Custom hardwood floors
are typically floors that are installed, sanded and
finished on the jobsite. Looking for
a stain color to match against your new cabinets you
cannot find in any retail showroom? Chances are good
any local retail flooring store will look at you
with a blank face when asked about custom coloring.
The preferred direction you want to take are guys
that handle hardwood flooring only.
Custom guys have years of experience under their
belts. In effect they know which color can be used
effectively with each hardwood specie. Some
hardwoods require more knowledge when creating
custom stains because of their inherent makeup. Some
may be oily, while others may have distinct
properties that take stains and finishes entirely
different.
Custom hardwood floor ideas can expand
exponentially. There are a multitude of
possibilities including custom hand
scraped/distressed floors. They can be distressed in
a special way to mimic what you may have seen in a
European chalet or castle for example; creating a
true custom floor.
In addition, specialty hardwood dealers will have
more hardwood selections. Something the other
flooring store probably never heard or knew existed.
Other custom floor applications can include hardwood
borders, medallions, and even copper, brass, and
aluminum feature accents that are inlaid into the
floors. They may also show you custom designs with
tile or stone. Stenciled and painted designs are
also an option.
 You
may find more than a few stores listed in the Yellow
Pages that use the word custom or finely crafted
wood floors, but I’ve found many use the terminology
only to attract potential customers. They may steer
you into their prefinished “custom” lines, but is
that really custom? What’s so custom about a mass
produced floor that other stores sell?
In some cases these same stores may only have entry
level knowledge in how to sell a custom floor. In
some cases they simply call the real custom floor
guy down the street to do the work after you’ve
signed on the dotted line. You’re basically paying
more
money to have the job done because the first
store will mark up the costs substantially.
Where To Find These
Custom Guys?
A
simple way is to use good ole Google and search for
"NWFA Floor Of The Year." Every year the National
Wood Flooring Association gives members an
opportunity to show the work they've completed over
the past year. Warning: Many of these custom designs
may make you drool. Categories include restoration,
factory prefinished, unfinished flooring in both
residential and commercial locations. Brief
descriptions of the work performed, products used,
along with company name and locations that performed
the work can be seen. |
