Transform Your Home: The Ultimate Guide to Hardwood Flooring

Transform Your Home: The Ultimate Guide to Hardwood Flooring Transforming your home begins with the foundation beneath your feet, hardwood flooring. This timeless choice not only enhances the aesthetic of any space but also adds substantial value to your property. The warm tones and natural textures of hardwood can complement any decor style, from rustic charm to modern elegance. However, like any investment, maintaining your hardwood floors is essential for longevity and beauty. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about choosing the right hardwood flooring for your home, along with expert refinishing tips that will breathe new life into tired floors. Whether you're a seasoned DIY enthusiast or a first-time homeowner, our comprehensive insights will empower you to make informed decisions, ensuring your floors remain stunning for years to come. Types of Hardwood Flooring When it comes to selecting hardwood flooring, the array of choices can be both exciting and overwhelming. Each type of hardwood brings its own unique characteristics and charm, making it essential to understand the options available. One of the most popular choices is oak, known for its durability and classic grain pattern. Oak comes in two varieties—red [...]

jennifer Griffin2025-10-14T13:41:17+00:00October 14th, 2025|Engineered Hardwood Floors, Hardwood Floors, Hardwood Refinishing, Pre-Finished Hardwood Floors|

Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Hardwood Floors: Which Is Right for Your Louisville Home?

When it comes to new flooring, Louisville homeowners often find themselves torn between luxury vinyl plank (LVP) and real hardwood floors. Both options are stylish, durable, and popular — but they’re very different materials with their own strengths and trade-offs.Here’s what you need to know before deciding which floor fits your home, lifestyle, and budget.1. The Look and FeelNothing matches the natural warmth and character of real hardwood. Each plank features unique grain patterns and color variations, lending your home a timeless appeal.Luxury vinyl plank, on the other hand, does an impressive job mimicking the look of wood — and high-end brands can fool the eye at first glance. But underfoot, LVP feels slightly softer and less substantial than true wood.If authentic beauty and craftsmanship matter most, hardwood wins.2. Durability and MaintenanceLVP is designed for durability. It’s resistant to scratches, dents, and moisture — making it ideal for basements, bathrooms, and busy households with pets or kids.Hardwood is durable, too, but it requires a bit more care and maintenance. It can be refinished multiple times over its lifetime, which means it can literally last for generations. However, it’s more sensitive to humidity changes — something Louisville homeowners [...]

jennifer Griffin2025-10-09T14:34:56+00:00October 9th, 2025|Hardwood Floors, Luxury Vinyl Planking|

What things you should consider when installing engineered hardwood floors

When considering engineered hardwood flooring for your home, it's crucial to ask the right questions to make an informed decision. What is the thickness of the wear layer? The wear layer is the topmost layer of real hardwood veneer that bears the brunt of foot traffic and wear. A thicker wear layer indicates greater durability and longevity. Aim for a wear layer of at least 2 millimeters (mm) for high-traffic areas and at least 3mm for commercial spaces. What is the Janka hardness rating of the wood species? Janka hardness is a measure of a wood's resistance to indentation. A higher Janka rating indicates harder wood that can withstand scratches and dents better. Common hardwood species for engineered flooring include oak (Janka rating 1,720), maple (Janka rating 1,450), and walnut (Janka rating 1,670). What is the finish type and durability rating? The finish protects the wood and determines its sheen and stain resistance. Common finish types include urethane, aluminum oxide, and polyacrylic. Look for a finish with a high durability rating to ensure it can withstand wear and tear. What is the moisture resistance rating? Engineered hardwood is generally more moisture-resistant than solid hardwood due to [...]

jennifer Griffin2023-12-05T16:57:12+00:00December 5th, 2023|Engineered Hardwood Floors, Hardwood Floors|

Oil based vs. water based polyurethane

What is the difference between water based polyurethane and oil based polyurethane? Both oil and water based polyurethanes are like a coat of armor for the hardwood floor below, protecting the wood from damage. Each type of polyurethane is a sacrificial layer that will show scratches and wear marks over time, and both oil and water based polyurethane have their strengths! DURABILITY: If each product is applied properly using quality products, the difference in durability is indiscernible. A lot of clients think that water based poly is not as durable as an oil based poly, but a newer brand, quality water based poly will last just as long if it is well taken care of! COLOR: Oil-based poly has an amber hue, whereas water based poly is clear. An oil based polyurethane will continue to amber and darken over time, while water-based poly will remain clear for the lifetime of the hardwood floor. This color difference is less noticeable over a stained hardwood floor, but an oil based poly will still exhibit an amber hue that will continue to darken over time. DRYING TIMES: Oil-based poly takes much longer to dry and cure, and only one coat [...]

jennifer Griffin2021-03-25T03:37:09+00:00July 15th, 2019|Hardwood Floors, Hardwood Refinishing|

Top 6 Trim Styles That Make Your Room Pop

Once you have decided on a beautifully hand-finished floor, putting thought into your choice of trim work is the key to giving your room a stylish, polished look. The right trim unites the floor, walls, window and door frames, and fixtures into a coherent whole. And there are countless options for each type of trim, from clean lines for a modern room to more decorative styles perfect for Victorian-style homes and more traditional settings. As you flip through catalogues and website pages of trim, think about the period and style of the architecture, the color and texture of each element of the room, as well as the type of atmosphere and furnishings you want for the space. Here are six common types of trim you may consider: Crown Molding: Traditionally found in a more decorative setting, this popular trim between the wall and ceiling has evolved, with more streamlined designs available for modern rooms, as well as more ornate styles. Crown moldings are great to consider when you have showcase fixtures such as chandeliers, as they draw the eye toward the ceiling. Baseboards: The baseboard is the most common type of trim, and [...]

jennifer Griffin2021-03-25T03:37:09+00:00April 8th, 2019|Hardwood Floors, Trim Carpentry, trim work|

Hardwood Floors

Transform Your Home: The Ultimate Guide to Hardwood Flooring

Luxury Vinyl Plank vs. Hardwood Floors: Which Is Right for Your Louisville Home?

Top 10 Questions About Hardwood Flooring Refinishing

What things you should consider when installing engineered hardwood floors

Oil based vs. water based polyurethane

Top 6 Trim Styles That Make Your Room Pop