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Whatever you do, if you get something like an engineered Brazilian cherry (we got ours from Lumber Liquidators and had a fantastic installer), DON'T put area rugs on top of the flooring until it darkens up a couple of shades, which this wood does.
We made that mistake and had a large, lighter square underneath! ugh. We've pulled up the rug and the lighter flooring is catching up but not nearly as fast as I'd hoped. We've had a wonky weather summer and inconsistent sunlight. I may have to put the rug back on come winter. It's echo'y in here.
I presently have cherry wood floors throughout and do not like the look. It's not awful, but simply not in keeping with my design aesthetic. I plan to go with white oak. I'm just beginning to conduct research on the best installers and types of flooring.
Why? Really, what is so awful about the floors you bought last time?
I'd think this info (FROM THE INSTALLER who sells it) comes before the decision to use their line - vs what another installer uses.
...and just in case NO! Lowes, HD, etc don't qualify.
The floors are not bad, but I certainly didn't pick them. They were put in by the previous owner, who lived in the condo for a number of years.
White Oak.
Quarter sawn or Rift Sawn.
I laid about 800SF of natural prefinished quartersawn select and better white oak in our home 20 years ago, and it still looks great. If we ever tire of it, it can be sanded and stained and re-finished.
https://hickmanwoods.com/frequently-asked-questions/
Of course, prefinished may require some sort of eased edge and ends. Ours are micro-eased. If you have the floors finished onsite, the smoothness is lovely and the boards will almost completely blend together.
The links that you shared are very nice. I have a lot of decisions to make.
Those appear to be site-finished floors. It is most likely white or red oak (the grain and the rays are a dead give away- cherry has a smaller/tighter grain pattern) with a cherry stain. If you have floor registers, you can pull a register up and look at the end cut to see.
If the flooring is by chance not 3/4" thick and is instead about 3/8" thick/with well defined layers- it's engineered.
Site-finished can be sanded clear- and you can stain a new color, or leave natural. Some engineered floors I have seen sanded clear and refinished- but that will be the one and only time it can be done. It has to be done by someone who has decades of wood flooring experience.
I would definitely look into this before going hog-wild on a tear-out!
Those appear to be site-finished floors. It is most likely white or red oak (the grain and the rays are a dead give away- cherry has a smaller/tighter grain pattern) with a cherry stain. If you have floor registers, you can pull a register up and look at the end cut to see.
If the flooring is by chance not 3/4" thick and is instead about 3/8" thick/with well defined layers- it's engineered.
Site-finished can be sanded clear- and you can stain a new color, or leave natural. Some engineered floors I have seen sanded clear and refinished- but that will be the one and only time it can be done. It has to be done by someone who has decades of wood flooring experience.
I would definitely look into this before going hog-wild on a tear-out!
I have the information on the floors and they are 3/4" thick and were site finished. Perhaps if I had the time and inclination to find an experienced person to sand and stain them, I'd keep it, but at this point, I'm getting my kitchen redone and want oak floors in a chevron style throughout my apartment.
The links that you shared are very nice. I have a lot of decisions to make.
I assumed your condo project is in the east, "Location: DC Metro and NY"
So I picked PA Appalachian hardwood vendors. I figured shipping to your location shouldn't be too awfully expensive.
I don't know either of the owners.
Hickman can provide prefinished or unfinished flooring.
They think most folks will prefer unfinished/finished on-site for a superior appearance.
But, prefinished lets you skip a lot of dust and mess from sanding and finishing, and also time for installation.
Once a board is installed, that board is done.
I assumed your condo project is in the east, "Location: DC Metro and NY"
So I picked PA Appalachian hardwood vendors. I figured shipping to your location shouldn't be too awfully expensive.
I don't know either of the owners.
Hickman can provide prefinished or unfinished flooring.
They think most folks will prefer unfinished/finished on-site for a superior appearance.
But, prefinished lets you skip a lot of dust and mess from sanding and finishing, and also time for installation.
Once a board is installed, that board is done.
I have the information on the floors and they are 3/4" thick and were site finished.
Had you started this exercise with a REAL wood flooring contractor...
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Perhaps if I had the time and inclination to find an experienced person to sand and stain them...
psst... These are the same people who would install the new wood flooring.
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I'll donate the wood flooring that is pulled up.
Not likely. Even if you paid the money required for the crew to remove them carefully enough that some/most can be re-used...
are you willing to pay that extra bill too?
Quote:
I'm getting my kitchen redone and want oak floors in a chevron style throughout my apartment.
oh.
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I have a lot of decisions to make. 
