Frequently Asked Questions

Solid hardwood floors need to be installed on a level surface and nailed down. Therefore, without major preparation, they cannot be installed over concrete.
Some engineered wood flooring can be installed “floating” which allows for more usability in certain homes.
Our expert sales team can give you more details about these or answer any other questions about hardwood flooring you may have.
Stop into any of our six Long Island locations to see what floor will be best suited for your home.
Long Island Paneling, Ceilings & Floors does not perform installations. Upon request, we can provide names and contact information of reputable, local and experienced installers. We recommend meeting several installers and checking their references.

While the finish of your hardwood floor is protected, it is a natural product. No floor will ever be scratch-proof! This means that with enough force, any floor can be scratched or gouged, so it is best to keep this in mind.
A look at the Janka Hardness Scale can also be helpful in deciding what kind of wood would be best for your home.
It is recommended that all homeowners use felt pads under heavy furniture to prevent scratching the floor when moving the furniture.
It is also recommended to use walk-off mats at the entrances of the home to help prevent dirt and sand being tracked into the home, as dirt, sand and other bits from the outside can cause scratching to occur.
Proper maintenance and protection can reduce the chances of your floor scratching, but cannot completely eliminate the possibility.

Yes, it will. Long Island Paneling, Ceilings & Floors only sells prefinished hardwood flooring. Over time, all hardwood flooring products will change based upon exposure to light.
Depending on the wood, your floor may darken or lighten over time. Wood grains may become more or less noticeable as time passes. This is unavoidable. How long this process will take depends upon the factors in your home.
It is possible that if you install hardwood flooring, then set your furniture down and do not move that furniture for several years, that you will have noticeable areas of light and dark. There is nothing that can be done about this, but it is perfectly normal.
Hardwood flooring is a living product and changes with time.

Since hardwood flooring is a natural product, there are factors that can affect your choice. Various wood species have different variations in coloring, graining, knot appearance, and other characterstics.
Some woods, like Oak, naturally have a heavy grain that will be noticed, while Maple will have a softer, subtler, grain. Staining will greatly unify the look of the floor, but the grain will still be noticed.
This graining is what you are looking for in a wood floor, after all. Again, the grain will affect the overall look and feel of the room it is installed in. Because of wood grading, you can more carefully pick the look you desire.
When manufacturers choose wood pieces with few or no knots and very few color variations for a warm, uniform look, that becomes known as Selected Grade. Then, in the middle there are various grades with different amounts of color and grading, known as Middle Grades.
The flooring products with the most characteristics are often called “Rustic” or Character Grades. Although the clear grades tend to cost more, wood is wood. If you like the clear and consistent look, you will like the Selected Grade.
Often, the clear grades are used in formal settings. If you like heavy grains, knots and lots of character, you will enjoy the more rustic grades. These are often used in less formal, relaxed settings.

Hardwood flooring is a natural product and is affected by the moisture level present in the home. For those of us on Long Island, there is an island climate to consider. We are therefore we more susceptible to high moisture content in the ground.
Almost all hardwood flooring manufacturers require an above grade installation for solid hardwood flooring; whereas engineered flooring can oftentimes be installed below grade (check the manufacturer’s guidelines).
During the summer months, the humidity level tends to be higher, causing the wood planks to swell. Again, this is normal. A properly installed hardwood floor will allow room for this expansion and contraction.
One way to help combat this issue is to maintain a constant humidity level in the home.

This is a question that comes down to taste and personal preference. How do you want your home to look and feel? There is no right or wrong answer. However, it is important to consider that some looks are timeless while others are trendier.

Ceiling tiles are made of mineral or wood fiber, fiberglass or drywall with a vinyl face.

For a suspended ceiling, a 3 ½ - 4” clearance is required.

All ceiling tiles (except for fiberglass) can be painted with latex paint.

Ceiling tiles come in a 12”x12” size for attaching to existing ceilings Ceiling tiles that are 2’x2’ and 2’x4’ are for suspended ceilings.