Hardwood
An Appearance That Will 'Floor' You!
Hardwood floors bring warmth, character, and timeless beauty to any home. Whether you choose traditional solid hardwood or modern engineered hardwood, both options offer that rich, natural look that never goes out of style. Solid hardwood is known for its lasting value and the ability to be refinished over time, while engineered hardwood gives you the same real wood surface with added stability that stands up better to humidity. At Tidewater Flooring, we help homeowners across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Hampton Roads find the perfect hardwood style for their space, balancing elegance with everyday durability.
Hardwood Planks or Engineered Hardwood Planks?
Both options bring warmth and natural beauty to a space. Solid hardwood is ideal for homeowners who plan to stay long-term and want the timeless feel of solid oak, maple, or hickory. Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, is a smart choice for Hampton Roads' humidity, offering the same authentic look with better stability and lower maintenance.
Solid Hardwood or Engineered Hardwood?
Solid Hardwood
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Construction: Made from a single piece of hardwood
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Appearance: 100% natural wood grain
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Durability: Can be sanded and refinished multiple times over decades
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Moisture Resistance: Expands and contracts with moisture. Not ideal for basements or water prone areas
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Installation: Nailed or glued to a subfloor
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Lifespan: 30-100+ years
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Best For: Homeowners who want long-term investment value and traditional beauty
Engineered Hardwood
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Construction: Built from multiple wood layers with a hardwood veneer on top
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Appearance: Looks identical to solid hardwood
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Durability: Can be refinished once or twice depending on thickness of the top veneer
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Moisture Resistance: More stable than solid hardwood.
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Installation: Nailed, Glued, or Floated. More flexible than solid hardwood.
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Lifespan: 20-40 years depending on quality and upkeep
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Best For: Homes that want real wood appearance with added stability and moisture resistance
Time To Transform Your Home
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How Hard is Hardwood?
In its most simple terms, the Janka Hardness Test is seeing how much effort it takes to push a steel ball into a piece of wood. Once the .44" ball is half of its diameter deep - the measurement of the force used to reach said depth is taken and written down. After some repetition and testing from different sides, the average of all the tests becomes the wood's Janka Rating.
There are over 60,000 species of trees in the world, and determining which one is going to make the perfect floor for your space can be tricky.
The hardest wood on Earth is Australian Buloke with a Janka rating of 5,060. This means it took 5060 pounds of force on that steel ball to press it into the wood. By comparison, the softest wood (Cuipo) clocked in with a mere 22.
For hardwood floors, the industry median is set at about 1290 on the Janka scale. This happens to correspond to Northern Red Oak.
Hardwood Flooring FAQ
Homeowners across Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, and the rest of Hampton Roads often have similar questions when choosing hardwood floors. Here are straightforward answers from the Tidewater Flooring team to help you make the right choice.
Q How much does hardwood floor installation cost per square foot in Virginia Beach or Chesapeake?
Hardwood flooring in Hampton Roads usually costs between $8 and $16 per square foot installed, depending on the wood species, finish, and prep work. We offer free in-home estimates so you can get an exact price before starting your project.
Q How long does hardwood installation take?
Most installations take two to five days, depending on the size of your space and the type of wood.
Q What’s the best wood species for Hampton Roads homes?
Popular hardwoods for our area include oak, hickory, and maple. They handle humidity well and stand up to everyday wear. For coastal homes, engineered hardwood is often a smart choice since it's more stable in changing moisture conditions
Q Can hardwood floors be installed in kitchens or bathrooms?
Solid hardwood isn't ideal for high-moisture areas, but engineered hardwood is more stable and can handle light humidity if properly sealed. For bathrooms or laundry rooms, LVP flooring is a better alternative.
Q How often should hardwood floors be refinished in Hampton Roads?
Most hardwood floors should be refinished every 7-10 years, depending on foot traffic and wear. Regular cleaning and using protective pads on furniture can extend the time between refinishings.
Q Do you remove old flooring before installing new hardwood?
Yes. Tidewater Flooring handles the removal and disposal of old carpet, tile, or laminate as part of the installation process. We'll also prep the subfloor to make sure your new hardwood lays perfectly flat.
Q How do I clean and maintain hardwood floors?
Sweep or vacuum regularly, and use a pH-neutral wood cleaner for mopping. Avoid harsh chemicals and excess water. We'll give you a simple care guide after installation to help your floors look new for years.
Q Can hardwood be matched to existing floors during a renovation?
Yes. We can often color-match and pattern-match your existing hardwoods, especially if they're oak or maple. Our installers can blend new boards seamlessly into older areas for a consistent look.
Q What’s the difference between solid and engineered hardwood?
Solid hardwood is made from one piece of real wood and can be refinished several times over its lifespan. Engineered hardwood has a real wood surface with layered backing, giving it more stability in humid environments like Hampton Roads.
Q Do you offer warranties for hardwood flooring projects?
Yes. All of our installations include a manufacturer warranty on the flooring and a Tidewater Flooring workmanship guarantee.
