Q: I am about do up my 14*11 penthouse room, and I want a wooden floor. I am definitely not going for a laminate. Should I go for softwood or hardwood, and how should I lay it? Considering I am a musician, it would be nice if it helps in the acoustics of the room. [...]
Wood Grades and Species
Jan 232013
Q: We recently were in a home while house hunting that had very interesting “wood” floors and I am interested in finding out what they were. I want to have this installed in our new home. I am assuming that they were a manufactured product as they had a raised grain appearance. That really does [...]
What type of wood floor is it that has this wavy, raised texture sort of look?
June 4, 2012
Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
Q: I have read and been told sand on site maple is more unstable than oak. We are renovating our house which, will have spray foam insulation, and a new furnace with HRV unit. Should we be concerned we installing maple floors? Which is okay re: maple vs oak wood flooring? A: No, I wouldn’t [...]
Jul 212011
What is the name for hardwood flooring consisting of various widths and lengths?
Q: Have you seen white spots, gum deposits develop in Brazilian cherry and rosewood? What is behind the white spots? Is it a natural occurrence? A: It is a natural occurrence. Certain compounds in the wood can react with the solvents in our finishes and turn white. I have heard that it is hit and [...]
White spots/gum deposits develop in Brazilian cherry and rosewood?
May 26, 2011
Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
May 232011
Q: We are looking to install wood flooring over radiant heat. The term “R&Q flooring” has come up. What does this mean? Are we limited to engineered wood flooring? A: Rift and Quarter sawn is more of a vertical angle with the grain rather than plain or flat sawn and is more stable in side [...]
Q: Could you please settle a quandary. We have oak floors downstairs in our home. We would like to install hardwood flooring ourselves upstairs. The thing is that we would like to put in something more interesting than oak. Is it OK to install a different hardwood species upstairs? Does this lessen the homes value, [...]
Is it OK to install different hardwoods/species in different rooms/areas of house?
May 20, 2011
Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
Q: I have recently installed 672 square feet of pumpkin pine floors in our home and 1×12 white pine upstairs. The reason for this is I found the pumpkin to be somewhat harder than the white, thus a little better to stand up to foot traffic. My problem is I need to install stair treads [...]
Where does “pumpkin pine” come from and what other names do they call it?
May 18, 2011
Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
Q: I am wanting to purchase Wenge solid wood flooring. Can you confirm whether overtime the wood will become lighter or darker? I found the Black American Walnut I laid in my old house became very pale and light over a period of 3 years and I want to avoid this happening with the Wenge. [...]
Will Wenge solid wood flooring become lighter or darker over time?
May 18, 2011
Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
Oct 282010
We just had our oak hardwood floor refinished and are not happy with the finish. It looks like the polyurethane is uneven. You can especially notice it when squatting down and looking forward. Wherever the grain of the wood is showing it looks like there is a bit of a depression.
Aug 062009
Would you recommend against installing bamboo flooring in a vacation house that is closed for the winter and thus has no heat?
Jun 252008
We are refinishing our fir floors. We have used a dark stain called jacobean. The color looks great. Now we have put a satin polyurethane on, and it has appeared to make the tone more of a red color.
I am purchasing a home and don’t know which is the best, most durable wood to choose. I worry about wear and tear over the years. What is the best way to maintain wood floors before you have to change it, or not? I don’t love too much grain in the floor, that is why I prefer maple; but is Black Cherry, Maple or Walnut better? If I have to choose oak due to cost, should 3/4″ size or more be better? What about staining the oak? I was told that staining is not good. I thought that all wood had to be stained to achieve all the various colors that are available. What then is “natural hardwood” without staining, but in a darker color?
I prefer maple; but is Black Cherry, Maple or Walnut better? and more questions
November 7, 2007
Hardwood Durability, Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
My hardwood floor is constantly having to endure things being dropped on it, creating dents. Is there some sort of finish that better protects floors from damage?
Hickory has greater resistance to denting than red oak
April 22, 2007
Hardwood Durability, Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
Apr 222007
I am installing a new kitchen. I would like to use hardwood floors throughout the great room which includes the kitchen. I also live on the water with a lot of windows and skylights. What kind of wood do you recommend, keeping in mind the fade factor? I am looking at a Brazilian Teak or Brazilian Oak at the moment. Any thoughts?
Apr 112007
I’d like to put in White Oak throughout 3 bedrooms, a dining room, a hall and foyer. What would that cost, in Toronto? I want HARD wood that’s dog friendly. If something cheaper is actually better, that would be nice.
Mar 282007
I just bought unfinished Brazilian Walnut, 5″ wide. How much color variation should it have? Should there be greens and yellows and red, along with the browns? Is it customary to stain it darker if there are too many color variations?
Color variation in Brazilian Walnut
March 28, 2007
Equipment-Product Reviews, Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
What is the difference between folk grade and provincial grade?
What is the difference between folk grade and provincial grade?
March 14, 2007
Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
I want to put down hardwood floors in the living room and dining room, but we have a 100 lb. Golden Retriever. What type of wood flooring would be our best bet against scratches on the floor? He gets excited and prances around about 5 min. when someone comes over…
Large dogs and hardwood floors, best species and coatings
March 1, 2007
Protecting Wood Floors, Wood Grades and Species Comments Off
Feb 092007
I have bought a home with hardwoods in 90% of the home. I need to add hardwood flooring that matches as closely as possible in one room. However, I’m not sure if it’s red or white oak. With the stained floor, it’s hard for me to judge which wood is currently installed. Any suggestions?
