We're installing a site-finished solid hardwood floor.

Two different flooring installers have said that I cannot specify a brand/specific mill for my unfinished flooring (like Shamrock or Mullican or whatever).

They say their distributors carry multiple brands (makes sense to me), and that they only find out which manufacturer it's coming from when they place the order at the distributor and the distributor tells them (that's the part I don't get).

As far as they're concerned, all I need to know is that the floor meets NOFMA/NWFA standards.

Are they right? Or is it reasonable to expect to be able to specify a particular brand of unfinished flooring?

Would appreciate any thoughts or advice on this question.

Sam

Sure you can. I'd go to someone else. You can specify brand, species, grade, length, width....

Right, I've specified 2-1/4 select/better red oak.

My current (water-damaged) floor is a mix of lengths, including quite a few 4' - 6'.

Can you tell me more about specifying length? Until you mentioned it, that hadn't come up as something I should consider specifying.

Many thanks!

By specifying grade you are also indirectly specifying length,( to a small extent, pardon the pun). Example- #1 & #2 common will have a large number of shorts, whereas "Select" will have a greater number of lengths, mixed with the shorts. That being said.. Lengths were more abundant in the "Select" grade of years ago.

Yes as Howard says, you can also order more than you need and go through it if you want more longer lengths. Lots of small mills around the country will actually send you what you want, but at a premium price. You can order direct from lots of them.

Thanks, y'all, that makes perfect sense.

I'm OK with the standard mix of lengths represented in the Select grade.

Two of my quotes are "probably Maxwell" (it was like pulling teeth to find out).

Another one said straight out that he only uses Northwood.

And the other said it would be one of these: Taylor, Mullican, Shamrock or Northwood.

Any advice or observations on these specific brands?

I'm not luvin Mullican right now but maybe their select is better than the standard grade, One would only hope.

Isin't Northwood sold out of HD? I'd stear away from any manufacturer who sells to HD. No clue about the others.

If there's anyone that knows unfinished top to bottom it's Kevin.

Well I cant say much of Northwood never heard of them, thats not to say its not a good mill, just odd Ive never heard of them at all. Of the others that have been listed they are all have there good and bad days, I wouldnt be scared of any of the others they are all repeatable and will certainly take care of your for a long time to come. Its up to the installer to make the judgment call once its received. Most distributors carry different manufactures at different price points which usually is within 10 cents of each other. What I would say is to ask if the installer or his distributor which brand is the cleanest with out too many shorts and be ready to pay an extra dime if necessary. Distributors like to buy deals, ask them if they have any promos going or anything they want to move that might also save you a buck.

The northwood is a nice mill good lengths, grading and appearance. It is all northern grown and tends to be a little toward the brown and tan side of things, it makes a really nice floor and is good to work with.. If you are matching to an existing floor and keeping some of the old you will want to determine if the mills flooring will be similar in color and grain.

We purchase unfinished oak flooring from a distributor in our area (SE Michigan) that is milled by North Wood Flooring LLC of Coleman Wisconsin. North Wood has been in business since 2004, and it's nice stuff. "Northwood" could be a fairly common name. I see that Tarkett has a prefinished product they call Northwood.

Ah, I think Tarkett Northwood is the Home Depot product...

What brand were you trying to specify to your contractor ?

I have two quotes for Maxwell.

Another contractor says he uses only Northwood.

And the fourth said it would be one of these: Taylor, Mullican, Shamrock or Northwood.

Since those seem to be my readily-available choices, I'd like input on any of them.

Thanks.

I'm in Connecticut and don't see these brands. I wish I could give you more specific advice but in general, most unfinished wood being supplied today is only okay and not great . Most brands install well but have lots of imperfections when it comes to sanding and finish. Some of the imperfections I constantly see are poorly milled ends that are not square as well as ends that get chunked out when planed . By chunked out , I mean the boards are thin on the end and will sit low against the butt of the next board.

In the end, most installers wont have problems but sanding and finishing becomes tricky in that I have to use my edger to sand down many butt joints so that my hummel sander does not ramp up over them and create waves in the floor. I also have to do a lot of filling compared to other woods

The only two brands I use here in Connecticut that always have excellent milling are Cumberland which mills in line with Nofma specifications and Ten Oaks .Ten Oaks also offers their flooring dipped in a sealing oil that works great .It's called "Sealed Six Sides"

Also, I have installed and sanded some "Miller" unfinished flooring from Home Depot.And it wasn't any worse than any of the other brands I see around here like Barefoot or Mullican.