Materials Explained

Your guide to fine flooring.

Hardwood, engineered, luxury vinyl plank, laminate and custom picture frames — what each one is, how they differ and where each shines. Here’s everything in plain language.

The timeless original

Solid Hardwood

Milled from a single piece of natural timber — oak, maple, walnut, hickory and more — solid hardwood is the floor against which all others are measured. Sanded and finished on site, it forms one continuous, seamless surface with depth and warmth that only real wood delivers.

  • Can be sanded & refinished many times — lasts generations
  • Unmatched character, grain and resale value
  • Best for living rooms, bedrooms, dining & formal spaces
  • Site-finished for a flawless, fully sealed surface

Prefers stable, above-grade rooms with controlled humidity — not ideal for basements.

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Solid Hardwood flooring installed by ANA Flooring in Chicagoland
Real wood, more resilient

Engineered Wood

Engineered planks bond a genuine hardwood veneer to a multi-ply or HDF core. The result looks and feels like solid wood — because the top layer is wood — but the cross-layered core resists the expansion and contraction that humidity causes. It’s the go-to for wide planks and modern open-concept homes.

  • Real wood surface, often refinishable once or twice
  • More stable over radiant heat, concrete & variable humidity
  • Available in dramatic wide planks & long lengths
  • Great for most main-floor and below-grade rooms

The smart choice when you want true hardwood beauty with fewer restrictions.

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Engineered Wood flooring installed by ANA Flooring in Chicagoland
Waterproof & worry-free

Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

Modern LVP uses high-resolution imaging and embossed texture to mimic wood and stone with startling realism — and it’s 100% waterproof. Comfortable underfoot, quiet and remarkably durable, it’s ideal for the hardest-working rooms in a luxury home.

  • Completely waterproof — kitchens, baths, basements, mudrooms
  • Scratch- & dent-resistant; excellent with pets & kids
  • Warmer and quieter underfoot than tile
  • Stunning wood & stone visuals at a smart value

Our most popular choice for busy households and lower levels.

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Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) flooring installed by ANA Flooring in Chicagoland
Designer looks, smart value

Laminate

Laminate fuses a high-definition photographic layer beneath a tough, clear wear coat over a dense fiberboard core. Today’s premium laminates are crisp, textured and convincingly wood-like — delivering a high-end aesthetic at an accessible price point.

  • Highly scratch- and fade-resistant surface
  • Crisp, contemporary wood visuals in many tones
  • Excellent value for large areas & rental-adjacent spaces
  • Water-resistant options available

A budget-savvy way to get a designer look across a large footprint.

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Laminate flooring installed by ANA Flooring in Chicagoland
Our signature detail

Floor Picture Frames

A floor picture frame is a custom border — often in a contrasting wood or laid in a different direction — that wraps the perimeter of a room or feature area, framing it like fine art. Paired with medallions, inlays and mitered corners, it’s the kind of bespoke detail that sets an estate-level floor apart.

  • Custom mitered borders that frame rooms & foyers
  • Contrasting species & directions for striking definition
  • Pairs beautifully with herringbone & diagonal fields
  • A true craftsman’s touch — entirely bespoke

Ask us about inlays, medallions and feature thresholds.

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Floor Picture Frames flooring installed by ANA Flooring in Chicagoland
At a Glance

Which floor fits your room?

MaterialWaterproofRefinishBest RoomsFeel
Solid HardwoodNoMany timesLiving, bed, diningWarm, classic
Engineered WoodWater-resistant1–2 timesMost rooms, basementsTrue wood
Luxury Vinyl PlankYes — 100%NoKitchen, bath, basementSoft, quiet
LaminateWater-resistantNoBedrooms, large areasFirm, crisp
Picture FramesPer materialPer materialFoyers, feature roomsBespoke accent

Not sure? Tell us about your space and we’ll recommend the right material and pattern.