LOS ANGELES SHOWROOM
Flooring 101
Los Angeles
FLOORING 101
The Beauty of Wide Plank Flooring
Wide plank hardwood flooring is a hardwood floor fashioned from boards that are much wider and longer than traditional floorboards. The widths of a wide plank floor may range from 4” to 20”, and the lengths of each plank may run as long as 16’.
The visual difference is significant. Flooring has hundreds of seams that produce a very busy look and that obscure the personality and grain of the timber. Wide plank flooring, on the other hand, preserves the distinctive grain patterns of the original hardwood and produces a more pleasing, harmonious look that can transform a room.
FLOORING 101
The Benefits of Wide Plank Wood Floors
When compared to standard flooring, wide plank wood flooring provides:
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A stunning design feature. Rather than simply serving as a flooring surface, wide plank floors become a central design element in a space, lending greater elegance and visual interest to any room.
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A less “busy” look. With far fewer seams between boards, wide plank flooring looks less busy and cluttered than standard flooring.
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More durability. Wider, longer planks provide greater stability for floors.
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Easier installation. With fewer boards, the installation process for a wide plank floor may be quicker than with standard flooring.
Types of Hardwood
Carlisle wide plank hardwood flooring for Chicago and the surrounding areas’ homes and businesses may be created from a variety of wood species.
planks feature hues that run from cream to light blonde and rich nutty brown. This hardwood is highly dense and has a meandering grain.
has a dramatic beauty created by blonde outer edges and warm amber portions. The grain pattern ranges from highly figured flames to subtle swirls with hues in blonde, warm amber, and rich reddish-brown.
has clear, hard-flowing grain with occasional swirls. The colors feature rich brown streaks and striking variations.
has a burnished auburn color with subtle but distinctive flowing grain patterns. Over time, the deep red tones in a cherry plank will mature into a rich, burnished auburn color.
boasts beautiful knots, smooth grain, and versatile finish capabilities. As one of America’s most time-honored wood species for wide plank, you’ll find Eastern White Pine in everything from early American colonial homes to contemporary urban lofts.
has a warm patina with rich colors that run from amber and pumpkin to darker, more modern hues.
is one of the most durable hardwood floors available, with a tensile strength that rivals steel. Interesting grain patterns and hues that range from lighter blonde in the sapwood to cocoa brown and beige in the heartwood make Hickory floors just as handsome as they are tough.
is an extremely popular wood with pinkish, salmon tones. It offers tight, consistent grain patterns and comes in exceptional widths and lengths.
is prized for its sumptuous chocolate hues, distinctive grain, and gorgeous color variations. Walnut creates a spectacular floor with or without stain.
has a dramatic grain personality that runs from intricate, vibrant swirls to sleek and simple patterns with nutty brown hues. The dense fibers of this wood make it a highly durable floor with a versatile look that works for casual, formal, or contemporary designs.
is cut at a 90° angle from a log’s growth rings to produce boards with uniform, vertical patterns and tight, straight parallel lines. This wood choice radiates elegance and traditional beauty.
offers striking grain patterns that look like flowing water. The wood has cleaner and lighter hues with a more neutral finish.
Reclaimed Wide Plank Flooring
For a one-of-a-kind look that reflects Los Angeles style and sustainability, reclaimed wood flooring is a standout choice. Sourced from historic barns, factories, and buildings across the country, these wide plank floors carry the natural character and patina earned over decades of use. Whether you're designing a coastal retreat in Malibu or a modern space in Silver Lake, reclaimed timbers offer rich texture, sun-washed tones, and a timeless story that adds depth and warmth to any home or commercial space.
Learn About Wood Grades
In hardwood flooring, a grade refers to the quality and appearance of the wood. This includes characteristics like the number and size of knots, the variation in color, and the presence of other natural features. Carlisle’s proprietary wood flooring grades are of equal quality, stability, and performance. This allows you to choose the grade that will work best for the look you want without worrying that your choice will compromise quality or stability.
These planks are hand-selected by Carlisle craftsmen to reveal more of the natural character from the tree such as color and grain variation, knots, and other character that give a floor a more relaxed and rustic look.
Original Grade
This grade delivers a refined, high-end look that fits seamlessly into upscale Los Angeles interiors. Planks are selected for minimal variation and fewer, smaller knots—creating a clean, elegant appearance. Perfect for contemporary homes in Beverly Hills, minimalist spaces in Brentwood, or coastal estates in Pacific Palisades, this flooring grade offers a polished finish that elevates any room.
Heirloom Grade
This grade combines the best of Original and Heirloom characteristics for a wide plank floor that truly “tells the story” of the tree from which the planks were made. Signature Grade is reminiscent of the floors of our forefathers, when nothing went to waste and the entire tree was used.
Signature Grade
FLOORING 101
Width and Lenght
In Los Angeles homes where design makes a statement, wide plank flooring delivers striking visual impact. Carlisle floorboards can reach widths up to 20 inches, though most average between 7” and 8”. Lengths can span up to 16 feet, with typical lengths around 7’ for standard hardwoods and 11’ for wider planks. For an organic, laid-back aesthetic that suits everything from Venice bungalows to Topanga retreats, random widths bring natural variation and charm. Prefer a more streamlined, architectural feel? Uniform plank widths offer a clean, modern look perfect for contemporary LA interiors.
FLOORING 101
Structure: Solid vs Engineered Wood
When selecting Carlisle hardwood flooring in Los Angeles, you can choose between solid hardwood and engineered wood options—both crafted for beauty and longevity. Solid planks are cut directly from premium timber, while engineered flooring features a hardwood veneer over multiple layers of backing for added stability. Engineered wood is especially well-suited for LA homes with concrete subfloors, radiant heating, or shifting coastal humidity. Whether you're outfitting a hillside home in the Hollywood Hills or a modern loft downtown, both formats offer lasting durability and can be refinished over time to maintain their elegance.
Site Finished vs Prefinished Floors
FLOORING 101
Site Finished
Finishing a floor is the process of sanding the wood, applying stains, and sealing it with treatments that help to protect the floor over time. This process can either take place on site, or the boards can be prefinished at our factory before being shipped to your home or business. Traditionally, prefinished hardwood flooring looked cheap and felt inferior to floors finished on site. However, Carlisle has developed a finishing process that makes prefinished floors virtually indistinguishable from site-finished surfaces.
FLOORING 101
Prefinished
Prefinishing your floor offers several benefits. Installing a prefinished floor means there is no mess from sanding and no odors from stains and sealants. You won’t have to vacate the premises for several days to allow it to dry. Installation will be faster, and a prefinished floor can be treated with stronger sealants that offer additional protection, which is not available during on-site installation.