Article by Andrew D White

Just about everyone would love to have hardwood floors in their home, as this type of flooring breathes comfort and elegance into any ordinary room. It has a way of making rooms appear larger and more consistent and adds value to the home. Its durable construction also makes it last for a lifetime, with no need to replace wood floors as you would with carpeting, vinyl or laminate. What prevents many homeowners from installing hardwood floors is the high cost. Wood itself is rather expensive, especially for quality selections. There is also a great deal of labor that is involved with installing hardwood floors.

An excellent compromise is wholesale hardwood flooring that is sold at discounted, wholesale prices. Manufacturing companies from all over the country have bulk stock of hardwood flooring and customers can view these options online, ordering their raw materials for a much lower cost. To get started with the project, look online and compare prices and products. Unlike carpeting, hardwood flooring manufacturers are happy to share where their wood comes from.

Look for companies that tell their online customers where the wood selections are from, which types of wood the flooring is made from and the level of quality. If the company is vague, skip it, as manufacturers should know where their materials are purchased from. If possible, ask for a sample to be sent to your home so you can determine the class of the product. If the company doesn’t have samples, talk to the customer service representatives to get as much information as possible.

So where do the savings come from when purchasing wholesale hardwood flooring? Manufacturers, many of them located in the southern states such as Georgia and Alabama, are sent truckloads of flooring. This flooring is then available for purchase and many of the customers include big flooring chains that purchase the materials at low cost and sell them to consumers. By taking out the retail chain, which drives up the cost of the materials and labor, you’re able to purchase the flooring at wholesale prices.

Keep in mind that when buying wholesale hardwood flooring, you may need to buy in bulk. This is a heavy shipment, which means that you’ll need to factor in the cost of shipping when determining your overall budget. With a shipment this large, the cost can be more than the materials themselves. If possible, see if you can pick up the flooring from the manufacturer to save on shipping costs. Even if you’re fortunate to have a wholesaler in your area, these companies often have strict guidelines on when you can pick up the materials.

Also note that once you receive the materials, you’ll be responsible for the installation. Fortunately, hardwood floors can be installed by handy do-it-yourselfers. Most hardwood selections require you to remove the subflooring, lay down the wood boards and nail them in. There is a lot of precision involved in the installation process, as the boards need to be laid straight and staggered consistently for an authentic look. Once you have the first few boards positioned properly, you’ll be able to fit the rest of the pieces using a floor nailer to speed up the process.

Not only will you need to factor in the labor when buying wholesale hardwood flooring, but also the type of flooring. For example, some selections come pre-finished, while others come unfinished. Finished boards are what you see in the stores, as they’re already sanded, buffered, stained and coated. Basically, the hard, tedious work is done for you, but this will also drive up the cost of the wood. If you choose to go with unfinished selections, you’ll be responsible for all the sanding and buffering, as well as the stain. However, this is a great option for new homes or renovations where you’re unsure of what color you’d like the end result to be.

Second, you have a choice between solid wood and engineered wood. Solid wood is less popular in today’s’ market because it’s harder to install, refinish and remove. With engineered wood, several layers of veneer are glued on top of the board, making it quite adaptable. For example, you can have the look of birch wood on the top layer of the board, while the actual construction is made from durable oak.

Choosing wholesale hardwood flooring is an excellent idea for handy do-it-yourselfers who want to refresh the look of their home at a modest cost. Although more labor is involved, you’ll love the look of real wood floors that never have to be replaced.

About the Author

Andrew White writes about Prosource Floors out of Seattle. Always looking for the highest quality materials at the best price he tends to end up shopping at http://www.prosourcefloors.com more often than not.

Locking hardwood floors are easy to install and can be installed on any level of your home. These instructions will show you how to install a locking hardwood floor. Remember that a good flooring installation starts with a correctly prepared subfloor. So be sure to watch the subfloor prep videos and download the instructions.