Why hardwood flooring?
Hardwood flooring has been used in homes for centuries, and it's as popular today as it ever was. Stylish and versatile, hardwood flooring is naturally beautiful. Each plank is unique, with individual grains and knots. Your flooring will be a work of art! And, with the proper care, the character and charm of hardwood will last for many decades.
Hardwood Refinishing
Whether you have had hardwood floors for a long time or just rediscovered them under old pieces of carpet it is important to consider refinishing them. Refinishing fixes problems such as dings, holes, dents and scrapes. The process is a great way to breathe new life and shine into your home. This refreshing of your hardwood floors adds value to your property.
Hardwood Grading
Hardwood Grading
You can sort hardwood species even further by measuring the wood’s natural hardness, referred to as the grading. There are two broad grading categories. Hardwoods, such as oak and maple, are better able to stand up to heavy traffic, are naturally darker, and are pricier up front. Softwoods, such as pine and spruce, are lighter, more affordable up front, and are more flexible. However, softwoods are also more susceptible to scratches and dings.
WOOD TYPES
Wood Types
At Boyle's Flooring, we offer many varieties of wood, each with unique characteristics. Common light wood species include maple, oak, bamboo, and pine while common dark wood species include cherry, walnut, mahogany, and hickory.
If you want hardwood grown in the US, opt for maple, oak, American cherry, American walnut, pine, and hickory. If you want something more exotic, you might consider mahogany, bamboo, Brazilian cherry, and Brazilian walnut.
Solid VS Engineered
Solid vs. engineered hardwood
Solid hardwood planks are manufactured from a single piece of wood. They are usually ¾-inch thick, which allows them to be refinished with ease.
Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, uses several pieces of wood that are layered in order to form a single plank. Typically, the plank will consist of a thin piece of solid hardwood on top of a thicker layer of plywood or a similar composite. Engineered wood can only be refinished a couple of times before it will need to be replaced.
Distressed style
What is distressed hardwood?
Certain manufacturing processes give hardwood the look of reclaimed wood, with a worn-in feel. This is distressed hardwood. It is very popular, but it is not always easy to obtain. Fortunately, modern manufacturing techniques have made this type of wood more affordable while allowing homeowners to choose the exact species and color they want.
Underlayment
Do you need underlayment?
Underlayment is laid down before your flooring is even installed. It evens out your subfloor, absorbs impact, reduces noise, insulates your flooring, and provides moisture resistance. It's not technically necessary, but it's incredibly beneficial. That's why we recommend it! It can play a critical role in the health and performance of your hardwood flooring.
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