FAQs
Straight answers about hardwood, refinishing, stairs, concrete and our showroom. Don't see yours? Just ask.
Visit the showroom or send us a request. We'll talk through your home, your style and your budget, then set up a time to measure and check the subfloor before we quote.
Usually not for an install. For sanding and site-finished floors, plan to stay out of the rooms we're working in, and out of the house on finish days so each coat can cure without foot traffic. We'll give you the schedule up front so you can plan around it.
Yes. We use Bona dust containment and low-VOC, GREENGUARD-certified waterborne finishes for healthier indoor air, and we'll tell you when the floor is ready for little feet and paws.
In most cases, yes. We match the species, board width and stain so new boards blend in, and we can refinish the whole level so old and new wear the same color.
Yes. We work alongside general contractors, architects and designers on new builds and renovations, from material selection through installation, and our showroom is open to the whole team.
Yes, in most cases. We can phase the work by area or schedule it outside business hours so you can stay open. We plan the sequence with you before we start, so there are no surprises.
Anything from a single tenant suite to large commercial and multi-family projects. Tell us the square footage and timeline, and we'll staff and schedule the job to match.
Yes. We offer long-term maintenance, including deep cleaning and recoating, to keep high-traffic floors looking their best between refinishes.
Most installs take 2–5 days, depending on the size of the space, the condition of the subfloor and the product. Site-finished floors need a little longer so each coat of stain and finish can cure.
Yes. We deliver the wood 7–14 days ahead so it can adjust to your space’s temperature and humidity. Skipping this step is the most common cause of gaps and cupping later on.
Plan on roughly $12–$25+ per square foot for materials and installation, depending on species, width and finish. We’ll give you an itemized quote after measuring your space.
Solid hardwood is wood all the way through. Engineered hardwood has a real-wood top layer over a plywood or HDF core, so it handles moisture better (think basements and slabs) and costs less.
| Feature | Solid hardwood | Engineered hardwood |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 100% solid wood | Real-wood top layer over plywood or HDF |
| Refinishing | 7–10 times | 2–4 times |
| Moisture resistance | Prone to moisture damage | More moisture-resistant |
| Installation | Nail-down or glue-down | Floating, glue-down or nail-down |
| Lifespan | 50+ years with proper care | 20–30 years |
| Cost | Higher upfront cost | More budget-friendly |
Yes. Solid hardwood is often preferred, but high-quality engineered hardwood still adds value, especially in areas where moisture resistance matters.
Yes. Over a slab we use a moisture barrier, or an engineered hardwood made to be glued down or floated. We’ll test the slab’s moisture first and recommend the right approach.
Hardwood does well in kitchens with sensible care. Bathrooms with a shower are tougher on wood, but we carry a hardwood from Mafi that’s made for wet areas, and luxury vinyl is a great alternative there.
With proper care, a water-based finish protects your floor for 6–8 years or longer. When it starts to wear thin, usually in high-traffic areas, a single-day recoat restores the sheen and protection without sanding. A full sand is only needed once wear reaches the wood itself.
Yes. Refinishing is the perfect time to lighten, darken or revive the original color. As a Bona certified contractor we have a wide range of stains, and we put samples right on your floor so you can see them in your own light before choosing.
Very little. We sand with Bona dust containment systems, which cut airborne dust by 99.8% compared with traditional sanding, and we cover furniture, doorways and vents to protect the rest of your home.
Often, yes. Sanding removes most scratches and many water stains. Boards with damage that goes too deep can be repaired or replaced and blended in with the rest of the floor.
We'll help you pick the right one for your space at your consultation.
A fast, safe way to remove built-up dirt, grime and residue from hardwood without sanding. It's a great way to bring dull floors back between refinishes.
Usually, yes. We pull the carpet, check what's underneath, then cap or replace the treads and risers with hardwood that matches your floors.
That's the goal. We build treads, risers and nosing in the same species, stain and finish as the floor around them, so the stairs and landings read as one piece.
Horizontal steel, iron balusters, glass panels and classic wood, as well as custom designs. Stop by the showroom to see stair and railing systems in person.
Yes. Hardwood stairs can be sanded and refinished along with your floors, including a new stain color, so everything matches again.
Usually, yes. Most sound slabs can be polished, even under old carpet glue, paint or coatings, and minor cracks can be filled as part of the job. We’ll look at your floor and tell you what’s possible before you commit.
Most commercial spaces are done in several days to a week, depending on the size of the space, the condition of the slab and the finish you choose. Homes are often quicker. We’ll give you a clear schedule at your consultation.
Very. Regular sweeping and an occasional damp mop are usually all it needs, with no waxing, stripping or recoating. A protective guard helps it resist stains and moisture, and with the right care the floor looks great for decades.
Not when it’s clean and dry; it’s a smooth floor, not a slick coating. For entries, kitchens and other areas that get wet, we can recommend a lower sheen or a slip-resistant treatment.
Yes. We use non-reactive, environmentally friendly dyes in one or more colors, then finish with a clear coat in a matte or glossy sheen. Patterns and logos are possible too.
It is. Polishing uses the slab you already have instead of adding new flooring material, and the US Green Building Council’s LEED program recognizes polished concrete as a green flooring option.
We do both and can help you choose at your consultation.
Both are two-part coatings, a resin and a hardener that cure into a tough, seamless layer. Epoxy builds a thick, hard surface; polyaspartics cure faster and resist yellowing in sunlight, which suits garages with big doors. We'll recommend the right system for your space.
It's one of the most popular uses. A coated floor seals the slab against oil, road salt and moisture, cleans up easily and makes the garage feel finished. Flake systems add texture and help hide dust and dirt.
Yes. A coating is seamless, waterproof and resists stains and chemicals, which makes it a great fit for utility rooms, workshops and basement gyms. For cozy living areas, it's less warm underfoot than other floors, so we'll talk through options.
Usually, yes. We grind the slab to open it up so the coating bonds, remove old coatings and fill cracks before the first coat goes down. We'll look at your floor and tell you what's possible before you commit.
A smooth coating can be slippery when wet, so we can add a non-slip texture or choose a flake finish for entries, kitchens, garages and other areas that get wet.
Staining is a durable option on a budget. We use non-reactive, environmentally friendly dyes in one or more colors, then finish with a clear coat in a matte or glossy sheen.
We're open Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, and Saturdays by appointment. Walk-ins are welcome during the week.
Anyone. General contractors, builders, designers, architects and DIY homeowners all buy from our showroom, and we'll give each of you the same expert advice our own crews get.
Yes. Colors look different on a screen and under showroom lights, so we encourage you to take samples home and see them next to your cabinets, paint and natural light before you order.
Yes. Contractors, builders and designers get trade pricing on the materials we carry. Talk to our showroom team about pricing for your project.
We keep in-stock materials and samples at our Zuni St showroom. For special orders, we'll give you a reliable timeline up front.
Absolutely. Install it yourself, hand it to your crew, or let us schedule professional installation and coordinate the logistics for you.
| Feature | Hardwood | LVT / LVP | Laminate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Natural wood | Synthetic (PVC-based) | Composite wood with a printed surface |
| Durability | Can scratch or dent, but can be refinished | Highly scratch- and dent-resistant | Scratch-resistant, but can chip |
| Water resistance | Susceptible to moisture | 100% waterproof | Water-resistant, not waterproof |
| Installation | Nail-down, glue-down or floating | Click-lock, glue-down or loose lay | Click-lock floating |
| Maintenance | Refinish over time | Low maintenance | Low maintenance, can't be refinished |
| Cost | Higher upfront investment | More budget-friendly | More affordable than hardwood, similar to LVT |
| Resale value | High | Moderate | Lower than hardwood and LVT/LVP |
Luxury vinyl (LVT/LVP) resists scratches, dents and water better, which makes it ideal for high-traffic areas. Hardwood is durable too, and it can be refinished over time instead of replaced.
Luxury vinyl is 100% waterproof, so it's a better choice for bathrooms, basements and kitchens. Hardwood can warp or stain when it's exposed to moisture.
Hardwood has the higher resale value thanks to its timeless appeal and the fact that it can be refinished. High-quality luxury vinyl can still add value.
| Flooring | Cost per sq ft (materials & installation) |
|---|---|
| Hardwood | $12–$25+ |
| LVT / LVP / Laminate | $8–$12 |
Your price depends on the product, the space and the prep it needs. We'll give you an itemized quote after measuring.

Get in touch
Call us, send a message or stop by the showroom. We're happy to talk through your project.