The right choice depends on the room, your subfloor, moisture, traffic, design preferences and how you want the floor to perform. Ralph’s offers site-finished hardwood, prefinished hardwood, engineered hardwood and luxury vinyl flooring. We can help you compare the options and find the best fit for your home and lifestyle.

Read what to expect from a flooring design consultation

Site-finished hardwood is installed, sanded, stained and finished in your home. It offers greater customization and a smooth, seamless appearance. Prefinished hardwood arrives ready to install, providing faster installation, less disruption and a wide selection of colours and textures. Both are excellent options, depending on your priorities.

Read more about site-finished hardwood
Read more about prefinished hardwood

Look for a floor that balances durability with a finish that handles everyday wear gracefully. Harder wood species, textured surfaces, lighter colours and matte finishes can help make scratches and dents less noticeable. Quality luxury vinyl is also worth considering for especially active or moisture-prone spaces.

Read about choosing hardwood for a busy family home

Floors with surface wear, scratches or an outdated colour can often be refinished. You can repair localized damage by replacing individual boards. Replacement may be the better choice when damage is extensive, the floor has become too thin to sand again, or you want to change the species or board width. An in-home assessment will help determine what is possible.

Read when it may be time to replace a hardwood floor

The timeline and preparation depend on the project's size and type. Before work begins, we will explain how to prepare the rooms, when you can return furniture, and how long you may need to stay off the floor. Our dust-containment equipment removes most sanding dust from the home, although some disruption is unavoidable during installation and finishing.

Read what homeowners should know about hardwood installation

Solid hardwood comes from a single piece of wood and can typically be refinished several times. Engineered hardwood has a real hardwood surface supported by layers beneath it, giving it greater stability when humidity changes. Both provide the look and feel of real wood. The right choice depends on where you install the floor and how you want it to perform over time.

Read more about engineered hardwood and solid wood

Hardwood works beautifully in many kitchens when you choose the right product and finish. For basements, concrete subfloors and radiant heating systems, engineered hardwood is often a better fit because it is more stable when moisture and temperature change. Luxury vinyl is another practical option for areas where moisture is a greater concern.

Download Ralph’s Room-by-Room Guide

In many cases, yes. We consider the wood species, board width, thickness, colour, grain and finish of your existing floor. New boards can sometimes be feathered into the original flooring, then sanded and finished together to create a more consistent appearance.

Read how Ralph’s blends new hardwood with existing floors

Cost depends on the flooring material, square footage, subfloor condition, removal of existing flooring, room layout, stairs, transitions and finishing choices. Once we understand your space and selections, we can provide a detailed estimate based on the actual work required.

Read more about budgeting for hardwood flooring

Sweep or vacuum regularly, wipe up spills promptly and use a cleaner recommended for your floor’s finish. Avoid steam mops, excess water and harsh household cleaners. Entrance mats, furniture pads, and consistent indoor humidity will also help protect your floor from scratches, moisture, and seasonal movement.

Download Ralph’s Floor Care Instructions