When choosing a wood species for your custom wood floor, it is important to realize that wood, like all organic materials, has character and quirks, responds to its environment and changes over time. Because of its "personality", it is imperative that you know and understand the properties of each wood species before making a final selection for your hardwood floors.

Click the wood properties link for an overview of the physical and mechanical properties of wood in general.

Click on any wood floor sample below to view a description of the species.

American Cherry

White Ash

Beech

Teak

Australian Cypress

Douglas Fir

Antique Heart Pine

Hickory / Pecan

Birch

Brazilian Cherry

Jarrah

Santos Mahogany

Hard Maple

Merbau

Walnut

Wenge

Mesquite

Red Oak

White Oak

African Padauk

Pine

Purpleheart

Wood Flooring Options

• Unfinished Solid Wood is made up of genuine hardwood and is stained and finished after installation. Unfinished wood flooring leaves room for more personalization in the way of stain colors, finish options and design. This option is also a good choice for most areas of the home on the ground level or above.
• Prefinished Solid Wood is made up of genuine hardwood and is stained and finished in a factory. This option is often selected because there is no sanding involved in the installation process, thus eliminating the hassle of the dust mess.
• Engineered Wood consists of several layers of solid wood pressed and glued together, with the grains running in different directions, and a top layer of hardwood veneer. It is stained and treated with urethane or aluminum oxide. Engineered wood flooring is designed to be more dimensionally stable, making it less likely to buckle or cup in areas subject to high moisture content. It is ideal for use in basements where moisture is likely to cause problems for solid wood flooring.
  

Benefits of Wood Floors

No other flooring offers the warmth, beauty, and value of wood. Wood flooring enhances the décor of any room, and provides timeless beauty that will increase in value throughout the years. In fact, in a national survey of real estate agents, 90 percent said that houses with wood flooring sell faster and for higher prices than houses without wood floors. That’s money in your pocket!

Ease of Maintenance
Maintenance of today’s wood floors is easy! New technology in stains and finishes call for regular cleaning that takes little more than sweeping and/or vacuuming, with occasional use of a professional wood floor cleaning product. Designer Hardwood Floors recommends using only Citra Sheen cleaning products to maintain the luster and durability of your hardwood floors. More on wood floor maintenance»

Ecological
Wood floors are ecologically friendly. Since it is a natural resource, wood is both renewable and recyclable. Many of yesteryear’s old wood ships, warehouses, barns, and other structures often find a second life in wood flooring. And, because wood does not collect dust and other allergens, many leading health associations agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home.

Affordable
Today's wood floors are affordable and over time, increase in value. When other flooring options are looking tired and worn out, wood floors are still beautiful and timeless.