Avoiding Damage

Once your floor is installed, keeping up with it is key to extending its life and looking its best.

• When sweeping, use a soft-bristled broom and move with the grain.
• Be wary of vacuums with carpet beaters and brush rolls as these can damage the finish.
• Don’t let sticky debris stick around. Clean up spills with a clean, damp cloth as soon as you can and try to move with the grain.
• Never steam clean wood.
• Always refer to your floor’s warranty if you are unsure about certain cleaning products. 

If you still have questions or want to explore additional options before settling on the perfect floor for your home, the experts at All Flooring USA are here to help. They will answer all of your questions and help match you with the floor of your dreams.

When you are remodeling or constructing your new home or office, the most important decision you could make is to choose the right kind of hardwood floor. As there is a wide variety of hardwood floors available in the market, you want to choose the type which is appropriate according to your lifestyle

All Flooring USA, we partner with some of the best brands to bring you the products that are not only beautifully designed but made to withstand active lifestyles and busy households.

Construction

Hardwood floor is available in 2 styles of constructions i.e. Solid and Engineered.

Solid

Solid hardwood floor is constructed from the best wood to deliver a  durable and tough domestic floor. The thickness of the planks is normally ¾ inches. It contracts and expands with changes in humidity level, so it is an ideal choice for rooms with controlled humidity and temperature. Most of the time, it is installed above grade, or over approved wooden subfloors. US Floors‘ Natural Bamboo Expressions Corboo, Homerwood’s Weathered Oak-Solid collections, and Lauzon’s Ambiance Collection-Authentik showcase some of the best solid wood floors available in the market.

Engineered

Engineered is an ideal choice for customers who want more choices in colors and textures. It resists contraction and expansion from humidity changes. Available in various widths, colors and sizes, it can be installed on any level in the home. Browse through our Mohawk‘s Pastiche in Oak collection or Lauzon‘s Designer Collection- Line Art to get a feel of it.

Textures

Hardwood floor is available in a variety of textures and styles.

Smooth

Smooth texture results from a very delicate sanding which gives the wood a very silky look. Most of the products featured in the Hardwood flooring section are available in this texture.

Open Grain

 Open Grain hardwood planks have large pores that give the floor a coarser look. When the wood is sawn, the pours are split and give it a dramatic look. The hickory floor in Lauzon’s Emira series or Red Oak floors in Ambiance or Essentials collection features this texture.

Glossy

 Glossy hardwood flooring makes the wood grain patterns stand out and add elegance to your home. If you have small children or pets at home, choosing a glossy hardwood floor is not a very good choice as all the spots and stains on such a floor stand out.

Hand Scraped

 Hand-scraped texture is created either through automated machines or by hand. Using tools like metal gouges, chisels, and hand planes, the wooden floor is given a sophisticated texture. This type of texture is featured in some of the Homestead
series by Lauzon.

Wire Brushed

 This texture is created by rubbing the hardwood floor with steel bristles, opening the grain and removing the softwood at the top of the plank. To appreciate this unique texture, take a look at some of the floors from Urban Loft and Authentik Series by Lauzon.

Tips to Keep Your Hardwood Floor in a Great Shape

The following are some of the tips to take care of your hardwood floor.

Keep the dirt and Sand Out

Taking care of your hardwood floors starts outside the home. Place a doormat at the entrance so that the people can wipe off their feet before they enter their home. Similarly, placing a mat and a chair near the entrance door encourages people to sit down and remove their wet shoes before they enter the house.

Protect your Hardwood floor from Scratches

Put protective pads under your furniture so that if someone drags a chair or a table, it doesn’t scratch your floor. Another good idea is to properly clip the nails of your pets so that they don’t scratch the floor. Similarly, consider installing protective rugs or carpets in high-foot traffic areas so that your floor doesn’t get dented.

Cleaning

Sweep or dust vacuum to remove all the dirt and debris. If your wooden floor is urethane protected, you can occasionally do the damp mopping. Tough stains should be cleaned with a good wooden floor cleaner.

·Maintenance

Hot and humid and damp weather can damage your wooden floor. Ideally, the interior humidity level should be between 45 to 55%.

To keep your wooden floor in a good shape, consider using a dehumidifier and air conditioner. Open up the windows when it is nice and dry outside.

If a wooden floor is installed in your basement, switch on the fan to blow the moist air out.

Key Takeaway

Hardwood floors are a visually appealing and practical investment for your home or business. At All Flooring USA, we have the best warranties and finest products. With appropriate maintenance and care, you can keep your floor in good shape for a long period.

It’s easy to assume the red oak flooring is red and white oak flooring is white, (and for good reason). However, there is quite a difference between the two, more than having to do with color. Red oak does have a pinkish undertone. Often in the unfinished form, you’re able to clearly see the pink graining. Depending on which stain you choose, the red/pink tones will be less noticeable. Don’t forget that the darker you go, the more that red undertone will drown out. However, if you’re going to keep a natural finish, (meaning only polyurethane will be applied) the red will show through much more. White oak is darker; yes, it’s actually a bit darker than red oak. Who would’ve thought, right? White Oak often has a yellow and brown undertone.

The graining of each is very different as well. Usually, when a professional is trying to decipher whether a hardwood floor is red or white oak and it has been stained, they will look at the graining to decide.

Red Oak has a stronger grain pattern. Because of this, it is much more porous. The grains of red oak are more prominent than white oak. White oak has a smoother and cleaner look. The grains of white are finer and not as pronounced as red oak. Because of this, white oak is denser. On the Janka scale, red oak has a hardness of 1290 while white oak has a hardness of 1360. However, because red oak has a more pronounced grain pattern, it tends to hide scratches and dents better than white oak.

When installing brand new hardwood throughout the house, the option you choose really depends on aesthetics. But if you need to match hardwoods, that’s a whole other story and a bit more complicated.

White Oak Flooring
Unfinished White Oak Select Hardwood Flooring
Red Oak Flooring Natural

Finished Red Oak Flooring Natural
The flooring consumer’s NEXT big decision : Now that you’ve chosen the species of hardwood for your home, which grade will you chose, and does the grade effect the quality?

Didn’t know there were different grades? Don’t worry, that’s what this Blog’s for! I went straight to the source for this information… (The NWFA/NOFMA Grading Standards) That’s right, look no further… NOFMA has been around for over 100 years and here’s what they have to say about their standard grades:

Lets start from the top. “Clear”

“A mostly heartwood flooring product (heartwood is the dense inner part of a tree trunk, yielding the hardest timber) that allows all the natural heartwood color variations with minimal character marks and limited color variation. This combination features the infinitely variable grain patterns with the minimal distraction from character marks and color variation.”

What the “clear grade” means is that there is the least amount of variation among the planks, like color, graining, and the least amount of blemishes, marks or defects. This grade isn’t normally used for solid hardwood flooring, basically because it comes from a very small percentage from the tree and, in turn, isn’t very cost effective. You’ll find the clear grade more in manufactured hardwood products.

Ok, next we have “Select”

“The Select grade contains all the variations in coloration produced by the contrasting differences of heartwood and sapwood. Also included are minimal character marks, such as small knots, worm holes, and mineral streaks, as well as slightly open characters. The combination creates a floor where the light sapwood and dark heartwood are combined with small characters and other small color interruptions.”

Basically, what they’re trying to explain is that the “select grade” is your best choice if your looking for flooring that has consistent tones throughout the planks. This grade has the least amount of variation and the least amount of waste in each bundle. Being very “clean” in appearance with very few natural blemishes like knots, dark marks and wormholes. This is the grade that we recommend installing in all our customers’ homes.

Choosing between red oak and white is mostly aesthetic. If you know that you want a more uniform looking floor, then you should definitely choose the white oak. On the other hand, if you’re looking for those beautiful swirly patterns and a bit more wild grain lines, than your choice should be the red oak. Either way, we always recommend the select grade of both, to ensure the least amount of surprises. Look throughout the gallery to see even more examples of each species to further assist you in deciding what your beautiful new hardwood floor will look like.