Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring adds warmth, character, and lasting value to a home. It is one of the oldest and most trusted flooring choices in residential construction, and for good reason. At Carpet Barn, we carry solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and prefinished options from manufacturers with strong track records for quality and consistency. We have been helping Central PA homeowners select and install hardwood since 1974, . Our team understands the product well enough to give you straight answers about what will work in your home.
Stop by our New Cumberland showroom to see hardwood samples in person. Feel the difference between species and finishes, compare prefinished options, and talk through the right product with someone who has done this for decades.
Types of Hardwood Flooring We Carry
Hardwood comes in several formats, each with different performance characteristics and installation requirements. Here is a plain-language breakdown of what we carry:
Solid Hardwood
Solid hardwood comes from a single piece of wood, typically three-quarters of an inch thick. It is the traditional choice for living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms on above-grade or on-grade installations. The main advantage of solid hardwood is longevity. A properly installed solid hardwood floor can be sanded and refinished multiple times over decades. Many homeowners treat it as a long-term investment in their home.
Solid hardwood is sensitive to moisture and should not go below grade. It also requires a wood or plywood subfloor for nail-down or staple-down installation. If your project involves a basement or a concrete subfloor, engineered hardwood is the better fit.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood has a real wood veneer on top bonded to multiple layers of cross-ply plywood or HDF core below. This construction makes it more dimensionally stable than solid hardwood, meaning it handles humidity and temperature changes without expanding or contracting as dramatically. It can go below grade, on grade, or above grade, making it a more versatile choice across the home.
Engineered hardwood can float, be glued down, or be nailed and stapled depending on the product and the subfloor. Most engineered products can be refinished at least once, and thicker products allow for multiple refinishes over time.
Prefinished Hardwood
Prefinished hardwood arrives from the manufacturer with its stain and finish already applied. No drying time after installation, no odor from on-site finishing products, and a more consistent finish across every board. Most of the hardwood we carry comes prefinished from the manufacturer. It is the practical choice for occupied homes where waiting days for finish to cure is not realistic.
Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood: A Quick Comparison
This is the question we hear most often from customers shopping for hardwood. Here is a side-by-side look at the key differences:
| Solid Hardwood | Engineered Hardwood | |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | One solid piece of wood | Real wood veneer over layered core |
| Thickness | Typically 3/4 inch | 3/8 to 3/4 inch depending on product |
| Where It Can Go | Above grade and on grade only | Above, on, and below grade |
| Moisture Tolerance | Low. Keep away from wet or humid areas | Better handles humidity changes well |
| Install Methods | Nail-down or staple-down | Nail, staple, glue-down, or floating |
| Refinishing | Yes, multiple times over its life | Yes, at least once (more for thicker products) |
| Best Rooms | Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms | Basements, kitchens, whole-home installs |
Not sure which format is right for your project? Stop by the showroom or give us a call. We will look at the room, the subfloor, and your budget and point you in the right direction.
Species, Widths, and Finishes
Beyond solid versus engineered, hardwood comes in a wide range of species, plank widths, and finish options. Here is what those choices mean for the look and feel of your floor:
Wood Species
The species determines the grain pattern, color, and hardness of the floor. Oak is the most popular choice in Central PA homes for its durability and natural grain variation. Maple, hickory, and cherry offer different visual characters. Ask us which species make the most sense for your traffic level and design goals.
Plank Width
Narrow planks (2 to 3 inches) give a traditional, formal look. Wider planks (5 inches and up) have a more open, contemporary feel and show off grain patterns more prominently. Wider planks are increasingly popular in open floor plan homes.
Finish Type
Prefinished hardwood comes with a factory-applied aluminum oxide finish that is harder and more durable than most site-applied finishes. Site-finished hardwood allows for more custom color choices but requires drying time after installation.
Stain and Color
Natural finishes showcase the wood’s original color. Stained options range from light whitewashed looks to rich dark tones. Wire-brushed and hand-scraped textures add visual depth and help disguise everyday scratches in high-traffic areas.
Hardwood Brands We Carry
Every brand in our hardwood lineup has earned its place through consistent milling quality, realistic grain patterns, and honest warranty programs:
| Brand | What We Carry |
|---|---|
| Bruce | One of the most recognized hardwood brands in North America. A wide range of solid and engineered hardwood in dozens of species, stains, and widths. Strong warranty coverage across the product line. A reliable choice at multiple price points. |
| Mullican | A family-owned hardwood manufacturer known for precise milling and consistent grading. Solid and engineered options in a range of widths and species. A good choice for homeowners who want quality without paying premium brand markup. |
| Mirage | A premium Canadian hardwood brand with a reputation for tight tolerances and exceptional grain clarity. One of the top choices for customers who want the best-looking hardwood floor available. |
| Homer Wood | Crafted in smaller batches with an emphasis on natural character and authentic variation. A strong option for homeowners who want a floor that looks genuinely unique rather than mass-produced. |
| Shawmark Anything Goes | A practical, value-oriented hardwood option for projects where budget is a primary consideration. Reliable construction and a clean finish without the premium price. |
| Engineered Floors | A solid engineered hardwood line with good moisture resistance and a range of contemporary wood-look options. Well-suited for whole-home installs and projects that need consistent performance across multiple rooms. |
Looking for a specific species, width, or stain not listed here? We can special order through our manufacturer network. Call us at 717-938-1609 and we will track it down.
A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Buy Hardwood
Hardwood is a more involved purchase than carpet or vinyl. A little knowledge upfront saves a lot of frustration later. Here are the things we walk every hardwood customer through before they commit:
- Acclimation matters. Hardwood needs time to adjust to the temperature and humidity of your home before installation begins. Installing too soon can cause the floor to expand, contract, or cup after the job is done. Your installer will tell you exactly how long to let the product sit in the home before installation starts.
- Subfloor condition determines a lot. A hardwood floor is only as good as what is underneath it. Flat, dry, and structurally sound are the three requirements. We check all three before laying the first board.
- Solid hardwood and moisture do not mix. If your room is below grade, has concrete subfloor, or sees regular humidity spikes, engineered hardwood is the smarter choice.
- Prefinished is not a compromise. The factory finish on most prefinished hardwood products is harder and more durable than anything applied on-site. You are not sacrificing quality by choosing prefinished.
- Refinishing adds years to the life of the floor. One of the biggest advantages of real hardwood over vinyl or carpet is the ability to sand and refinish it. A floor that looks worn after 20 years can look brand new after a refinish.
Professional Hardwood Installation Available
Every hardwood product we carry can be professionally installed by our experienced team. We handle subfloor assessment, moisture testing, acclimation guidance, nail-down, staple-down, glue-down, and floating installs depending on the product and the room. All trim and transitions, including quarter round, shoe molding, and metal transitions, are in stock at our showroom. Every installation comes with a 1-year workmanship warranty and a free estimate.
Hardwood Flooring Available Throughout Central PA
Our New Cumberland showroom serves homeowners across Central PA. We sell and install hardwood flooring in Camp Hill, Lemoyne, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Enola, Shiremanstown, Lower Allen Township, Wormleysburg, Steelton, Lewisberry, York Haven, and Dillsburg. Not sure if we cover your area? Give us a call and we will let you know.
Come See Our Hardwood Selection in Person
Hardwood is a decision worth making in person. Stop by our showroom at 505 Park Rd., New Cumberland, PA 17070 to see and feel the difference between species, finishes, and construction types. Our team will walk you through the options honestly and help you find the right floor for your home and your budget.
Feel free to give us a call at 717-938-1609 We are happy to answer any hardwood and flooring questions and set up a free estimate!