FAQ

When referring to engineered flooring (multi layered hardwood) the thicker the flooring usually means the more stable the product is. Also, thicker products have a much thicker wear layer on top (measured in mm). This will give you additional benefits such as being able to sand and refinish if needed as the floor ages.

There are different levels of moisture present in the home depending on the location. An easy rule of thumb is no solid material should be installed in a basement. No wood products go into full bathrooms (half baths with no shower are OK). Waterproof products can typically go into all areas of the home. No products should be installed outside (where there is no climate control) such as a covered patio unless they are specifically rated for that type of installation.

The most noticeable difference is the look. If the installation location is a large space such as a living room in an open floorplan home, then larger format flooring products will typically suit this space better. Also, with wider and longer products you usually get a higher specification of flooring, which will have thicker wear layers as an example or be thicker overall — see "Why does flooring thickness matter" for more details on this.

This statement mainly applies to higher quality products such as hardwood flooring with a 2mm face thickness or greater. This material is sandable and refinishable. With this capability comes several benefits. If your style or interior design needs change down the road, you can also change the color of the flooring to suit, without having to remove all the flooring and reinstall a new floor. This saves you significant cost compared to a full replacement. Also, as you live on your floor you may pick up some wear and tear over time from foot traffic and use. You can easily recoat the flooring and bring it back to the same look as the day you installed it. This is not the case with other flooring products such as carpet, tile, or linoleum, which once worn must be replaced. There are many stories with hardwood still going strong in houses that are over 100 years old.

Much like other investments in your home that carry a high rate of return when your house is resold, for example kitchen and bath remodels, hard surface flooring has been shown to be the preferred floor covering for home buyers. If your house is similar in style and size to another one in the neighborhood being sold, but yours has hard surface flooring, all things being equal the one with the better flooring products will sell faster and for a higher price.

Our hard surface products don't trap allergens, pet dander, and other dust on the surface or in fibers like carpet does. So when you sweep or vacuum your floor, you're getting all the allergens removed. This helps keep allergens out of your HVAC system and other areas of the home, which improves your indoor air quality.

A simple sweep or vacuum of the floor removes surface debris and dirt, then a terry cloth or microfiber mop with an approved cleaner gives it the final touch. Simple and easy.

Solid hardwood is one solid piece of wood all the way through, whereas multilayered/engineered wood is made up of cross-hatched layers. The engineered construction provides a much more stable flooring product that is usually flatter and less affected by climate changes than solid wood. Solid wood is thicker and can be sanded, which is one of its benefits — though it can only be sanded as far as the top of the tongue and groove. Some thicker engineered flooring options like 9/16" or 5/8" have thick top layers that can be sanded as well. We carry both, so you can make your preferred choice.

Species typically make a difference in two primary areas: the overall look of the floor and the overall hardness. Oak and Hickory are similar in hardness, though Hickory normally has more character and looks a bit more rustic than Oak. Birch is a cleaner-looking species that looks very similar to Maple, but is not as hard as Oak or Hickory.

Pro tip: Also consider your lifestyle — Oak and Hickory won't show light wear and tear as easily as the floor ages, while Maple or Birch will show imperfections more readily due to their more consistent graining.

This is our trademarked manufacturing technology that is amazingly realistic and is available on many of our waterproof rigid core items. These products are produced to look just like wood flooring, and our trademarked technology makes them virtually indistinguishable from real wood flooring.

We use a UV-cured hardwood flooring finish that contains aluminum oxide for durability, with several coats of protection applied before it's packaged in the box.

Color selection is your personal choice based on your design goals. In general, the lighter the color you select, the more natural character and graining you'll see in the floor, along with a bit more variation in color tone from board to board. Darker flooring will show less natural character and look more even and uniform in tone — but keep in mind darker floors will also show dust and dirt more quickly between cleanings.

We have two finishes in our waterproof flooring portfolio. The newest is our 3Diamond Infinite Clarity technology, rated for both commercial and residential use. The second is our vinyl finishes, available in three levels: 12mil, 20mil, and 30mil. The higher the mil rating, the thicker the coating and the more durable the floor. A 20mil floor is more than enough for the average household; 12mil is a good option on a tighter budget, while 30mil is the most durable choice next to 3Diamond Infinite Clarity.

Yes, a 6 mil poly underlayment is required under all waterproof flooring installations. Ideally this is laid down in sections with approximately 3–4 inch overlap and taped together using duct tape.