Find the look you want

Request a quote











    What to think about when selecting hardwood flooring

    No doubt about it. Hardwood flooring is beautiful, warm, and classic.

    The gorgeous undertones themselves are enough to make anyone say "Wow!" There's so much from which to choose it's easy to get distracted by the beauty, but you do need to think about some things first.

    Tampa Flooring Gallery & Tampa Contract Floors would love to tell you more and show you samples of this terrific product.

    We’re family-owned with over 125 years of experience and can help you bring your vision to life. Following is a little guide to help you find the best wood floors.

    Think about which construction you want

    Solid is, as the name implies, one slab throughout the thickness. The other construction is engineered wood flooring. That is the only difference, and it is this that makes the flooring more stable and better able to handle water.

    At the top of engineered is a slice of wood species where you’ll see knots, grains, swirls, undertones. Underneath are three or more layers of genuine wood combined with a little resin. Then the layers are placed on a crosswise position. With engineered, there is more flexibility, since it can be installed in some higher-than-normal moisture areas where solid isn’t recommended.

    Both types add value to your home and can be sanded and refinished. Solid has a tongue and groove installation which is then is nailed or glued. Engineered also offers the floating floor technique. Pieces click together like a tongue and groove to form a mat. Then it becomes a loose lay, just hovering over the existing subfloor with no staples, nails, or adhesive needed. Thickness is also something important to note for both types. This determines how many times either solid or engineered can be sanded and refinished. The thicker is better. The ideal for solid is ¾-inch and engineered ranges from ⅝ to ½-inch.

    Tampa Flooring | Hardwood

    What’s your style?

    Light and airy? Contemporary? Traditional? There are many domestic and exotic species from which to choose, but these five are the most commonly selected: oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and hickory. Keep in mind that there's both red oak and white oak so ask your flooring pro about the difference.

    Consider plank size. Currently, wider planks are trending. They tend to be more traditional and the extra space means you see more knots and grains. Narrow planks are more contemporary and tend to be better for smaller spaces.

    For more information about hardwood flooring, visit the Tampa Flooring Gallery & Tampa Contract Floors showroom in Tampa, FL. We serve the entire greater Tampa area and don’t forget to ask about our estimates.