Our Recommended Brands

At Top Quality, we proudly work with some of the most trusted hardwood flooring brands in the industry. Whether you prefer the sleek designs of L.W. Mountain, the traditional charm of Appalachian, the innovative styles of Duchateau, or the high-quality durability of Mirage, we’ve got you covered. These brands are renowned for their performance and craftsmanship, ensuring you’ll find the perfect fit for your home.

Deciding on the right flooring doesn’t have to be overwhelming. At Top Quality, we’re here to guide you every step of the way. With our expertise and access to top-tier brands, we can help you find the ideal hardwood flooring solution for your space. Contact us today to start your flooring journey and make your dream home a reality!

The Beauty and Durability of Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood looks almost identical to solid hardwood, offering the same natural and elegant appearance. However, its structure sets it apart. Unlike solid hardwood, which is made from a single piece of wood, engineered hardwood consists of multiple layers.

The core layers provide excellent stability, while the top layer is made of real wood, giving it the same authentic look as solid hardwood. This layered construction makes engineered hardwood less likely to expand, contract, or shift when exposed to moisture, humidity, or temperature changes. These properties allow it to withstand conditions that might cause traditional hardwood to warp or swell.

Additionally, engineered hardwood is suitable for installation over concrete or radiant heating systems, making it a practical option for various spaces in your home.

Ease of Installation

One significant advantage of engineered hardwood is its straightforward installation process. Unlike solid hardwood, which requires acclimation to the home’s conditions before installation, engineered hardwood is ready to go as soon as it arrives.

For DIY enthusiasts, it can even be installed without professional help, although hiring a professional is always recommended for a flawless finish. The ease of installation can save you time and effort while delivering stunning results.

Versatility in Design and Use

Engineered hardwood offers a vast array of design options. It comes in a wide range of wood species, finishes, plank widths, and thicknesses, allowing you to customize your flooring to suit your home’s aesthetic. Whether you prefer slim planks for a modern look or wide planks for a rustic feel, engineered hardwood has you covered.

Its versatility also extends to practicality. If you need thinner wood for a specific project or area, engineered hardwood is available in varying thicknesses that can meet your needs. Moreover, many engineered hardwood floors can be refinished, giving them a longer lifespan and maintaining their beauty over the years.

Why Choose Engineered Hardwood for Your Home?

Engineered hardwood flooring is a durable, stylish, and versatile option that works well in a variety of settings. It combines the classic appeal of hardwood with added resistance to environmental factors, making it ideal for spaces prone to moisture or temperature fluctuations. The easier installation process and wide range of design choices further enhance its appeal, making it a top choice for homeowners looking to enhance their interiors.

If you’re considering new flooring for your home, engineered hardwood is a smart investment that offers both beauty and practicality.

Is Luxury Vinyl Flooring Right for You?

Luxury vinyl flooring is a great option for those seeking style and practicality without the higher cost of premium materials. Its waterproof properties, low maintenance, and versatility make it ideal for spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. However, if increasing your home’s value or ensuring slip resistance is a priority, other flooring options might be worth considering.

For homeowners in Chicago and beyond, luxury vinyl flooring offers an excellent balance of form and function. If this guide has helped clarify your decision, you're one step closer to a flooring solution that suits your needs!

Wall Accents and Features

Creating a feature wall with hardwood planks can dramatically alter the ambiance of any room, offering both aesthetic and practical benefits. In a living room or den, a hardwood accent wall can serve as the perfect backdrop for mounted TVs or artwork. In bedrooms, a partial or full hardwood wall behind the headboard can introduce warmth and texture, making the space more inviting. Hardwood walls are also excellent for improving the acoustics in home theaters or music rooms.

Ceiling Enhancements

Applying hardwood to the ceiling can transform an often overlooked area into a striking design element. This technique works well in rooms with vaulted or high ceilings by drawing the eye upward and making the space feel more dynamic. For a cohesive look, match the ceiling hardwood with the flooring or choose a contrasting wood stain for a bold design statement. This approach pairs beautifully with architectural features like skylights or exposed beams.

Custom Furniture

Turn leftover hardwood flooring into stunning, custom furniture pieces. Crafting a dining table, desk, or shelving units from hardwood planks not only ensures you have a unique item but also allows for a perfectly coordinated decor. These pieces can anchor a room’s design, reflecting a handcrafted and thoughtful approach to interior styling.

Kitchen Upgrades

In the kitchen, hardwood can be employed in several ways beyond traditional flooring. Use planks to craft a bespoke kitchen island, wrap a breakfast bar, or even design unique, hardwood-faced cabinets. If you are concerned about durability, consider hardwood for decorative yet non-primary surfaces, like creating a standout pantry door or a framed chalkboard for family notes.

Decorative Shelving

Simple yet effective, decorative shelving made from hardwood flooring can enhance any room. Whether it’s a set of floating shelves in the bathroom, a rugged bookshelf in the study, or spice racks in the kitchen, these additions are both practical and visually appealing. They offer a way to display decorative items, organize essentials, and add a natural element to your space.

Outdoor Projects

Extend the beauty of hardwood to your outdoor living areas. Hardwood flooring can be repurposed for outdoor projects like decking, patio furniture, or decorative garden paths. These uses require the wood to be treated for outdoor durability, but they can significantly elevate the appearance of your garden or patio area, creating a seamless flow from indoors to outdoors.

The versatility of hardwood flooring offers numerous creative possibilities to redefine your living spaces. By thinking beyond the floor, you can integrate this material into various aspects of your home’s design, from structural enhancements to decorative touches. Such innovative uses not only capitalize on hardwood's natural beauty but also promote a sustainable approach to interior design by repurposing and upcycling materials. Embrace these ideas to give your home a unique and cohesive look that stands out.

To minimize damage from pets, keep their nails trimmed to reduce the likelihood of scratches. Using rugs and mats in high-traffic areas and under feeding stations can protect your floors from scratches and spills. Clean any spills immediately, especially pet accidents, to prevent staining and water damage. Opt for a durable, high-quality flooring finish that provides an extra layer of protection against scratches and stains. Additionally, use protective pads under furniture legs to prevent scratches when pets move furniture around.

Maintaining hardwood floors with pets involves regular cleaning, such as sweeping or vacuuming to remove pet hair, dirt, and debris that can scratch the floor. Mop with care using a damp mop and a hardwood floor cleaner, avoiding excessive water that can damage the wood. Periodically refinishing your hardwood floors will keep them looking fresh and add an extra layer of protection. Preventative maintenance includes placing mats at entrances to catch dirt and moisture and using runners in hallways to reduce wear and tear. Maintaining a consistent indoor humidity level will also prevent the wood from expanding and contracting, which can cause gaps and cracks. By selecting the right hardwood and following these maintenance tips, you can enjoy beautiful floors while accommodating your pets.

Future Trends in Smart Home Flooring Technology

The future of smart home flooring technology is promising, with advanced sensor technology leading the way. IoT-connected sensors are expected to deliver more precise and predictive maintenance alerts, leveraging enhanced connectivity and data analysis. Nanotechnology is also making strides in this field, offering sensors capable of detecting environmental changes at a microscopic level for even greater accuracy.

Sustainability will play a crucial role in future flooring solutions. Eco-friendly materials like bamboo or reclaimed wood may be integrated with smart technologies, including built-in sensors for environmental monitoring. Innovations in material science may also lead to floors with self-repairing capabilities, addressing minor scratches, wear, or damage without the need for manual intervention.

User experience is another area poised for improvement. Advanced integration with voice assistants will allow seamless control of smart flooring features such as heating and moisture detection. Additionally, augmented reality (AR) apps could provide homeowners with a visual overview of their flooring's condition, along with maintenance tips and the ability to schedule services directly through the app.

Protecting Floors with Smart Moisture Detectors

Smart moisture detectors are invaluable for protecting hardwood floors from potential water damage. Embedded moisture sensors, installed beneath the floorboards, continuously monitor moisture levels and alert homeowners to leaks or rising humidity before significant damage occurs. Alternatively, standalone moisture sensors can be strategically placed in high-risk areas like near windows or exterior doors. These devices can connect to smart home systems, sending real-time alerts to your phone for quick action.

Integration with a central smart home hub enhances the functionality of these detectors. Through this connection, you can monitor moisture levels remotely via your smartphone or voice assistant. Additionally, smart moisture sensors can work in tandem with HVAC systems to automatically adjust indoor humidity or activate dehumidifiers when needed, providing an extra layer of protection for your hardwood floors.

Implementation Tips

When installing smart technologies under hardwood floors, professional installation is highly recommended. This ensures that heating systems and embedded sensors are properly integrated without compromising the flooring’s integrity. Poor installation can lead to long-term damage or reduced system efficiency.

Regular maintenance is equally important to maximize the lifespan of both your hardwood floors and the smart technologies embedded within them. Inspections should be conducted periodically to identify potential issues early and maintain the optimal functionality of the systems.

By integrating smart heating systems, moisture detectors, and cutting-edge technologies, homeowners can enhance the comfort and convenience of their living spaces while preserving the beauty and durability of their hardwood floors.

Upgrading or maintaining hardwood floors doesn't have to be expensive. Regular cleaning and maintenance, such as sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping with a damp mop using hardwood floor cleaner, can prevent scratches and water damage. Consider refinishing by lightly sanding the surface and applying a fresh coat of finish, or using DIY refinishing kits available at home improvement stores to save on costs. Changing the color with a stain can also give your floors a fresh look without the expense of replacement, and this can often be done as a DIY project if you're careful.

Area rugs and runners can protect high-traffic areas, reducing wear and tear while adding style. Look for sales or discounts to find affordable options. For minor damage, scratch repair kits and wood fillers can help you fill in scratches and dents, making your floors look newer. Polishing your floors with commercial wood floor polish can restore their shine and should be part of your regular maintenance routine.

If your floors are beyond simple repairs, painting them can offer a modern and unique look. Using stencils to create patterns can add a custom touch. Regularly check for and fill gaps between floorboards, using wood filler or caulk, to prevent further damage. For major repairs or refinishing jobs, hiring a professional can be more cost-effective in the long run, ensuring a high-quality finish and avoiding mistakes. By following these cost-effective strategies, you can keep your hardwood floors looking beautiful without spending a fortune. Regular maintenance and smart upgrades will ensure your floors remain a stunning feature in your home for years to come.