Hardwood Flooring in the Bay Area
Hardwood flooring adds a timeless, warm ambiance that will enhance the look and feel of your home. Available in a variety of colors and species, you will find hardwood flooring to match any style or lifestyle. Both durable and easy to clean, hardwood flooring will last for decades or even a lifetime with the proper care. Their warm, classic look is highly sought after, and they are a sound investment because they add value to your home. Hardwood can also be repaired or refinished, even after years of wear and tear. Opting for hardwood is also an eco-conscious choice, as wood, a renewable resource, aligns with sustainable practices, providing homeowners with an environmentally friendly flooring option.
Learn about hardwood basics, hardwood gallery, hardwood installation, hardwood questions, and hardwood care and maintenance.
Top hardwood products
About hardwood flooring
Renowned for its durability and timeless appeal, hardwood flooring is a popular and enduring choice for home flooring. Hardwood is a renewable resource, making it an environmentally conscious choice, especially when sourced responsibly. Modern hardwood flooring offers an extensive range of colors, grains, and species — including hickory, oak, maple, and more — catering to diverse preferences and budgets.
Before you buy, there are a few things to know about hardwood that will help you make more informed choices. When purchasing hardwood, you can buy factory-finished wood flooring or unfinished flooring. With factory-finished products, the manufacturer applies finish before the product is sold. Once the floor is in place, the unfinished flooring must be sanded and finished by your installer.
It is important to understand that different types of wood flooring are available. These types include solid wood flooring, engineered flooring, and longstrip flooring. Solid wood flooring consists of a solid piece of wood with tongue and groove sides. Engineered and long strip flooring are manufactured by stacking thin layers of wood to create one wood plank.
With each type of flooring, there are advantages and disadvantages. There are also implications for where flooring can be installed. We encourage you to speak with a flooring expert at one of our Floor Store locations to learn more about the high-quality hardwood flooring options available and what would be best for you. We carry today's best and most popular hardwood styles.
Installing hardwood flooring
When it comes to hardwood flooring installation, we recommend hiring a professional. Hardwood floor installation is a labor-intensive process that requires special tools and expertise. Because your hardwood floors will be a part of your home for years to come, it’s important to ensure your flooring installation is done properly. At The Floor Store, we have 9 area locations that have trained hardwood flooring installation professionals with years of experience. We’ll make sure your hardwood floors are installed properly so they are secure, safe, and beautiful. Schedule an estimate to begin your hardwood project today.
Before installation, it’s important to remove everything from the room, including furniture, curtains, and decorations. Your hardwood floor may need time to acclimate to the room before installation. This time can vary from a few days to a few weeks – your Floor Store installation professional will let you know how long this may last.
During the hardwood flooring installation, your installation professional may use different techniques depending on your situation and the product to be installed, including:
- Nailing down flooring
- Stapling down flooring
- Gluing down flooring
- Floating flooring
Depending on the technique used, there may be a fair amount of noise during the process. This will be particularly true if your floors are being sanded and finished.
After installation, maintaining your new hardwood wood floors will be up to you. Pay special attention to cleaning and preventing scratching and denting by using rugs, mats, and felt pads for furniture.
If you are sensitive to dust and odors, good ventilation should be established for 48 to 72 hours after installation to make sure that dust from the installation settles. From there, routine care and maintenance are up to you!
If you have questions about floor maintenance, we would be happy to answer them for you. Feel free to contact us at The Floor Store location nearest you.
How do I keep my hardwood floors clean?
The beauty and life of your hardwood floors depends on how you care for it. Follow a proper cleaning routine to keep it looking great over time. A few easy steps can extend the life of your hardwood flooring solution.
Keeping your hardwood flooring clean is easy. Establish a routine to sweep and dry mop your flooring regularly; how often depends on how much foot traffic the room receives.
Place area rugs, throw rugs, or mats in high-traffic areas to prevent scratches on your floors. In addition, use floor protectors on the feet of your furniture, and be careful when moving furniture around a room. Be conscious of footwear (high heels can scratch and dent wood surfaces) and pets (keep pet nails trimmed to avoid excessive scratching).
You should not wet-mop hardwood floors. Too much moisture can permanently damage wood flooring, causing cracking, splitting, and discoloration. If you spill water on your floor, clean it immediately with a clean cloth. The best rule is to follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning. While a damp, almost dry, mop may be recommended for maintenance, excessive water will damage your floors.
Yes, in many cases, they can be. Techniques for repair depend on the extent of damage and the type of finish used initially. If you have questions about your floor or flooring repair, feel free to contact us. We’ll walk you through our hardwood cleaning, repair, and restoration services.
Dealing with stains and spills
Spills are inevitable, but prompt action can prevent lasting damage. Address spills by blotting them with a dry, clean cloth. For stains, refer to your manufacturer's guide for recommended products and methods. Avoid excessive water, harsh chemicals, or abrasive tools, as they may harm your floors.
Frequently asked questions
You have questions? We have answers!
Hardwood flooring is available in three distinct types: solid, engineered, and longstrip flooring. These types differ in how they’re manufactured, which has implications for where and how they’re installed and how many times they can be refinished. As its name implies, solid wood flooring consists of a solid piece of wood with tongue and groove sides. Engineered and long strip flooring are manufactured by stacking thin layers of wood to create one wood plank. Please contact us if you have questions about which type is best for you. We’re happy to help!
With pre-finished wood flooring, boards are sanded, stained, and finished by the manufacturer. This reduces installation time, and floors are ready for use right after installation. Unfinished wood floors must be sanded and completed after installation. While the process takes longer, these floors allow for more customization or matching of colors to existing floors.
This is up to your style and lifestyle needs. “Species” of hardwood refers to the species of tree from which the flooring was constructed, such as maple, oak, or ash. Different species have different looks, hues, and degrees of hardness. At The Floor Store, we have dozens of species to choose from and can help you choose one that meets your sense of style and budget.
This depends on the type of flooring you choose. As a rule, solid wood flooring should be installed in rooms at or above ground level and is not recommended in any room where there is the possibility of water damage, such as the bathroom. Engineered wood flooring is much more versatile and can be installed almost anywhere in the home, including the basement. If you have more specific questions, feel free to contact us, and a Floor Store professional can help you.
