Hey! I'm about to purchase some flooring, but have a hard time finding reviews for the Shaw Floor product I'm looking into. It's the Estate Hickory line, in the Ginger or Warm Sunset color. I'm trying to choose between these because they're GreenGuard Gold certified, the highest indoor air quality standard to date. I think the wear layer on these is about 1.8mm, so not the very best, but we're a younger couple doing a remodel and need 900 sq. ft. Needless to say, we want something durable but we can't break the bank for this project. Does anyone have this installed in their home, who would like to share your review and/or pictures? Thank you in advance!

If you are going to drop stuff on a wood floor and expect it not to dent, you should either get a harder wood, a textured wood that doesn't show dents as readily, or get something that's not wood. If you're getting a wood floor and expect it not to scratch, get something else. I've been doing Mirage for maybe 15 years and have no problems with the quality of their products. My major complaints would be that long ago they had quite a lot of short boards and their smooth products are so smooth that the look a bit fake and show dents and scratches more readily.

Choosing the right flooring type isn't enough for your living condition. You will have to consider the types of cut: flat sawn, rift and quarter sawn, quarter sawn or live sawn. Quarter sawn and rift & quarter sawn will be best choices, because expansion and contraction is along the thickness of the wood. You will need climate control all year round. 70 degrees at 40 % relative humidity is where you want to be throughout the year. The use of a humidifier/dehumidifier will be needed year round. Although, engineered flooring is more stable than solid. Using the wrong wood specie in your living condition can run the risk of de-laminating with engineered wood. If, the top veneer is more or less stable than it's core and backing. You will experience de-laminating in extreme humidity swings. Take in account of what the engineered flooring is constructed of: mdf or plywood. The width of the flooring will account for how much expansion and contracting also. 2 1/4" strips are the most stable. As you go wider, expect to see more wider seasonal gaps. Proper acclimating is critical, should be performed with a moisture meter. For 2 1/4" strip flooring , sub-floor and flooring moisture should be within 4%. For all other widths 2% moisture differentiation is allowed or should not be exceeded. Don't forget proper expansion gaps, which is the thickness of your flooring, example: 3/4" thick = 3/4" gap. Sub-floor type and condition will affect the performance of wood floors. All this needs to be considered for the proper and successful performance of your wood floors.

Du Chateau is the worst! My floors were damaged even before we moved in. All the nosing had a softer finish on it. They have to WORST customer service and do not stand by their product. When I called customer service, they actually told me I should have picked a different wood. They offered no remedy except "check your warranty". Unbelievable!