Which pattern is best for you? Of course, it will depend on your personal preferences. If you opt for plank, the next question needs to be: Square-edges or Vjoints (bevels) on the face?

There are important differences. For example, square-edged flooring in high traffic areas is easier to clean. However, wider square-edged planks may show cupping. Therefore, under some conditions, beveled edges with wider planks may be the best solution.

With parquet, you should keep in mind how the scale of the pattern relates to the installation area. Parquet patterns can make your room feel formal but too many repeats of the pattem
may make the room seem busy. There is no substitute for a personal visit to our showroom where you can see your options "up close and personal."

From domestic wood to an "exotic" imported wood, MacDonald Hardwoods offers a large selection of premium hardwood flooring. Our offerings include exotic hardwood floors like Brazilian cherry hardwood, santos mahogany, tigerwood, and tiete rosewood. Or, stop in any of our showrooms to view our wide plank rustic North American floors like ash, bamboo, hickory, oak and maple.

We suggest you consider at least four factors -
appearance, cost, hardness and stability. The look and properties of some 22 different woods, both domestic and exotic, are detailed in a web page designed to help you make your decision - see our Wood Species Information Page.

No doubt that cost is an important consideration for our customers. But do not ignore the other factors. If you expect your floor to encounter high-traffic, make sure to consider the hardness of the species. Moreover, if you live in a region that experiences large seasonal humidity swings, note that some species are more dimensionally stable than others and therefore less susceptible to movement as a result of humidity
changes.

There are grades for most species, and many manufacturers of flooring also have proprietary grade names. The grade will obviously affect price.

Grade can be confusing! Again, we think it best that you compare and contrast grade differences in person. We would be happy to show you flooring samples to help your decision and discuss the industry grading system.

Cut refers to the wood's grain pattern. Have you heard the terms plainsawn, quartersawn or riftsawn? Plainsawn wood is the most typical and least expensive. Quartersawn and riftsawn
flooring are often found in older homes. They are rarer and, accordingly, more expensive. They tend to be more dimensionally stable than plainsawn.

A wall-to-wall layout is the simplest way to cover a floor, and the most traditional. A framed layout - two, three or four boards wide, depending on the size of the room - can be more decorative but more complicated. How will the corners meet? One option is for them to meet with mitered joints or lapped, as in a log-cabin? Instead, a diagonal layout may be appropriate for your project.

You'll need a plan for corners and edges like you'll find around the edge of the fireplace? Be sure to check out some of the installations and examples we display on our Design Center Web Page.

Perhaps you reside in a region with high humidity? Perhaps you need to match the wood floor height to adjacent floor coverings or cover a concrete slab. There are many factors to consider in your decision to install engineered/laminated or solid wood flooring.

How quickly do you need a new floor? Typically, a prefinished floor can be installed more quickly and with less disruption to your household. But others appreciate the natural beauty and options available for unfinished flooring and consider it "worth the wait." In either case, MacDonald Hardwoods is ready to help. Call us today at 1-800-639-3006.

*Source: National Wood Flooring Association Technical Publication A400