Choose a floor for the way you live

Based in Yelm, Mario serves Thurston County and continues to serve our Pierce County service communities. See all service areas for coverage.

A new floor changes how a room looks and feels. The right choice also depends on what sits underneath it, the conditions in the home, and how the room is used.

Start with the room

Tell us where the flooring will go, what is there now, and whether you want to match an adjoining floor. Subfloor type, moisture conditions, level changes, and transitions all matter when planning an installation.

Solid or engineered wood?

Solid hardwood is made from a single piece of wood. Engineered wood combines a real wood surface with a layered structure. Neither category is automatically the right choice for every room.

The specific product, wear layer, installation method, and manufacturer requirements should be considered together. Engineered wood is not automatically waterproof, and future refinishing depends on the product.

Appearance is only part of the choice

Consider plank width, wood grain, color, finish sheen, maintenance, and how the new floor meets existing materials. Samples viewed in your own lighting can be more useful than photographs alone.

Wood flooring sample fans showing different stain tones and grain patterns — **Hardwood, engineered wood, and vinyl plank options.** Compare species, stain tones, and durable options for high-moisture spaces like kitchens and bathrooms.

Installer using a mallet to fit hardwood flooring planks tightly together — **Careful board fitting and replacement.** Tight seams, proper subfloor preparation, and clean room transitions matter on every installation.

Questions for your installation discussion

What preparation does the existing subfloor need?
Are moisture conditions suitable for the proposed product?
How will transitions and adjoining rooms be handled?
What acclimation and installation requirements apply?
What is included in the proposed work, and what is not?

Expanding an existing wood floor?

Matching new material to an older floor may involve differences in species, dimensions, age, and finish. Discuss the desired result before selecting materials. If the existing floor also needs attention, review refinishing and repair options.

Flooring planks aligned with leveling spacers during installation — Consistent leveling and alignment across subfloors for new and replacement flooring installations.

Read our solid versus engineered hardwood guide before comparing products, or talk through your installation project.