As the name implies, hardwood floors are just that, floors made from hard wood. But despite this straightforward definition, hardwood floors are far from simple. With an impressive collection of hardwood species, the choice of colors, tones and style is infinite with this floor type.

What comes to mind when we see hardwood floors? Luxury, elegance, warmth and style are just a few words to describe floors made from wood. According to experts, hardwood is not only beautiful but it can also dramatically increase the value of your home. To protect your investment, we offer advice on care for different types of hardwood flooring. In general, Rejuvenate Floor Restorer and Protectant is ideal for restoring all types of hardwood flooring. It's also useful for maintaining cleanliness while adding shine and protection.

Ready to discover the diverse world of hardwood flooring? Click the tabs below to find out about different styles, types and species of hardwood.

Types:

Solid Hardwood- is one thick solid piece of wood, typically ½ to ¾ of an inch thick. The installation method is more difficult than engineered hardwood since it requires stapling and nailing. Additionally, solid hardwood can only be fitted over a wood subfloor or above-grade.

Engineered Hardwood- consists of several layers of wood bonded together under heat and pressure. The top layer has a selected wood species and is generally less than ¾ of an inch thick. Engineered hardwood is installed though either the gluing or floating method and can be applied in rooms with various levels of humidity. Engineered hardwood is manufactured in strips, planks or parquet patterns.

Styles of Hardwood Flooring:

Longstrip - a long and wide board that is fitted by gluing, stapling or floating. The top layer has several thin hardwood layers bonded together.

Parquet - smaller pieces of wood in various shapes and sizes; normally fitted together to create a pattern.

Wide plank - board is longer and wider than other styles and is typically one foot in width.

Plank flooring normally requires professional installation and is manufactured in a wide variety of styles, grades and species.

Hardwood Care & Maintenance:

Follow these tips and guidelines to keep you hardwood floors looking new:

Do Clean spills immediately to avoid stains. Lay protectors under furniture to prevent scratching. Dust floors regularly to prevent buildup of dirt. When using a vacuum to clean, always remove the beater bar. Close curtains to prevent color changes caused by exposure to sunlight. Place a coco mat at each doorway to stop dust, dirt and other particles there. Follow instructions given to you by your manufacturer. Keep pet nails trimmed and remove high-heels to avoid scratches.

Don't Never use steel wools or scouring pads to clean hardwood floors as this will cause scratches. Never use wet mops on hardwood as this raises the grain. Never leave wet rugs on the floor for extended periods of time.