Hardwood Flooring in Lombard

Hardwood remains the most requested flooring material among Lombard homeowners, and for good reason. No other flooring delivers the same combination of warmth, durability, and long-term property value. Whether you are refinishing the original oak in a 1950s ranch or installing new wide-plank white oak in a recently renovated kitchen, Turn Key Designs handles hardwood from species selection through final finish at our showroom right here on Main Street.

Species We Install

The species you choose affects the floor’s appearance, hardness, grain pattern, and price per square foot. We stock and install the following hardwood species at our Lombard showroom:

White Oak

White oak is our most popular species in Lombard and across DuPage County. Its tight, closed grain structure makes it more moisture-resistant than red oak, which matters in a climate with humid summers and dry winters. White oak accepts stains evenly and is available in widths from 3 inches to 7 inches. The National Wood Flooring Association rates white oak at 1,360 on the Janka hardness scale, making it suitable for high-traffic areas like kitchens, entryways, and family rooms.

Red Oak

Red oak has a more prominent grain pattern than white oak and works well in traditional Lombard homes where visible character is desired. It is slightly softer (1,290 Janka) and more porous, which means it does not perform as well in rooms with moisture exposure. Red oak is typically the most affordable domestic hardwood species.

Hickory

Hickory is the hardest domestic species we install (1,820 Janka), making it ideal for families with large dogs or heavy foot traffic. Its dramatic grain variation creates a rustic, character-rich appearance. Hickory works particularly well in farmhouse-style and transitional interiors.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood uses a real hardwood top layer bonded to a plywood or HDF core. This layered construction makes it dimensionally stable across temperature and humidity changes, which is why we recommend it for Lombard homes with concrete subfloors, radiant heating systems, or below-grade installations. The top layer is thick enough to be sanded and refinished two to three times over its lifespan.

Refinishing Existing Hardwood

Many Lombard homes have original hardwood floors hidden under carpet. When those floors are in sound structural condition, refinishing is often more cost-effective than full replacement. Our refinishing process includes sanding down to bare wood, repairing damaged boards, applying stain (if desired), and finishing with three coats of water-based polyurethane. Water-based finishes dry faster, produce less odor than oil-based alternatives, and do not yellow over time.

We follow the sanding and finishing guidelines published by the NWFA, including proper grit sequencing and dust containment. A typical refinishing project in Lombard takes three to five days depending on the area.

New Installation Process

For new hardwood installations, the process follows a specific sequence:

1. Subfloor evaluation: moisture testing, levelness check, structural assessment
2. Material acclimation: hardwood must sit in the home for a minimum of 72 hours to reach equilibrium with the room’s temperature and humidity
3. Subfloor preparation: leveling, moisture barrier installation (for concrete), and any necessary repairs
4. Installation: nail-down on plywood subfloors, glue-down or floating for engineered products on concrete
5. Finish application: site-finished floors receive stain and three coats of polyurethane; pre-finished floors are installed and trimmed
6. Trim and transition: baseboards, quarter-round, and transition strips where hardwood meets other flooring materials

Permits

Standard hardwood flooring installation in Lombard does not require a building permit. If the project involves structural subfloor repairs or modifications to radiant heating systems, the Village of Lombard Building Division may require a permit. We handle all permitting as part of our design-build process.

Hardwood as Part of a Larger Project

Many Lombard homeowners install hardwood alongside other renovations. New hardwood throughout the main level pairs naturally with a kitchen remodel, and extending hardwood into a newly opened floor plan ties the entire space together. We coordinate hardwood installation with cabinet work, countertop installation, and whole-home renovations so every trade works in the right sequence.

For rooms where hardwood is not the right choice, we also install luxury vinyl plank, laminate, and tile. See our guide on hardwood vs. laminate vs. vinyl for a comparison.

Other Services in Lombard

Turn Key Designs provides kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, custom cabinetry, interior design, and home additions throughout Lombard. Visit our Lombard services page for the full list.

Visit Our Showroom

Our showroom at 219 S Main Street in Lombard has full-size samples of every hardwood species, stain, and finish we install. Stop by to compare options side by side, or call (630) 353-1186 to schedule a free in-home assessment. Book your hardwood consultation online.