So you’re shopping for hardwood floors.
You’ve googled. You’ve swiped. You’ve stared at twenty shades of “natural oak” and still don’t know the difference between engineered and solid… or why one plank is $4 and the next one is $14.
Welcome to the club.
Hardwood is one of the smartest upgrades you can make in your home—but it can also be one of the most confusing. That's why McGrath Floor & Design is here to make it simple, beautiful, and done right—every time.
If you're in the Greater Nashville area, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know before buying hardwood—and exactly how McGrath helps you avoid every flooring trap in the book.
📏 Step 1: Know Your Subfloor (and Why It Matters)
Before you even look at colors, you need to know what’s under your feet.
Because the type of subfloor you’ve got (and the conditions in your home) will help determine:
✅ Whether you can go with solid hardwood
✅ Whether you need engineered hardwood
✅ Whether your floor should be nailed, glued, or floated
✅ Whether you’ll need a moisture barrier or leveling work
At McGrath, our pros do an on-site assessment, so you don’t have to guess.
Because guessing? That’s how you end up with a cupped, buckled mess six months from now.
🌳 Step 2: Choose Between Solid or Engineered Hardwood
Here’s the quick breakdown:
Solid Hardwood
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One solid piece of wood
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Can be sanded/refinished multiple times
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Needs nailed installation (wood subfloor required)
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Can react to moisture and climate changes
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Timeless, classic, long-term option
Engineered Hardwood
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Top layer of real wood, backed with layered plywood
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More dimensionally stable (better for TN humidity!)
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Can go over concrete or radiant heat
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Can be glued, nailed, or floated
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Looks identical to solid, often comes in wider planks
💡 Rick’s Rule: Upstairs or slab foundation? Go engineered.
Basement? Engineered for sure.
Ground level wood subfloor? Let’s talk.
🎨 Step 3: Pick the Right Species and Finish
Think about:
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Grain pattern: Subtle (maple) or bold (hickory)?
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Color: Natural, stained, light, dark, gray?
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Sheen: Matte? Satin? Glossy? (Hint: Matte hides scratches best)
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Durability: Got pets or kids? Go harder. Try white oak or hickory.
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Resale value: Timeless tones like natural oak, not trendy grays, tend to age better.
And remember, McGrath carries premium brands like:
✔️ Urban Floor
✔️ Garrison
✔️ Mercier
✔️ Sawyer Mason
✔️ Maine Traditions
✔️ Provenza
We’ll show you real samples—not just digital photos—and walk you through what’s in stock, what’s custom order, and what’ll match your cabinets and furniture best.
🧰 Step 4: Decide on Prefinished vs. Sand & Finish
You’ve got two main finish styles:
Prefinished Hardwood
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Stained and sealed at the factory
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Faster install, no odor or sanding in your home
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Cleaner process (no dust storms)
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You see exactly what you’re getting
Sand & Finish Hardwood
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Installed raw, then sanded, stained, and sealed on-site
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Fully custom look (stain, sheen, layout = your pick)
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Seamless planks with no beveled edges
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Can be refinished many times
💡 Rick’s Tip:
💸 Step 5: Know the Real Cost
What does hardwood flooring really cost? That depends on:
At McGrath, you get a detailed written estimate—not ballpark guesses.
We’ll show you where it makes sense to save, and where it’s worth spending a little extra to avoid trouble later.
🚚 Step 6: Choose Your Installation Team (Carefully)
Even the best flooring in the world can look awful if it's installed by the wrong crew.
At McGrath, we only use vetted, professional, experienced installers—not subcontractors we met yesterday. You’ll know who’s coming, what they’re doing, and when they’ll be finished.
And yes, we handle:
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Flooring tear-outs
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Subfloor repair
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Moisture testing
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Transitions & trim
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Baseboard reinstallation
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Full project management
You won’t be babysitting the job. We’ve got it.
🏡 Why McGrath Floor & Design Is Nashville’s Hardwood HQ
For over 50 years, we’ve been helping folks across Greater Nashville—from Franklin to Hendersonville, Brentwood to Belle Meade—choose better wood floors without the big box stress.
What makes us different?
✔️ One-stop shop: Flooring, layout, cabinets, paint, install
✔️ Real design guidance: From professionals, not part-timers
✔️ Products we stand behind: No bait-and-switch
✔️ Locally owned and operated: You’ll actually meet Rick
✔️ Fast delivery & install: Yes, we’ve got in-stock options
✔️ We treat your home like it’s our own
📝 Ready to Get Started?
Here’s your plan:
Visit our showroom at 1010 Perrone Way, Franklin, TN
Call (615) 207-0427 and ask for a free hardwood estimate
Don’t get floored by bad advice. Get McGrath on it. - Rick McGrath
