What's the difference between select, character, and rustic grades?

Grade describes the permitted appearance of the wood, including knots, color variation, and other natural markings. Select generally has fewer markings, while character and rustic grades allow more variation. Definitions differ by maker, so compare the actual grading description and a representative range of samples.

Herringbone vs chevron: what's the difference?

Herringbone uses rectangular boards laid in a staggered zigzag. Chevron uses boards cut at an angle so the ends meet in a continuous V. Both create a strong pattern; board proportions, layout, and color influence the effect. Compare the complete material and installation specification when considering cost.

Can you make a custom color?

Yes. Custom color is one of the options we can explore for your floor. Bring a physical reference where possible, and consider the result on the intended species, grade, and surface texture. Natural variation means the finished floor will have a range of tones rather than repeat one sample exactly.

What does bespoke mean at Duke?

Bespoke means developing a floor specification around the project. Depending on the maker and product, that can include dimensions, grain, grade, surface texture, pattern, and color. Our direct mill relationships help us understand which combinations are possible and where a standard specification may already achieve the intended result.

Do you have floors in stock?

Yes. Our range includes stock options alongside made-to-order and fully custom floors. Availability changes, so the required quantity, specification, and delivery schedule should be checked together. If timing is a priority, mention it at the start of the conversation.

Is expensive wood flooring worth it?

A higher price may reflect larger formats, more selective grading, unusual material, or additional custom work. Those differences can matter greatly in one project and add little in another. We work with good floors at several price levels and help you understand what each specification contributes to the finished room.

Why buy from Duke instead of a big-box store or an online supplier?

Duke helps with decisions that are difficult to make from a sample alone: construction, dimensions, finish, and the requirements of the space. Our material knowledge and direct mill relationships inform those choices, whether the right solution is in stock or made to a custom specification.

Wood parquet in a living and dining room

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers on choosing wood floors, installation, and care

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FAQ

Frequently
Asked Question

Everything you need to know about our
floors, services, and process.

Timing depends on current stock, the selected specification, any custom finishing, and delivery arrangements. Share your project schedule early so we can compare stock and made-to-order options. Ask for the expected lead time for your chosen floor before placing an order.
Engineered flooring is often a suitable choice for apartments, particularly where the subfloor is concrete or dimensional stability is a priority. Solid wood may also be appropriate. The choice should account for the subfloor, moisture conditions, floor height, building requirements, and the manufacturer's installation guidance.
Available widths and lengths vary by species, construction, and maker. Long, wide boards reduce the number of visible joints and change the scale of the floor. The proportions also need to suit the room and its site conditions; we can compare the available formats and the preparation each requires.
These terms describe how boards are cut from the log. Plain-sawn boards commonly show cathedral-shaped grain; rift-sawn boards tend toward straighter grain; quarter-sawn oak can show distinctive ray fleck. Live-sawn boards can combine several grain patterns. The cut affects appearance, availability, cost, and how the board responds to moisture.
Grade describes the permitted appearance of the wood, including knots, color variation, and other natural markings. Select generally has fewer markings, while character and rustic grades allow more variation. Definitions differ by maker, so compare the actual grading description and a representative range of samples.
Consider the appearance, the cleaning routine, and how repairs are handled. Oil finishes often retain a natural-looking surface and may allow local maintenance; polyurethane forms a protective film with its own recoating requirements. There are differences within both categories, so compare the actual finish systems and samples.
Matte finishes reflect less light and can make everyday marks less noticeable. Satin adds a soft sheen, while gloss gives a more reflective surface that tends to emphasize imperfections. View samples in the room's lighting and choose the sheen that works with the wood, the interior, and your expectations for upkeep.
Herringbone uses rectangular boards laid in a staggered zigzag. Chevron uses boards cut at an angle so the ends meet in a continuous V. Both create a strong pattern; board proportions, layout, and color influence the effect. Compare the complete material and installation specification when considering cost.
Tell us which sourcing or certification requirements your project needs to meet. We can check the documentation available for a particular product and maker. Sustainability claims and certification should be verified for the material being ordered rather than assumed from its species or country of origin.
A sample is most useful in the space where the floor will be installed. Ask about samples to review beside your cabinetry, stone, and fabrics, in both daylight and evening light. Wood varies naturally, so a single sample should also be considered alongside the product's grading and color range.
We can discuss sourcing reclaimed wood, unusual species, and other specialty floors. Availability, dimensions, condition, and quantities can vary considerably, especially with reclaimed material. Bring these requirements into the conversation early so the options can be assessed against the project.
Floor plans, approximate square footage, photographs, and inspiration images are a useful start. If other finishes are selected, bring samples or details of the cabinetry, stone, and fabrics. You do not need a complete specification before starting the conversation.
Yes. Custom color is one of the options we can explore for your floor. Bring a physical reference where possible, and consider the result on the intended species, grade, and surface texture. Natural variation means the finished floor will have a range of tones rather than repeat one sample exactly.
The schedule depends on the sample-development process, revisions, material availability, and the chosen finishing method. Color approval and production are separate stages, so allow for both in the project plan. Ask for the expected timing for the specific floor you are considering.
A close match may be possible, but species, grain, age, previous finishes, and light exposure all affect the result. A physical sample and photographs help establish what is realistic. In some spaces, a considered transition between floors produces a better result than a near match.
Bespoke means developing a floor specification around the project. Depending on the maker and product, that can include dimensions, grain, grade, surface texture, pattern, and color. Our direct mill relationships help us understand which combinations are possible and where a standard specification may already achieve the intended result.
Yes. Our range includes stock options alongside made-to-order and fully custom floors. Availability changes, so the required quantity, specification, and delivery schedule should be checked together. If timing is a priority, mention it at the start of the conversation.
Species, board dimensions, grain selection, grade, construction, surface treatment, pattern, and custom finishing can all affect material cost. Preparation, installation, and delivery also matter to the overall project. Comparing complete specifications helps identify which differences are worth paying for in your space.
A higher price may reflect larger formats, more selective grading, unusual material, or additional custom work. Those differences can matter greatly in one project and add little in another. We work with good floors at several price levels and help you understand what each specification contributes to the finished room.
Duke helps with decisions that are difficult to make from a sample alone: construction, dimensions, finish, and the requirements of the space. Our material knowledge and direct mill relationships inform those choices, whether the right solution is in stock or made to a custom specification.
Contact us with your trade role and project details to discuss pricing, samples, and specification support. We work with architects, designers, and contractors on material selection and custom options, with the scope shaped around the project.
Arranging a visit in advance gives us an opportunity to understand the project and prepare relevant materials. Contact the showroom to confirm a suitable time and current access arrangements. If you cannot visit in person, ask about ways to review the options remotely.

Start with the subfloor and the installation methods approved for your flooring. Moisture conditions, floor height, and your building's sound requirements matter too. Some products allow more than one method; others are more restricted. The adhesive or underlayment also needs to suit the complete assembly.
Check your building's written requirements before choosing the floor. It may require an acoustic underlayment or a specified sound rating. The tested floor and ceiling assembly matters: a rating printed on an underlayment's data sheet may describe a different construction from the one in your building.
Square footage is only part of it. Removing the old floor, preparing the subfloor, laying a pattern, and finishing on site each affect the schedule. Product conditioning, adhesive curing, and building work hours matter too. A useful estimate needs to account for the whole job, including when the room can be used again.
Follow the flooring manufacturer's acclimation and site-condition requirements. The space should be at the specified temperature and humidity, and the installer should check moisture in the wood and subfloor. Readiness depends on those conditions, not simply on how many days the boxes have been inside.
For a prewar project, the first step is understanding what's under the existing floor. Uneven framing, older subfloor assemblies, and tight clearances at doors can affect the choice of flooring and preparation. Share what you know about the building so we can discuss suitable material and the support your project needs.
Send your building's insurance requirements early. The contractor carrying out the work needs to check the requested coverage and documents with their insurance provider. Availability and timing must be confirmed for the proposed work before it is scheduled.
Sometimes, if both the existing floor and the new flooring system are suitable. The installer needs to assess stability, moisture, flatness, and the added height at doors and transitions. The new floor's manufacturer must also permit installation over that type of surface.
Yes, when the specific flooring product is approved for your heating system. The flooring and heating manufacturers' instructions need to agree on installation method, temperature limits, and operating conditions. Check those details before choosing the floor.
Requirements vary by building. The alteration agreement may call for contractor insurance documents, flooring and acoustic specifications, approved work hours, delivery arrangements, and deposits. Get the current requirements from management before choosing the floor assembly or setting a schedule.
We can help with flooring specifications and the product information your building requests. Send the alteration agreement early so we can review what it calls for. Insurance certificates and other contractor documents need to come from the appropriate party carrying out the work.
Start with your building's current alteration agreement and check the hours with management. Noisy work and deliveries may have different restrictions. Holidays, elevator access, and shorter working days can all affect the installation schedule.
Work out the route from the truck to the apartment before booking delivery. That includes the loading entrance, elevator size and reservation, building protection rules, and a place for the material. The delivery agreement should make clear who receives the order and who moves it upstairs.
Plan a dry, secure storage location that meets the flooring manufacturer's conditions. Site readiness, available space, and any acclimation requirements will help determine when material should arrive. Confirm any off-site storage arrangements, costs, and delivery responsibilities before ordering.
Insurance coverage and certificates need to be confirmed for the contractor and the work involved. Send your building's requirements so the relevant coverage and documentation can be reviewed before work is scheduled.
Check the written scope of your quote. Confirm whether it covers material supply, installation, subfloor preparation, removal of the old floor, and delivery. Any installation services and their costs should be agreed before you approve the order.
The allowance depends on room dimensions, board sizes, layout, and any sorting needed for the desired appearance. Herringbone, chevron, and irregular rooms may require more cutting than a straightforward plank layout. Confirm the quantity with the installer, including any spare boards you want for future repairs.
First, settle the product specification, finish, and quantity. The written quote should spell out the price, payment terms, estimated timing, delivery arrangements, and cancellation or return conditions. Custom work may also need an approved sample. Review those details before authorizing the order.
Tell us where the project is and what work it needs so we can confirm installation availability. If you have your own installer, we can help with product specifications for their review of the site conditions, installation method, and manufacturer's requirements.

Remove loose grit with a soft dust mop or a vacuum attachment suitable for wood floors. Use the cleaner recommended for the finish, following its dilution and moisture instructions. Keep water to a minimum and avoid steam cleaning unless the flooring manufacturer explicitly permits it.
The right repair depends on the finish, the depth of the damage, and whether the wood itself is affected. Some marks can be addressed locally; others require a broader repair or recoating. Identify the finish before applying a touch-up product or sanding, and use clean furniture pads to help reduce further damage.
Pets can leave scratches, dents, and moisture marks on wood floors. Species, finish, color, and grain all influence how visible that wear becomes; no wood floor is scratchproof. Keep nails trimmed, remove grit, clean up accidents promptly, and compare samples with the level of visible wear you are comfortable with.
Use the cleaning and maintenance products specified for the particular oil finish. Maintenance frequency depends on traffic, cleaning habits, and the condition of the surface. Refresh worn areas when the finish system calls for it, following its preparation, application, and drying instructions.
Refinishing capacity depends on the floor's construction, remaining usable wood, previous sanding, and current condition. Wear-layer thickness alone does not establish a reliable number of future sandings. Have the floor assessed before deciding between maintenance, recoating, and full sanding.
Wood and finishes can change color with light exposure, oxidation, and use. The direction and extent of that change depend on the species, treatment, and finish. Samples show the starting appearance; ask about the expected aging characteristics of the specific floor.
Wood can lose moisture and shrink when indoor air becomes drier, creating seasonal gaps. The amount of movement depends on the flooring and its environment. Check humidity against the manufacturer's recommended range, and have unusually wide, persistent, or changing gaps assessed rather than assuming they are seasonal.
Use a hygrometer to monitor indoor relative humidity and follow the range specified for your floor. Heating, air conditioning, humidification, and dehumidification may all play a role, depending on the apartment. Aim for consistent conditions throughout the year and avoid abrupt changes.
Light can change the color of wood and its finish, leaving visible differences beneath rugs and furniture. The effect varies by species, treatment, and exposure. Window coverings can help manage sunlight; when choosing a floor, consider how its color is likely to develop in the room.
Use clean, well-maintained furniture pads and lift heavy items rather than dragging them. Choose rug pads and chair mats explicitly compatible with the floor's finish, and follow any waiting period before placing rugs on a newly finished surface. Do not assume that a particular backing material is suitable for every wood finish.
Wipe up spills promptly and address the source of any leak. Standing water or moisture beneath the floor can affect the boards, adhesive, and subfloor, even when the surface appears dry. Significant exposure should be assessed before sanding or repairs; the floor's recovery depends on the extent of the damage and the drying conditions.
Avoid cleaning products or methods that the finish manufacturer has not approved. Vinegar, ammonia, abrasive cleaners, excess water, and steam can be unsuitable; waxes and oils also belong only on compatible finish systems. If you do not know the finish, identify it before trying a new product.
A change in sheen, a dry-looking surface, or visible wear in busy areas may indicate that maintenance is due. Cleaning residue can produce a similar appearance, so first check the cleaning method and the finish instructions. Addressing wear early can help preserve the surface, but the appropriate treatment depends on the finish and its condition.
A squeak can come from movement in the boards, fixings, adhesive bond, or subfloor. Seasonal changes may contribute, but a persistent or worsening noise deserves assessment. Note where it occurs and whether it changes with the season so the cause can be investigated before a repair is chosen.
Contact us with photographs and any information you have about the floor's construction, finish, and previous maintenance. Those details help establish whether a local repair, recoating, sanding, or board replacement may be appropriate. Compatibility and the condition of the existing floor need to be assessed before the scope is agreed.

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