Flooring Buyer’s Guide
Whether you already have a clear idea in your mind, or are starting at square one, this step-by-step guide will let you what Schafer offers and how to narrow down your options.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us for unlisted species, custom colors, or unique requests.
All options available for our Vista and Strata lines.
Step 1: Choose a Color Family
It’s tempting to start with a specific stain or species. Instead, start with a color family to start narrowing down your preferences, then get specific samples later to hone in on the perfect hue for your space.
Light and airy
At home with modern, coastal, or Scandinavian styles, lighter planks make a room feel bright and breezy. A lighter palette also has the advantage of opening up smaller rooms.
Warm and natural
Classic and welcoming, mid-tones work well in open-concept homes and main-level spaces. These colors complement most cabinet and trim colors.
Rich and dark
Darker hues invite bold sophistication and strong contrasts to an interior. They pair well with lighter walls and plenty of natural light.
Step 2: Decide on Width
We specialize in wide and ultra-wide planks, which deliver a sophisticated and calm visual. Wider planks give you fewer seams, shows off more of the wood’s natural grain, and is a distinctly modern option.
Standard
Solid hardwood from 3-7”
3 Inch
4 Inch
Wide
Engineered hardwood from 5-8”
6 Inch
6.5 Inch
7 Inch
Ultra-Wide
Engineered hardwood from 8-12+”
12 Inch
8 Inch
10 Inch
Shown below: 9-inch planks in Hickory anchor the floor of this open concept kitchen.
Step 3: Select Species, Grade, and Cut
Each species has it’s own personality, with different coloring, grain, and hardness. Refine the character of your hardwood floors even more by choosing the grade and cut of your chosen species.
Standard Species
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Ash
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Naturally Light Color
Creamy white sapwood with tan-to-honey heartwood.Dynamic Grain
Straight, bold grain punctuated by occasional swirls delivers visual energy and disguises everyday wear.Elastic Strength
Ash’s unique combination of density and “give” absorbs impact so floors feel firm yet forgiving underfoot. -
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Red Oak
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Warm Tones
Subtle pinkish sapwood and reddish-brown heartwood.Open Grain
Straight grain with coarse texture adds visual movement and disguises everyday wear.Industry-Standard Toughness
Red Oak balances dent resistance with comfortable underfoot feel. -
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Hard Maple
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Creamy White Palette
Nearly white sapwood with a hint of warmth.Fine, Subtle Grain
Uniform texture creates a sleek, contemporary canvas that pairs seamlessly with minimalist design.High Wear Resistance
The species of choice for basketball courts stands up to kids, pets, and heavy foot traffic. -
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Hickory
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Striking Color Variation
Creamy sapwood streaked with warm brown heartwood.Bold Grain
Straight-to-wavy grain and prominent texture create an authentically rustic surface that hides everyday scuffs.North American Toughness
Hickory tops domestic species for dent resistance, making it perfect for whatever life throws at it. -
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White Oak
$$$
Neutral Palette
A soft wheat-to-honey base accepts virtually any stain.Coarse, Straight Grain
Pronounced grain masks everyday scuffs and brings natural texture to minimalist or rustic schemes.Balanced Durability
White Oak resists dents while remaining comfortable underfoot. -
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Walnut
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Chocolate-Brown Heartwood
Naturally rich color paired with creamy sapwood.Elegant Grain
Straight to curly variation and natural shimmer create depth that complements modern and traditional styles.Comfortable Hardness
Walnut resists daily dents yet feels quieter and warmer than harder exotics.
Image: White Oak planks in Seagrass, with matching walls, ceiling, and stair treads.
Image: Hickory Calico planks, Refined Grade
Dial-in the Grade
Heritage
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Prominent knots, rich color variations, and natural imperfections.
Legacy
$$
Light knots, natural streaks, and gentle variations in color.
Essence
$$$
Subtle variations in grain, color, and occasional small knots.
Refined
$$$$
Minimal knots and imperfections.
Image: Plain Sawn Hickory Calico, Legacy Grade
Select the Cut
Plain Sawn
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Classic and natural. Sweeping, wavy lines of traditional hardwood.
Live Sawn
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Balanced and versatile. A harmonious mix of grain patterns and textures.
Rift
$$$
Crisp and contemporary. Straight, linear grain, and exceptional stability.
Rift & Quartered
$$$$
Elegant and unique. Clean, straight grain with distinctive flecking.
Step 4: Opt For A Unique Pattern
Our stable engineered hardwoods are a perfect fit for parquet styles like Chevron or Herringbone. Additional styles are available by request.
Herringbone
Chevron
Step 5: Choose a Finish
We offer two matte options for pre-finishing your floor. Both are great choices, with some distinct differences.
Natural Oil
Used for generations, natural oil is a plant-based option that penetrates into the wood and hardens over time. It gives the hardwoods a natural feel and look.
While less durable than our UV oil, it makes for easy spot touch ups and scratch repairs.
UV Oil
A newer option, UV oil starts with a plant base, but is made to cure very quickly under UV light, creating a hard coating. It keeps the natural look while giving a smooth, durable feel.
More durable than natural oil, repairs (though you’ll less of them) can require sanding or even refinishing.
Step 6: Order Samples
The final step is to see your favorites in the actual space they’ll live in. Pick 2-3 samples in the color family you’re drawn to from the species you’ve chosen.
Standard Samples
Request any three of our standard samples and get them delivered to your door at no cost.
Custom Sample Order
Looking for a unique species, a rare finish, or a more tailored selection of samples? Upgrade to our custom sample box.
Frequently Asked Questions
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There’s no single “best” width, but wide and ultra-wide planks are a great fit for most modern homes. Wide planks create fewer seams and a calmer look, and they can make both open spaces and smaller rooms feel more expansive. If you’re unsure, we can recommend a width based on your room size and layout.
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Yes. In many cases, wider boards actually make smaller rooms feel larger because there’s less visual interruption. The key is to run the planks in the direction that follows the longest sightline in the room or the natural flow of the home.
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Start with what you already own or have picked out. Look at your cabinets, trim, and furniture and decide whether you want contrast or harmony. Light floors brighten rooms and hide dust better. Mid-tones are the most flexible. Dark tones create drama but work best in spaces with good light.
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Yes. Species influences natural tone, grain character, and hardness. Even if two options look similar in a photo, they may behave differently in terms of movement, dent resistance, and how they take stain and finish. Schafer focuses on species that balance beauty and stability, so you’re choosing between good options rather than starting from scratch.
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Engineered hardwood is usually a better choice than solid hardwood over concrete or below grade because it’s more dimensionally stable. Always follow product-specific installation instructions, and make sure moisture conditions are properly managed.
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Generally, matte finishes are the most forgiving. Light to mid-tone colors with subtle texture do the best job of hiding everyday wear, pet hair, and minor imperfections.