Hardwood flooring is available in three distinct types:

• solid wood flooring
• engineered wood flooring
• long strip flooring

These types differ in the way they’re manufactured, which has implications for where and how they’re installed and how many times they can be refinished. Solid wood flooring, as its name implies, consists of a solid piece of wood with tongue and groove sides. Engineered and long strip flooring are both manufactured by stacking thin layers of wood to create one wood plank. If you have questions about which type is best for you, feel free to contact us. We’re happy to help!

With pre-finished wood flooring, boards are sanded, stained and finished by the manufacturer. This cuts down on installation time and floors are ready for use right after they’re installed.

Unfinished wood floors must be sanded and finished after installation. While the process takes longer, these floors allow for more customization or matching of colours to existing floors.

This is largely up to you. “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 Roman’s Flooring and Stairs, 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.

When it comes to cleaning hardwood floors, it’s best to follow manufacturer recommendations. Regular sweeping and vacuuming will keep dirt and dust off of your floors. But, when it comes to cleaning products, it is important to be careful. You should never use products designed to clean vinyl or tile floors, and it’s generally not a good idea to use oil soaps, ammonia-based cleaners, or certain waxes. If you aren’t sure of your flooring manufacturer, or if you’re unclear about cleaning guidelines, contact Roman’s Flooring and Stairs and we would be happy to help.

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, you should clean it up 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 definitely damage your floors.

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).

Yes, in many cases they can be. Techniques for repair depend on things like the extent of damage and the type of flooring finish that was originally used. If you have concerns about your floor, or questions about flooring repair, feel free to contact us. We’ll walk you through our services for hardwood cleaning, repair and restoration.