Hardwood Flooring Installation & Refinishing
Premium hardwood floor installation, refinishing, and repair for homes and businesses throughout Maryland and DC.
Why Choose 2020 Flooring for Hardwood Flooring?
From classic solid oak to modern engineered hardwood, we provide expert installation, refinishing, and repair services. Our team works with all hardwood species and finishes to create the perfect floor for your space.
Whether you are choosing new solid hardwood for a traditional look, engineered hardwood for moisture-prone areas, or refinishing existing floors to restore their original beauty, our certified installers bring decades of combined experience to every project. We handle everything from subfloor preparation and material selection to precision installation and custom staining.
Popular Hardwood Species We Install
Oak (Red & White)
The most popular hardwood species in America. Red oak features warm, rosy tones with prominent grain patterns, while white oak offers a cooler, more subtle look with superior moisture resistance. Both are incredibly durable and take stain beautifully.
Maple
A hard, dense wood with a light, creamy color and subtle grain pattern. Maple is one of the hardest domestic species, making it ideal for high-traffic areas. It delivers a clean, contemporary look popular in modern homes.
Walnut
Prized for its rich, dark chocolate tones and flowing grain, walnut is a premium choice that adds warmth and sophistication to any room. It is softer than oak, so it is best suited for bedrooms, dining rooms, and formal living spaces.
Hickory
The hardest domestic wood species, hickory features dramatic color variation ranging from creamy white sapwood to rich brown heartwood. Its rustic character and extreme durability make it perfect for active households with kids and pets.
From our blog
Hardwood Flooring 101: Choosing a Wood Species
Not sure which species fits your lifestyle and budget? Our guide compares oak, walnut, maple, hickory, and more.
Find Your Perfect Hardwood
Compare 20 American hardwood species by hardness, price, availability, and intended use. Data sourced from the American Hardwoods Collection Species Guide.
Hickory / Pecan
Carya spp.
The hardest and heaviest commercially available American hardwood. Dramatic color variation from creamy white sapwood to rich brown heartwood creates a rustic, one-of-a-kind look. Requires pre-boring for nailing.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Pale to reddish brown heartwood; white sapwood tinged with brown
Grain & Texture
Heaviest American hardwood; bold, rustic character with dramatic color variation
Distribution
Eastern U.S.; Central and Southern states
Working Properties
Main Uses
Tool handles, furniture, cabinetry, flooring, wooden ladders, dowels, sporting goods
White Oak
Quercus spp. — ~8 commercial species
Harder and more moisture-resistant than Red Oak thanks to its closed grain structure. The most popular species for contemporary and farmhouse-style flooring. Longer ray flecks create more visual figure.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Light-to-dark brown heartwood; light-colored sapwood; more figure than Red Oak
Grain & Texture
Mostly straight-grained; medium-to-coarse texture; great wear resistance
Distribution
Throughout Eastern U.S.
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, flooring, architectural millwork, moulding, doors, kitchen cabinets, paneling, barrel staves, caskets
Red Oak
Quercus spp. — ~8 commercial species
The most widely used American hardwood species, making up over 30% of all hardwood volume. Warm pinkish-red tones with bold grain character. Excellent value, readily available, and takes stain beautifully.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Pinkish-reddish brown heartwood; white to light brown sapwood
Grain & Texture
Mostly straight-grained; coarse texture; prominent cathedral grain
Distribution
Throughout Eastern U.S. (>30% of all hardwood volume)
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, flooring, architectural millwork, moulding, doors, kitchen cabinets, paneling, caskets
Birch
Betula alleghaniensis
A hard, strong wood that takes stain exceptionally well — often used as a more affordable substitute for cherry or walnut. Fine, uniform texture with occasional curly figure that adds visual interest.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Light reddish brown heartwood; white sapwood
Grain & Texture
Generally straight-grained; fine, uniform texture; plain, often curly or wavy pattern
Distribution
Eastern U.S.; Northern and Lake states
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, millwork, paneling, doors, flooring, kitchen cabinets, turnings, toys
Hard Maple
Acer saccharum / Acer nigrum — Sugar maple, black maple
The gold standard for light-colored hardwood flooring. Exceptional abrasion resistance makes it the go-to for high-traffic areas, gym floors, and bowling alleys. Clean, contemporary look with minimal grain.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Light to dark reddish brown heartwood; creamy white sapwood with slight reddish brown tinge
Grain & Texture
Close, fine texture; generally straight-grained; high abrasion resistance
Distribution
Eastern U.S.; Mid-Atlantic and Lake states
Working Properties
Main Uses
Flooring, furniture, paneling, gym/ballroom floors, kitchen cabinets, worktops, butcher blocks, kitchenware, toys, stairs, handrails
Ash
Fraxinus spp.
A strong, shock-resistant hardwood with bold grain similar to oak but in lighter, more neutral tones. Excellent value for flooring and furniture. Its flexibility makes it ideal for steam bending and sporting equipment.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Grayish or light brown to pale yellow streaked with brown
Grain & Texture
Generally straight-grained; coarse uniform texture
Distribution
Throughout Eastern U.S.
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, flooring, doors, millwork, kitchen cabinets, paneling, tool handles, baseball bats, sporting equipment
Elm
Ulmus rubra
A tough, shock-resistant wood with interlocked grain that makes it nearly impossible to split. Attractive reddish-brown tones work well for furniture and flooring where character and durability matter.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Reddish brown to dark brown heartwood; grayish white to light brown narrow sapwood
Grain & Texture
Straight to often interlocked grain; coarse texture; difficult to split
Distribution
Eastern to Midwest U.S.
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, cabinet making, flooring, millwork, paneling, caskets
Walnut
Juglans nigra
America's premier dark hardwood. Rich chocolate-brown tones with occasional purplish cast — naturally beautiful without staining. Excellent dimensional stability and a silky finish that polishes to a high sheen.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Light brown to dark chocolate brown; occasionally purplish cast; creamy white sapwood
Grain & Texture
Generally straight-grained; sometimes wavy or curly for decorative figure; good dimensional stability
Distribution
Eastern U.S.; principally Central states
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, cabinets, architectural millwork, doors, flooring, paneling, gun stocks; favored for contrast with lighter species
Cherry
Prunus serotina
One of America's most prized cabinet woods. Rich red tones deepen beautifully with age and light exposure, developing a warm patina. Satiny smooth texture machines to an excellent finish without heavy sanding.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Rich red to reddish brown; darkens with age and light exposure; creamy white sapwood
Grain & Texture
Straight-grain; fine, uniform, satiny and smooth texture; may have brown pith flecks
Distribution
Midwestern & Eastern U.S.; principally PA, VA, WV, NY
Working Properties
Main Uses
Fine furniture, cabinet making, moulding, millwork, kitchen cabinets, paneling, flooring, doors, boat interiors, musical instruments
Soft Maple
Acer rubrum / Acer saccharinum — Red maple, silver maple, box elder
A readily available, more affordable alternative to Hard Maple. About 25% softer but still strong enough for most furniture and cabinetry. Finishes beautifully and often sold unselected for color.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Light-to-dark reddish brown heartwood; greyish-white sapwood; may have pith flecks
Grain & Texture
Usually straight-grained; 25% less hard than Hard Maple; good steam-bending
Distribution
Throughout Eastern U.S.
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, paneling, millwork, kitchen cabinets, moulding, doors, musical instruments, turnings
Hackberry
Celtis occidentalis — Sugarberry
An underappreciated hardwood with good shock resistance and steam-bending properties. Fine, uniform texture planes and turns nicely. Best available in cut stock; susceptible to blue staining if not dried properly.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Yellowish grey to light brown with yellow streaks; little sapwood/heartwood contrast
Grain & Texture
Irregular grain, occasionally straight but sometimes interlocked; fine, uniform texture
Distribution
Eastern U.S.
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, kitchen cabinets, millwork, doors, moulding
Gum (Sweetgum)
Liquidambar styraciflua — Redgum, sapgum
An affordable hardwood that mimics walnut beautifully when stained. Reddish-brown heartwood with attractive dark streaks and a fine, uniform texture. Widely available and one of the best-value domestic species.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Reddish brown heartwood with darker streaks; white to light pink sapwood
Grain & Texture
Irregular, usually interlocked grain; produces attractive figure; fine, uniform texture
Distribution
Throughout Southeastern U.S.
Working Properties
Main Uses
Cabinet making, furniture parts, doors, millwork, strips, moulding, turnings, rail ties
Pacific Coast Maple
Acer macrophyllum — Big leaf maple
A West Coast alternative to Hard Maple with a softer, more workable character. Fine grain similar to birch and cherry, with good stability once dried. Excellent for turnings and carved details.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Pale pinkish-brown to almost white; minimal sapwood/heartwood contrast
Grain & Texture
Fine grain similar to birch and cherry; good dimensional stability after drying
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, kitchen cabinets, doors, shutters, moulding, panel stock, turnings, carvings, kitchen utensils
Sycamore
Platanus occidentalis — Buttonwood
A distinctive species with fine, close texture and interlocked grain that resists splitting. Contrasts well with other species in mixed designs. Requires high-speed cutters and care during drying to prevent warping.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Light-to-dark brown heartwood; white to light yellow sapwood
Grain & Texture
Fine, close texture with interlocked grain; resistant to splitting
Distribution
Throughout Eastern U.S.
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, furniture parts (drawer sides), millwork, paneling, moulding, flooring, kitchenware, butcher blocks, toys, fruit crates
Alder
Alnus rubra
The most abundant commercial hardwood of the Pacific Northwest. Uniform texture and excellent machinability make it a go-to for cabinets and furniture. Takes stain and finish beautifully despite its modest hardness.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Light brown with yellow or reddish tinge; almost white when freshly cut
Grain & Texture
Fairly straight-grained; uniform texture; no visible sap/heartwood boundary
Distribution
Pacific Northwest
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, kitchen cabinets, doors, shutters, moulding, turnings, carvings, kitchen utensils
Poplar
Liriodendron tulipifera — Yellow poplar, tulip wood
One of the most widely available and affordable domestic hardwoods. Easy to machine and finishes well with paint, enamel, or stain. Ideal for painted cabinetry and millwork where a smooth surface matters more than hardness.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Pale yellowish-brown to olive green; darkens to brown with light; creamy white sapwood
Grain & Texture
Medium-to-fine texture; straight-grained; versatile and easy to machine
Distribution
Throughout Eastern U.S.
Working Properties
Main Uses
Light construction, furniture, kitchen cabinets, doors, paneling, moulding, millwork, edge-glued panels, turnings, carvings
Cypress
Taxodium distichum — Bald cypress, red cypress, yellow cypress
A naturally rot-resistant wood that excels in exterior applications. Straight grain resists warping, making it a top choice for siding, shutters, and trim. Also used for interior flooring and paneling.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Light to dark reddish brown heartwood; pale yellow-white sapwood
Grain & Texture
Straight-grained; resists warping; technically a softwood but grouped with hardwoods
Distribution
Southern U.S.; Atlantic Coastal Plain, Gulf Coast, Mississippi Valley
Working Properties
Main Uses
Exterior siding, shutters, shingles, trim, fence posts, interior paneling, moulding, millwork, cabinetry, flooring, furniture, beams, columns
Cottonwood
Populus deltoides
A widely available, soft hardwood with a neutral pale tone. Easy to nail, screw, and glue. Best for interior furniture parts, millwork, and painted applications where extreme hardness isn't required.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Pale-to-light brown heartwood; white sapwood with possible brown streaks
Grain & Texture
Generally straight-grained; coarse texture; diffuse, porous wood
Distribution
Eastern U.S.; Middle and Southern states
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture, furniture arts, millwork, moulding, toys, kitchen utensils, Venetian blinds, shutters, caskets
Basswood
Tilia americana — Linden
Considered the premier American carving wood due to its fine, even texture and ease of working. Very soft, so not suitable for flooring, but unmatched for hand-carved details, turnings, and musical instruments.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
Pale to reddish brown; creamy white sapwood — minimal contrast
Grain & Texture
Indistinct, straight grain; fine, uniform texture
Distribution
Northern and Lake states
Working Properties
Main Uses
Carvings, turnings, furniture, pattern-making, moulding, millwork, musical instruments, Venetian blinds, shutters
Aspen
Populus tremuloides — Popple
A very soft, lightweight hardwood with fine uniform texture. Best suited for interior furniture parts and specialty items. Rarely available in thick stock but works well for moulding, frames, and turned goods.
Janka Hardness (lbf)
Heartwood Color
White sapwood blending to light brown heartwood; minimal contrast
Grain & Texture
Straight-grained; fine, uniform texture
Distribution
Northeast U.S.
Working Properties
Main Uses
Furniture parts (drawer sides), doors, moulding, picture frames, millwork, toys, sauna laths, chopsticks
Janka hardness values represent Side Hardness at 12% moisture content (lbf). Data sourced from the American Hardwoods Collection Species Guide and USDA Forest Service Wood Handbook.
Installation Methods
Nail-Down Installation
The traditional method for solid hardwood over wood subfloors. Each plank is blind-nailed through the tongue at an angle for a secure, permanent bond. This method provides the most stable and long-lasting result for solid hardwood flooring.
Floating Installation
Planks click together and float over an underlayment without being attached to the subfloor. This is the preferred method for engineered hardwood, especially over concrete slabs and radiant heat systems. It allows for natural expansion and contraction.
Glue-Down Installation
Each plank is adhered directly to the subfloor with construction adhesive. Ideal for engineered hardwood over concrete or for reducing sound transmission in multi-story buildings. Provides excellent stability and minimal floor height buildup.
Pricing
- Price Range
- $6 – $15per sq ft installed
- Note
- Price varies by wood species, grade, and installation complexity. Free estimates provided.
Ready for Hardwood Floors?
Schedule a free in-home estimate. We bring samples to you so you can see how hardwood looks in your actual space and lighting.
Get a Free QuoteOur Hardwood Flooring Process
From your first call to the final walkthrough, we make hardwood flooring installation simple and stress-free.
Free In-Home Estimate
We measure your space, discuss options, and provide a detailed quote
1 hourMaterial Selection
Choose from our curated selection of hardwood species, grades, and finishes
1-2 daysSubfloor Preparation
Ensure proper moisture levels and subfloor condition for optimal results
1 dayInstallation
Professional installation by our certified flooring technicians
2-5 daysFinishing & Inspection
Final sanding, staining, and coating with quality inspection walkthrough
1-2 daysHardwood Flooring FAQs
How long does hardwood floor installation take?
Most residential hardwood installations take 2-5 days depending on square footage and complexity. Refinishing typically adds 2-3 days for curing.
What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood?
Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood and can be refinished many times. Engineered hardwood has a real wood veneer over plywood layers, offering better moisture resistance and stability.
Do you offer dustless sanding?
Yes, we use HEPA-filtered dustless sanding systems that capture 99% of dust during the refinishing process.
Get a Free Hardwood Flooring Estimate
We bring hardwood samples directly to your home so you can see the colors, grains, and textures in your own lighting. No obligation, no pressure.
Explore Our Flooring Services
Free In-Home Estimate
Our experts come to you with samples, measurements, and a detailed quote at no cost.
Schedule Estimate