Hardwood flooring

[TripleDigitRide]

[quote name="Reservoir Dog" post="1033087" timestamp="1379262617"] Yeah, I figured the staircase would be expensive......and at the usual 15 steps, that is big chunk of change right there. The carpeting upstairs is starting to look bad, and will need replacement soon. So I would just as soon put down hardwood than re-carpet the floor. I am just afraid that I will run into the same problem about matching the existing hardwood. I chose the flooring from the builder's samples, so I have no idea of the manufacturer or item#. I does look similar in color and grain to the pictures you posted.[/quote] The thing is, even if you do know the brand and item number, there's no guarantee it will be an exact match. Not only is your existing wood "used", there can also be some shade variations during the manufacturing process. We've had customers return wood flooring because half of what they purchased was manufactured one day, and the other half was manufactured a week later, having a slightly different shade. Most flooring stores can give/get you some samples to take home and get the closest match. Most hardwood flooring is going to be red or white oak. While they do also use hickory, maple, etc., most average builders will use oak because it's generally cheaper. The pictures I posted are oak. Edited September 15, 2013 by TripleDigitRide

[TMF]

I like wide-variation grain and color in a floor better. It looks more interesting.

The premium grade wood is often so well matched and boring, that one would get the same look from pergo or vinyl. So consistent that it looks "fake".

That's why I chose the flooring I did. There is so much color variation in the grain that it matches virtually anything and makes it easy to conceal/camouflage damage with a little stain here and there.