I am ready to install about 1,600 Sq. Ft. of 3/4inch hardwood flooring. I have decided on pre-finished red Oak but confused on the quality and manufacturer to choose. I want a good quality floor so one sales representative would only steer me toward the higher priced Mirage Flooring, another sales rep. tells me ¾ inch flooring is basically the same and a company like Bruce will give me the same quality at a cheaper price.

I am looking for a “select” grained wood.
• As professionals what manufacturer would you suggest?
• What manufacturer have you found in a pre-finished products is the best bang for the buck?

This will be 1,600 Sq. Ft. of a good quality, ¾ Inch, Pre-Finished, Red Oak, for a 1920’s bungalow in Alexandria, VA.

Thanks for your help

There are quite a few good quality solid hardwoods out there. Aside of Mirage who offers impeccable quality one option is Sheoga, who apparently sells to the public. Major benefit here is longer overall lengths, but they only offer two grades.

Clear and character

http://www.sheogaflooring.com/flooring/ ... ?species=4

I'm sure you'll get other ideas from the guys.

I've heard that Lauzon makes a nice product. All I ever get hired to install is builder grade products, so I have no first hand experience with Mirage or products at that price point.

IMHO the best bang for your buck is Mullican.
Also an added incentive... The 3/4 is Manuf. in the U.S.

I have had good luck with Somerset wood products. They are manufactured in KY and look/perform just as good as Bruce.

Well certainly MIRAGE is a top notch product, other than an abundance of shorter pieces.
There are many other brands out there just as nice, some with different attributes, but I am somewhat amused by the sales rep's comment about all 3/4 inch flooring being the same. Are all cars the same? No, and that is why there are price differences between various cars the same as price differences between different 3/4 inch floors.
Depending on your location, (just checked, you are in Virginia) so there are lots of reasonably local manufacturers to choose from.

would have said junkers wide board for long lengths, or tarkett pro for the same. just forget that this is for mainly north America and I'm in Europe.

There are several very good high-end 3/4" solid oak manufacturers, some have been mentioned above. Like anything else you buy you get what you pay for in pre-finished hardwood flooring. With the drastic slow down in the economy you should be able to find some great deals right now, even on the better grade floors.

The store where the salesperson mentioned all 3/4" solid oak flooring is the same, I would stay away from.