Wood Guys Tulsa
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about hardwood installation, refinishing, repair, engineered wood, luxury vinyl, cost, financing, and service area from the team at Wood Guys. Serving Tulsa, Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, Sand Springs, Turley, and Oakhurst.
Installation
What types of hardwood flooring do you install?
Wood Guys installs solid hardwood, engineered hardwood, and pre-finished hardwood planks throughout the Tulsa area. Solid hardwood is milled from a single piece of wood and can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Engineered hardwood has a real wood veneer over a stable plywood core, which makes it better suited for basements, concrete subfloors, and rooms with humidity swings. Pre-finished hardwood comes from the factory already stained and sealed, so installation is faster and there is no on-site sanding or finish odor. We help you choose the right type for your home, your subfloor, and your lifestyle.
How long does hardwood floor installation take?
Most residential hardwood installations take two to five days from start to finish, depending on the square footage, the number of rooms, and whether the planks are pre-finished or site-finished. A single room of pre-finished plank can often be completed in one day. A full-home installation with site sanding and finishing typically takes three to five days. Solid hardwood also needs to acclimate to your home's humidity for 48 to 72 hours before installation, which we build into the schedule. We give you a firm timeline before we start and stick to it.
Do I need to remove my old flooring first?
We can remove and haul away your old carpet, tile, laminate, or vinyl as part of the installation project. If you prefer to tear it out yourself to save on labor, that is fine too. We do need the subfloor clean, dry, and flat before we arrive. If the old flooring left behind adhesive, staples, or uneven patches, we handle the subfloor prep so the new hardwood lays flat and stays tight. Tell us what is down there now and we will let you know what prep is needed.
Can you install hardwood over a concrete subfloor?
Yes. Solid hardwood cannot go directly over concrete because it absorbs moisture from the slab, but engineered hardwood is designed for exactly this situation. We can glue down or float engineered planks over a concrete subfloor after checking moisture levels and applying a moisture barrier when needed. If you have your heart set on solid hardwood over concrete, we can install a plywood subfloor first, though that adds height and cost. We test the slab for moisture before recommending an approach.
Will hardwood floors increase my home's value?
Hardwood is one of the most consistently recommended upgrades by real estate agents and appraisers. It tends to return a strong portion of its cost at resale because buyers see it as a premium, permanent feature rather than a replaceable surface. Solid hardwood in particular can last for decades with proper refinishing, which makes it a long-term investment rather than a maintenance item. The exact return depends on your neighborhood and the rest of your home, but hardwood floors are widely considered a value-add in the Tulsa market.
Do I need to move out during installation?
You do not usually need to move out for a pre-finished installation, though you will want to keep pets and small children away from the work area and the tools. For a site-finished installation that includes sanding and finishing, plan for the rooms being worked on to be off-limits for a few days because of the dust, the finish odor, and the wet finish that cannot be walked on. We will walk you through exactly what to expect and which rooms need to be cleared so you can plan around it. Most families stay home and simply stay out of the rooms we are working in.
Refinishing and Sanding
How do I know if my floors need refinishing?
Signs that your hardwood needs refinishing include visible scratches and gouges, dull or worn spots in high-traffic areas, gray or discolored boards where the finish has worn through, water stains, and a floor that no longer shines after cleaning. A simple test is to drip a few drops of water on a worn area. If the water beads up, the finish is still intact. If it soaks in and leaves a dark spot, the protective coating is gone and the wood is exposed. Refinishing restores that protective layer and brings back the original color and shine.
How long does refinishing take, and how long until I can walk on it?
Refinishing a typical room takes one to three days of work, depending on the size and how many coats of finish we apply. After the final coat, water-based finishes need about 24 hours before light foot traffic and 48 hours before furniture goes back. Oil-based finishes need 48 to 72 hours before walking and up to a week before rugs and heavy furniture. We will tell you exactly when it is safe to walk on, place furniture, and put down rugs. Socks only for the first day is standard.
Do you offer dustless sanding?
Yes. We use professional dust containment systems that connect our sanding equipment to a high-powered vacuum, capturing the vast majority of wood dust at the source. This keeps your home far cleaner than traditional sanding, protects your HVAC system, and means you are not cleaning sawdust off every surface for weeks afterward. It is not completely dust-free, no system is, but it is dramatically cleaner than the old method. If anyone in your home has allergies or asthma, dustless sanding makes a big difference.
Can you change the color or stain of my existing floors?
Yes. Refinishing is the perfect time to change your stain color. We sand the floor down to bare wood, which removes the old stain and finish, and then apply a new stain in the color you choose. We can go from light natural tones to dark walnuts and everything in between. We bring sample boards to your home so you can see how the stain looks in your lighting, next to your walls and trim, before we commit. You are not stuck with the color your floors came with.
How often should hardwood floors be refinished?
A well-maintained hardwood floor typically needs refinishing every 7 to 10 years in high-traffic areas like kitchens and hallways, and every 15 to 20 years in lower-traffic rooms like bedrooms. Floors with pets, kids, or heavy foot traffic may need it sooner. If you keep the floor clean, use floor protectors on furniture, and refresh the finish before the wood itself gets damaged, you extend the life significantly. Waiting too long means the damage reaches the wood fibers and the repair becomes more involved and more expensive.
Repair
What kinds of hardwood floor damage can you repair?
We repair board replacement for cracked or split planks, water damage from leaks or spills, pet stains and scratches, gaps between boards, squeaky or loose floors, cupping and crowning from moisture, burn marks, and damage from moving furniture. We also fix transitions where new flooring meets old, and we can blend repaired sections so they match the surrounding floor. If the damage is isolated to a few boards we can often replace just those rather than refinishing the whole room.
Can you match new boards to my existing floor?
Yes. We identify the wood species, the board width, the stain color, and the finish sheen of your existing floor and source matching material. For older floors where the exact product is discontinued, we find the closest match and blend it with staining and finishing techniques so the repair is as invisible as possible. There is always some natural variation with wood, especially as existing floors age, but our goal is a seamless repair that does not jump out at you when you walk in the room.
How much does hardwood floor repair cost?
Repair pricing depends on the extent of the damage, the number of boards to replace, whether we need to source matching material, and whether the surrounding floor needs refinishing to blend the repair. A single board replacement is far less than a full-room refinish. Rather than quote a number without seeing the floor, we give you a written estimate after inspecting the damage so you know the cost before we start. In many cases repair is significantly cheaper than replacing the entire floor. Request a free in-home estimate for an exact quote.
Repair vs. refinish vs. replace — which do I need?
If only a few boards are damaged and the rest of the floor is in good shape, a spot repair may be all you need. If the finish is worn and scratched across the whole floor but the wood underneath is sound, refinishing restores it without replacing anything. If the boards are warped, water-damaged through, too thin to sand again, or you want a completely different product, replacement may be the better call. We inspect the floor and tell you honestly which option makes sense, because the right answer depends entirely on what we find when we look at it.
Engineered Hardwood
What is the difference between solid and engineered hardwood?
Solid hardwood is milled from one piece of wood, top to bottom. It is typically 3/4 inch thick, can be sanded and refinished multiple times, and is best for above-grade rooms with wood subfloors. Engineered hardwood has a real wood wear layer bonded to a plywood core. It is more dimensionally stable, meaning it handles humidity and temperature changes better, and it can be installed over concrete or below grade. Both are real wood. The right choice depends on your subfloor, the room, and how many times you expect to refinish over the life of the floor.
Is engineered hardwood real wood?
Yes. The top wear layer of engineered hardwood is a real slice of hardwood, the same species you would get in a solid plank. What makes it engineered is the layered core underneath that wear layer, which is built from cross-plied plywood for stability. You walk on, sand, and finish real wood. The difference is structural, not cosmetic. A quality engineered floor looks and feels like solid hardwood because the surface you see and touch is the same material.
When should I choose engineered over solid hardwood?
Engineered hardwood is the better choice when you are installing over a concrete slab, in a basement or below-grade room, in a space with bigger humidity swings, or when you want a wider plank that stays more stable. Solid hardwood is the better choice when you are over a wood subfloor, above grade, and want a floor you can refinish many times over decades. We help you decide based on your subfloor, the room, and how long you plan to stay in the home.
Vinyl and LVP
What is luxury vinyl plank (LVP)?
Luxury vinyl plank, or LVP, is a waterproof flooring made to look like hardwood. Modern LVP uses high-resolution printed films and embossed textures that closely mimic the grain and feel of real oak, hickory, and walnut. Because it is vinyl through and through, it is fully waterproof, which makes it a strong choice for kitchens, bathrooms, mudrooms, basements, and homes with pets or frequent spills. It installs as a floating floor in many cases, so it can go down faster than solid hardwood.
Is LVP a good choice for pets and kids?
For active households, LVP is one of the most forgiving floors you can choose. It is waterproof, so spills and accidents do not soak in and warp the floor the way they can with solid wood. It resists scratches better than softer hardwoods, and it is quieter underfoot. If you have large dogs, a busy kitchen, or rooms where moisture is a regular concern, LVP handles it without the worry. We carry wood-look LVP lines and can show you samples that look remarkably close to real hardwood.
Can LVP look like real hardwood?
Modern luxury vinyl plank is designed to mimic hardwood, and the best lines get surprisingly close. Registered embossing aligns the texture with the printed grain so the floor feels like wood underfoot, and the plank widths and bevels match common hardwood profiles. It will not fool someone who gets down and studies it up close, and it does not add resale value the way real hardwood does, but for a waterproof, low-maintenance floor it is a strong option. We bring samples to your home so you can compare LVP and real hardwood side by side.
Estimates and Financing
How much does hardwood flooring installation cost in Tulsa?
Hardwood installation pricing depends on the product you choose, the square footage, the condition of your subfloor, and whether the planks are pre-finished or site-finished. Solid hardwood generally costs more than engineered, and wide-plank or exotic species cost more than standard oak. Rather than quote a number without seeing the space, we provide free in-home estimates where we measure the room, assess the subfloor, and give you a detailed written quote with no surprises. Request a free in-home estimate for an exact quote.
How much does floor refinishing cost?
Refinishing cost depends on the square footage, the condition of the floor, whether we change the stain color, and the type of finish you choose. Water-based finishes dry faster and have less odor but cost a bit more. Oil-based finishes are more affordable and durable but take longer to cure and amber over time. We measure the space and give you a written estimate that includes sanding, staining, finishing, and cleanup so you can compare options side by side. Request a free in-home estimate for an exact quote.
Do you offer free estimates?
Yes, every estimate is free. We come to your home, measure the space, look at your subfloor and existing floors, and talk through your options and budget. You get a written quote with the product, labor, and timeline broken out. There is no pressure and no obligation. Call us at (918) 254-7343 or request a free in-home estimate through this site to schedule a visit.
Do you offer financing?
Yes, we offer financing options to help spread the cost of your flooring project over manageable monthly payments. Plans can cover installation, refinishing, and repair projects, and we can walk you through what is available so you can find one that fits your budget. Ask us about financing during your estimate and we will show you the options. See our financing page for details on how it works, typical terms, and the application steps.
Service Area
What is your service area?
Wood Guys is based at our Tulsa showroom at 9915 East 51st St South, Suite A 100, Tulsa, OK 74146, and we serve the surrounding area including Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, Sand Springs, Turley, and Oakhurst. If you are not sure whether we cover your neighborhood, call us at (918) 254-7343 and we will let you know. You can also see our full service area page for details.
Do you serve Broken Arrow, Jenks, and Bixby?
Yes. In addition to Tulsa, we regularly install and refinish hardwood floors in Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, Sand Springs, Turley, and Oakhurst. We travel to these communities from our Tulsa showroom. If you live in any of these areas and want to know whether we can take on your project, the quickest way to confirm is to call us at (918) 254-7343 or request a free in-home estimate and tell us your address.
How do I get an estimate if I live outside Tulsa?
The process is the same whether you are in Tulsa or a nearby suburb. Request a free in-home estimate through this site or call us at (918) 254-7343, tell us your address and what you are looking for, and we will schedule a visit to measure the space and assess the subfloor. We serve Broken Arrow, Jenks, Bixby, Owasso, Sand Springs, Turley, and Oakhurst from our Tulsa showroom, so reach out and we will confirm we can get to you.
Still have a question?
Our team is always happy to talk wood species, subfloor prep, stain options, and scheduling. Call us or request a free in-home estimate.