Hardwood floors online??? (home, prices, stores)

[SRQGator1]

Has anyone purchased hardwood floors online or at a discounter?

[Scythykins]

Drawing on my experience of having worked in kitchen design and in hardware stores for about 4 years, hardwood is always a tough thing to order online. The thing with hardwood flooring is that it's extremely susceptible to humidity and temperature change. Even laminate flooring is, but hardwood particularly so. In SW Florida, you're not in the deep freezer the rest of the nation is, so the shock of moving from a likely cold weather warehouse to humid FL will likely cause a LOT of warping and splitting. With laminate, since it's manmade and more dense, acclimating the product (ie: setting it in the room for a few days to a week before install) is typically enough to eliminate such issues, but with hardwood, it's better to go with a local distributor and inspect a board from every three or four boxes.

If you're DIYing the install (sounds like it if you're ordering online,) going through a big box like HD or Lowes allows for ease of getting more product for if (when) you miss a cut or underestimate materials needed. It's also a heck of a lot easier to return if you overestimate. They're also going to be national brands (such as Bruce) that will have more reputable warranties. Finally, they'll have availability of some of the more exotic woods (like bamboo, awesome for humid areas and gives an amazing look) at a much lower price.

HTH

[davery5872]

Originally Posted by SRQGator1

Has anyone purchased hardwood floors online or at a discounter?

I ordered laminate online a few years ago. Everything went well, except the unloading. I didn't realize I would be expected to help unload the truck when it got to my house. Not a big deal, I'm just glad I was home or I may not have received my flooring. I even did a small re-order two years ago when we had a water leak that damaged some floor. And a word to the wise, if your wife wants laminate in the kitchen, just say no. Or as I told mine, if something leaks; like the dishwasher, ice maker, etc; you can replace the laminate. Of course that didn't actually work when the flooring had to be replaced, but it was worth a shot.

[kikimiller]

I have often wondered about this myself..... I have seen some great deals for flooring on line..But if anyone is going to get ripped off, it will be me!!!
I would like to try Empire Flooring..they always have good prices on tv....has anyone used them?

[kbuild]

Lumber Liquidators just had over a Thousand square foot dropped off today.

[leaving texAss]

since many hardwoods are the result of rainforest destruction, you might want to consider alternatives.

[SRQGator1]

Nah I like rainforest destruction

[SRQGator1]

Originally Posted by kbuild

Lumber Liquidators just had over a Thousand square foot dropped off today.

what kind, color, price and do you like them?

By the way I was just kidding about liking rainforest destruction

[SRQGator1]

How bout bamboo floors?

[Scythykins]

Originally Posted by SRQGator1

How bout bamboo floors?

I'm very much a fan of bamboo as it performs admirably well in humid climates. Minimal expansion, so you don't get the annoying gaps between boards. It also just has a nice feel and is remarkably scratch resistant. Somewhat limited in colors though, as it's ridiculously dense.