Hardwood Floors in St. Thomas, ON

Hardwood floors bring timeless looks and natural elegance to every room it graces. While it’s definitely an investment, your hardwood floor will last for a lifetime if cared for properly.

Need new hardwood flooring in Southwestern Ontario? Elgin Carpet One Floor & Home is the region’s finest flooring store, with plenty of solid and engineered hardwood floors to choose from.

The Benefits of Hardwood Floors

Your new hardwood floor pays for itself over time.

Hardwood floors are built to last and when your taste or style changes, you can change the face of your floor as well.  In fact, some types of hardwood floors can be refinished many times.

A great option for people who have allergies, having hardwood flooring means the dust and dirt in your home has nowhere to hide. It’s a lot easier to clean for this very reason.

What Are the Different Species of Hardwood?

Hardwood floors come from trees- many, many different species of trees!  

Having trouble making sense of all your options? Ask yourself how active your family is and keep that in mind as you choose your flooring, room by room.  With our region tucked deep within the Great Lakes, summers can be pretty humid, and our winters, quite dry. Plan accordingly.

Some of Ontario’s most popular species of hardwood include:

• Hickory
• White Oak
• European White Oak
• Birch
• Maple

Each hardwood species has its own specific hardness level and grain patterns. Use tools like the Janka Hardness Scale to determine which woods will perform better in your home’s busiest spots.

Styling Your Hardwood Floors

After picking out your favorite hardwood species it’s time to select your signature style.  

Do you love vintage, weathered looks? Or, is your style more modern and sleek? Either way, we promise you’ll have plenty of ways to personalize your planks.

Pick and choose your favorite flooring features to express your true style:

• Grain Patterns
• Colours
• Textures
• Finishes
• Gloss Levels
• Plank Widths
• Plank Lengths
• Durability

Which is Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

Today’s hardwood floors have two distinct constructions including solid and engineered.

Solid hardwood floors and engineered hardwood floors appear exactly alike, but there are some important differences to know about. Your home’s activity levels, your budget, and the indoor climate will mostly decide which hardwood type is right for you.

• Solid hardwood flooring is the original version of this timeless floor. Each solid plank is just what it sounds like: one single, solid hunk of natural wood. Solid hardwood can be refinished repeatedly, but it does have some limitations. It must be used in dry, cool settings and cannot ever go below grade.

• Engineered hardwood flooring means that every floor plank has three to seven layers of wooden veneers laid in cross-grains. With its sturdier build, engineered hardwood floors don’t easily shrink or swell when moisture levels shift. Depending on which type of engineered hardwood you choose, thicker planks can be sanded or refinished once or twice. Install these beauties almost anywhere: they can even be used in a finished basement! A few types of engineered hardwood floors are even considered waterproof.

Where Can I Install Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood floors aren’t usually a great fit for kitchens and bathrooms.

Waterproof engineered hardwood flooring is the sole exception to that. Generally, however, hardwood floors are a great fit for:

• Bedrooms
• Living Rooms
• Family Rooms
• Libraries
• Home Offices
• Hallways
• Entryways
• Stairs
• Meeting Rooms
• Small Retail Shops

Planning Your Hardwood Flooring Installation  

Professional flooring installation is almost always the best choice.

Why, you ask? Hardwood installation can be a challenging job with little room for errors- not to mention that most hardwood product warranties require floors to be installed professionally.

Have you already scheduled your hardwood installation? Here are some things you can do before our crews arrive:

• Clean your room thoroughly.
• If your subfloor is visible, make sure it’s level and free of dents.
• Get a path ready so you can access the important spots: bathrooms and kitchens, for starters! This will make life a lot easier, especially if you plan on being home during installation.

Hardwood Floors & Humidity

Once your hardwood floors are perfectly in place, it’s up to YOU to protect them.

Some helpful tips for happy hardwood:

• Using a humidistat to maintain and monitor humidity in the home. For the best results, your room’s humidity levels shouldn’t drop below 35% or over 55%. 
• Get a dehumidifier or humidifier if you’re having trouble keeping humidity levels within the recommended zone.
• Floor protectors around sofa bases and table legs will go a long way in preventing damages.
• Avoid mopping with water.

Shop Hardwood Flooring Near You at Elgin Carpet One Floor & Home

Elgin Carpet One Floor & Home has you and yours fully covered when it’s time for the best hardwood flooring. We’re proud to be part of Carpet One Floor & Home, the continent’s finest cooperative of local flooring stores. Our membership means great prices, a huge variety of products, and professional services you can count on.

You’ll LOVE our selection of native Canadian hardwood species, in all the best hardwood flooring brands, including:

• Lauzon
• Preverco
• Twelve Oaks
• Mannington

To learn more about our local showroom and our hardwood offerings, please call us today to schedule your project estimate.