Frequently Asked Questions

The biggest difference comes down to construction and performance. Solid hardwood is made from a single piece of wood, while engineered hardwood is built in layers with a real wood surface on top. This layered design gives engineered flooring greater stability, making it easier to install and often more cost-effective.

Engineered hardwood also performs better in areas with moisture or temperature changes, such as basements, over concrete slabs, or above radiant heat systems. No real wood floor should sit in standing water, and our floors are not designed for outdoor use, but engineered hardwood handles humidity much better than solid wood when properly installed.

Solid hardwood, on the other hand, is best suited for above-grade, climate-controlled spaces. It can warp or buckle in high-moisture environments, which is why it’s generally not recommended for basements or below-grade installations.

In short: engineered hardwood offers greater versatility and stability, while solid hardwood delivers traditional appeal in the right environments.

At ADM, we offer both UV oil and lacquer finishes. These finishes are cured under ultraviolet light, sealing them instantly. Both oil and lacquer stain and protect hardwood, but in very different ways.

Lacquer works like a modern varnish, sitting on top of the wood to form a sealed protective layer. It offers excellent resistance to spills, stains, and everyday wear, making it a strong choice for busy homes and high-traffic areas. Because the finish remains on the surface, scratches and scuffs can be more noticeable, but maintenance is minimal. Refinishing is typically needed every 5–10 years, depending on use.

Oil, on the other hand, penetrates into the wood fibers rather than sitting on top. This enhances the natural grain and texture while providing protection from within. Oiled floors have a softer, matte appearance and tend to hide small scratches better, but they do require more regular care. Refreshing the oil finish every few months helps maintain protection and appearance, though spot repairs are easier and usually don’t require sanding the entire floor.

Choosing a finish depends on your priorities. Choose lacquer if you want a durable, low-maintenance surface. Choose oil if you prefer a more natural look and don’t mind light ongoing care to keep your floors looking their best.

While some experts say engineered hardwood doesn’t require acclimation because of its plywood core, it’s still best practice to let the flooring adjust to your home’s environment before installation. This helps ensure long-term performance and stability.

A simple way to acclimate your floors is to open the ends of each box and allow air to circulate for about 3–5 days. Using a moisture meter in your home can help determine if more time is needed, as higher humidity levels may require longer acclimation.

With the right care and finish, engineered hardwood can work beautifully in kitchens and even some bathrooms. We typically do not recommend installing hardwood in bathrooms with tubs or showers, where standing water and heavy moisture are common.

UV lacquer finishes provide excellent surface protection and are well suited for kitchens and busy households. Over time, high-use areas such as in front of sinks, stoves, and refrigerators may experience wear, so using small mats or rugs in these spots is a smart preventative measure.

Oil-finished floors offer a more natural look and are easier to spot-repair if localized damage occurs. Light sanding and re-oiling can restore worn areas without refinishing the entire floor, making oil finishes a popular choice for kitchens where spills are cleaned up quickly.

Regardless of finish, wipe spills immediately, sweep or vacuum regularly, and clean occasionally with a damp cloth. Avoid waxes, polishes, abrasive cleaners, and oil-based sprays. Using manufacturer-recommended products, such as WOCA cleaners, will help protect your floors and extend their lifespan.

Yes — engineered hardwood is the best wood flooring option for radiant heat systems. Unlike solid hardwood, which can swell or warp with temperature and moisture changes, engineered flooring’s multi-ply construction provides greater stability and resistance to movement.

While hardwood is typically glued or nailed, engineered floors can be installed as a floating system. Planks are connected with tongue and groove, rather than attached to the subfloor. This makes them especially compatible with radiant heat tubing beneath the surface, while still delivering the beauty of real wood.

Proper care is essential to keep your hardwood floors looking beautiful and natural. Always follow the specific cleaning and care instructions for your flooring. You'll find these instructions on each product page and on our Instructions & Warranty page. We also offer WOCA brand care and maintenance products to help protect and preserve your floors.

A few tips:
For engineered hardwood flooring, it’s important to remove dust and debris regularly by sweeping or vacuuming with a soft-bristle attachment to prevent scratches. Clean with a damp, not wet, microfiber mop using cleaners made specifically for engineered hardwood, and wipe up spills immediately to avoid stains or moisture damage. Protect high-traffic areas with area rugs and felt pads under furniture legs, and avoid using steam cleaners or harsh chemicals, which can warp or dull the finish.

This depends primarily on two factors: the thickness of the wear layer and the refinishing process itself. On average, about 0.75–1 mm of wood is removed each time a floor is sanded and refinished.

That means an engineered floor with a 4 mm wear layer can typically be refinished two to three times when done properly. Floors with thinner wear layers may only be refinished once, or not at all.

It’s also important to note that textured floors like ADM's — wire-brushed, hand-scraped, or sawn — may lose some of their surface character during refinishing. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to review expectations and outcomes with your contractor before starting the process.

Each of our colors is unique, although you may find similar shades or tones across our collections. We stock a wide variety of sizes and colors to help you find the right options, and some of our most popular colors — like Vintage Beige — may be available in two sizes. We also offer unfinished wood in multiple sizes and grades for maximum customization.

If you love a color but don’t see the size or wood species you’re looking for, contact us. Our design professionals are always happy to help recommend the best flooring option for your space.

“Waste” refers to the pieces of flooring that are cut or discarded during installation and won’t be part of the finished floor. This is a normal part of any project and should be considered when placing your order.

Waste can occur for several reasons, including the installer’s experience, the installation method, or selecting around knots or grain patterns in the wood. To account for this, we recommend ordering extra material: 10–12% for most projects. For simple, rectangular rooms, you can get away with as little as 7%. For spaces with unusual cuts or if you want to be selective with your planks, we recommend upping the amount to 15%.

We offer herringbone and chevron options for most of our flooring, but we can also bring your custom design to life. For more information, please message our flooring experts or give us a call at 1-888-729-6781. Our offices are open 8am-4pm PT, Monday – Friday.

We do not provide installation services. However, our flooring experts are happy to answer your questions and offer recommendations whenever possible. If you’re in the Los Angeles area, we may be able to suggest a trusted installer.

Yes! At ADM Flooring, we manufacture and distribute our products directly, allowing us to offer highly competitive pricing and even more savings through ongoing promotions.

Ongoing discounts include free shipping on orders of 500 sq.ft. or more, $0.10 off each sq.ft. for local pickup, and 5% off for California residents. All discounts are applied automatically at checkout, and no promo code is needed. One discount applies per order, with the greatest savings taking priority.

Head to our Promotions page for more information, and watch for seasonal sales like Black Friday/Cyber Monday.