Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - matching engineered flooring

I posted the following late last year, but did not pursue it because of work. But school is done for the summer and I need it get on this.


I need some assistance with determining if it is possible to match flooring from two different manufacturers. Here is the problem. I got talked into purchasing Award flooring. I installed it in four 10 x 10 rooms and for the most part we have been satisfied with the product. last year we had water damage in one of the room and I had to remove about 1/3 of the flooring from one if the rooms. When I went back to the store to purchase replacement Award flooring, they said the did not carry the product anymore. I contacted award and was told they do not make it anymore. I have no desire to remove the remaining floor. Is it possible to match a new engineer floor with the existing award floor? The award was 86.5 in length, 7 inch wide, 1/2 inch thick. Thanks

You're very unlikely to match it with another product. Award floors are what is referred to as "longstrip" products. You have a long, wide plank with solid sawn fillets pieced together to make the top veneer. The problem is, most longstrip products vary in dimension from vendor to vendor. For example:

Award = 1/2" thick, 7" wide
Harris Wood (Harris Tarkett) = 9/16" thick, 7 1/2" wide
Kahrs = 5/8" thick, 7 7/8" wide

That's not even getting into the different sheen levels, fill levels, stain colors, etc. that you will run into. If you want to salvage the remaining flooring in that room, you would be better to purchase another product from Award in the same species, install the new planks, then sand and refinish the floor as a whole so the color will match. These longstrip floors usually have very heavy veneers that can be sanded and refinished as many as 3 times. Check with Award to be sure of their refinishing recommendations.

thanks for the quick reply. disappointed but not surprised. what if I forgo trying to repair the floor. instead, install a sheet of plywood with the same thickness as the award the area where I had to remove the award floor. That would level things out and I could install carpet. Pro/Cons?

You can install carpet if you like, but there shouldn't be any need to add more plywood. The award is 1/2" thick....berber carpet pad is usually 3/8", plush pad is usually 1/2", then add the thickness of the carpet = you're fine to lay your carpet on the existing subfloor. Just install a baby threshold along the edge of the wood to protect it and give you something to turn&tuck the carpet against.

again Tn.floorguy thanks for both the quick response and your advice. We (I was told by the boss lady) that we will go with the carpet. The reason I suggested placing down the plywood, it would replace the area where I removed the award planks and would bring it level with the remaining installed floor. BTY the room is in the basement so the subflooring is concrete.

BostonBlackie