The elegant look of a hardwood floor can add warmth and character to any room in a home. The natural characteristics of wood add depth and a visual appearance that many other types of floors try to duplicate. As the consumer demand for hardwood floors has grown so has the manufacturer's ability to produce better quality finishes and superior construction techniques. With these advancements wood floors can now be installed throughout the home and over a wide variety of subfloors.

The National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association, Inc. is the official source of specifications, technical data, installation guidelines, manufacturing and grading rules for hardwood flooring. The NOFMA trademark on flooring produced by members is your assurance of quality. Take a few minutes and visit this excellent web site before choosing your new hardwood floor.

The Hardwood Council is your source for information about 21 species of American hardwoods, their finishes, and applications. Preview the look you want long before the wood has been ordered and delivered to the job site. An additional section illustrates the differences between hardwood lumber grades. A third section on Tips & Techniques give specifiers and building professionals a wealth of technical information about the selection, installation and care of hardwood products.