Before deciding to purchase Hardwood Flooring for your home, there are some important things to consider -

1 - Can I live with imperfections in my floor surface?

    Since Hardwood Flooring is a natural product, there are factors that can affect your choice. Various wood species have different variations in coloring, graining, knot appearance and other characteristics. Some woods, like oak, naturally have a heavy grain that will  be noticed, while Maple will have a softer, more subtle grain. Staining will greatly unify the look of the floor, but the grain will still be noticed. This graining is what you are looking for in a wood floor afterall. Again th grain will affect the overall look and feel of the room it is installed in.

     Because of wood grading, you can more carefully pick the look you desire. When manufacturers choose wood pieces with few or no knots and very few color variations for a warm uniform look, that is called Selected Grade. Then in the middle there are various grades with different amounts for color and grading and these are the middle grades. The flooring product with the most characteristics are often called "Rustic" or character grades.

     Although the clear grades tend to cost more, wood is wood. If you like the clear consistent look you will like the "Select" grade. Often clear grades are used in formal settings. If you like heavy grains, knots and lots of character, you will enjoy the "Rustic" grades. These are often used in less formal, relaxing settings.

2 - Do I need to worry about moisture in my home?

     Once again, Hardwood Flooring is a natural product. It is affected by the moisture level that is in the home. We do live on an island; We are more susceptible to high moisture content in the ground. Almost all Hardwood Flooring manufacturers require an above grade installation for solid Hardwood Flooring; Engineered Flooring can often times be installed below grade (check the manufacturers guidelines). During the winter months, the humidity level in the air tends to be lower, thereby causing the wood planks to contract/shrink. This is normal. During the summer months the humidity level tends to be higher, causing the wood planks to swell. Again this is normal. A properly installed Hardwood Floor will allow room for this expansion and contraction. One way to help combat this is to maintain a constant humidity level (by using a humidifier and/or dehumidifier) in the home.

3 - Will my floors look change over time?

     Yes it will. Long Island Paneling Ceilings and Floors only sells prefinished Hardwood Flooring. Over time, all Hardwood Flooring products will change based upon exposure to light. Depending upon the wood, your floor may darken or lighten over time. Wood grains may become more or less noticeable as time passes. This is unavoidable. How long this process takes will vary depending upon the factors in your home. It is possible that if you install Hardwood Flooring and arrange your furniture and do not move that furniture for several years that you will have noticeable areas of light and dark. Nothing can be done about this and it is perfectly normal. Hardwood Flooring is a living product and changes with time.

4 - Do I want a traditional look/feel or more modern & contemporary?

     This is a personal question. How do you want your home to look and feel. There is no right or wrong answer. However, some looks are timeless, some are more trendy.

5 - Am I worried about pets or furniture scratching the surface of my floor?

    While the finish surface of your Hardwood Floor is protected, it is a natural product. NO FLOOR IS SCRATCH PROOF. This means that with enough force, any floor can be scratched or gouged. It is recomended that all homeowners use felt pads under heavy furniture to prevent scratching when moving the furniture. It is also recomended to use walk off mats at the entrances of the home to help prevent dirt and sand being tracked into the home and causing scratching. Proper maintenance and protection can reduce the chances of your floor scratching, but can not completely remove the chances.

6 - Is my subfloor level? What preparation needs to be done in my home?

    Solid Hardwood Floors need to be installed on a level surface and nailed down. Therefore without major preparation they can not be installed over concrete. Some Engineered Wood Flooring can be installed "floating" allowing for more usability in certain homes.

Our expert sales team can give you more details about these or any questions you may have about Hardwood Flooring. Stop into any of our 6 Long Island locations to see what floor will be best suited for your home. We can also provide referrals to local installers who can answer questions about your home.

Long Island Paneling Ceilings and Floors does not perform installations. Upon request, we can provide you with the name and phone number of reputable, local, experienced installers. We recomend meeting several installers and checking references.