1) Red Oak is not the only choice

If you want your home to look like everyone else’s, this is a great choice. If you want your home to be unique try hickory, cherry, walnut, white oak, maple or many others. Go to flooring retailers or search the Internet and see what is available. If you really want red oak try using wider widths or character grade for variety and uniqueness.

2) 2 1/4 inch is not the only size available

If all you ask your builder for is a hardwood floor ? you are going to get a 2 1/4 inch red oak floor. Why? It is the most common, most produced, most stocked, cheapest option available. You can buy sizes in 3″ through 12″. You can put down a single width for a uniform look or multiple widths for a more random look. Typical random flooring patterns are 3″-4″-5″, 3″-5″, 4″-5″-6″. Have fun! Make your home unique! The wider the floor the more seasonal separations between the flooring planks can occur.