Discounted Hardwood Flooring – Engineered & Solid Hardwood Floors

Solid hardwood flooring is made from a single piece of natural wood. Engineered hardwood is made with a real hardwood surface over multiple layers designed to improve dimensional stability. Solid hardwood can typically be refinished more times, while engineered hardwood is often better suited for concrete subfloors, basements, and areas where moisture and humidity can fluctuate.

The best hardwood flooring depends on your room, lifestyle, budget, and installation requirements. Oak and hickory are popular choices for durability, while engineered hardwood is often preferred for concrete slabs, basements, and wider planks. Consider the wood species, finish, plank construction, wear layer, warranty, and installation method when comparing hardwood floors.

Hardwood flooring prices vary considerably based on the manufacturer, wood species, grade, plank width, finish, and whether you choose solid or engineered hardwood. When comparing prices, consider the flooring cost as well as freight, underlayment or adhesive, trim, waste, and installation.

Yes. Engineered hardwood has real wood as its visible wear surface. Unlike solid hardwood, which is one piece of wood from top to bottom, engineered hardwood uses multiple layers to provide additional dimensional stability. The NWFA classifies flooring with real wood as its top wearable surface as real wood flooring.

Traditional hardwood flooring is not waterproof. Excessive moisture or standing water can cause hardwood to swell, cup, warp, or become damaged. Some engineered hardwood products offer improved moisture resistance, but you should always check the manufacturer's specifications before installing hardwood in moisture-prone areas.

Harder species such as hickory and oak are popular for busy households because they resist dents and everyday wear better than many softer woods. However, species hardness isn't the only consideration. The quality of the finish, construction, maintenance, and household traffic all affect how well a hardwood floor performs over time.

Many engineered hardwood floors can be installed over properly prepared concrete using an approved glue-down or floating installation method. Solid hardwood generally requires a suitable wood subfloor. Moisture testing and following the flooring manufacturer's installation instructions are especially important when installing hardwood over concrete. NWFA installation guidance specifically permits engineered flooring for floating installations and stresses substrate and moisture testing.

Engineered hardwood is generally the better hardwood option for below-grade installations because its layered construction provides greater dimensional stability than solid hardwood. Solid hardwood is generally intended for installations on or above ground level. Always verify that the specific engineered hardwood product is approved by its manufacturer for below-grade installation.

Quality hardwood flooring can last for decades when properly installed and maintained. One major advantage of real hardwood is that many products can be refinished rather than replaced when the surface eventually becomes worn. Solid hardwood generally provides greater refinishing potential, while engineered hardwood's refinishing capability depends on its wear layer.

Yes. Solid hardwood flooring can typically be sanded and refinished multiple times. Some engineered hardwood floors can also be refinished, depending largely on the thickness of the real-wood wear layer. The NWFA notes that the number of times a floor can be sanded depends on factors including wear-layer thickness, floor condition, equipment, and the contractor performing the work.

Yes. Hardwood flooring can work well in homes with pets. Consider harder wood species and durable factory finishes to help minimize visible scratches and wear. Keeping pet nails trimmed, cleaning spills quickly, and using rugs or runners in high-traffic areas can also help protect your hardwood floor.

Regularly sweep, dust mop, or vacuum hardwood floors using equipment appropriate for wood flooring. Clean spills promptly and avoid excessive water, harsh chemicals, or cleaning products not approved for your particular floor. Always follow the flooring manufacturer's care and maintenance instructions.

For many hardwood installations, ordering approximately 5% to 10% extra beyond the measured square footage provides material for cuts, waste, board selection, and possible future repairs. Complex rooms, diagonal installations, patterns, and other layouts may require additional material. Your installer or flooring dealer can help determine the appropriate quantity for your project.

American Carpet Wholesalers sells hardwood flooring online or call us at 800-548-2706 and one of our friendly sales reps can answer any questions and take your order over the phone. You can also visit our showroom at 2317 Chattanooga Rd. Dalton, GA 30720 and view a large selection of products.