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Chicago's Premier Hardwood Floor Company
One-Stop Shop for Your Hardwood Flooring Needs
Simple Flooring handles hardwood floor installation and refinishing across Chicagoland. Our installers visit your home with samples, walk through species, grade, finish type, and layout options in person, and give you a written price before any work begins.
With 1,500+ hardwood projects completed and 50+ years of combined experience, we know which species handles Illinois' humidity cycles and what your subfloor actually requires for a durable result.
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Over 50 Years of Combined Flooring Experience.svg)
1,500+ Successful Installation Projects.svg)
12-Month Installation Warranty
About Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring is milled from a single piece of timber. Each plank carries the natural character of the tree it came from. Unlike composite materials, solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times, giving a well-maintained floor a lifespan of 50 to 100 years. In Chicago homes, proper acclimation and moisture management are what separate a floor that lasts from one that warps, gaps, or squeaks within a few seasons.
Pros:
- Each species has a distinct grain, tone, and hardness; the result is genuinely your own.
- Increases home value; one of the highest-ROI flooring upgrades in Chicago resales.
- Refinishable 5–7 times over its lifetime, which costs far less than full replacement.
Cons:
- Sensitive to moisture; below-grade spaces and poorly ventilated bathrooms are not ideal candidates.
- Color shifts with prolonged sun exposure, particularly warmer tones like cherry and acacia.
- Higher upfront cost than alternatives. Long-term economics favor hardwood, but the investment is real.
Popular Hardwood Species We Install
Red Oak
White Oak
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Oak
Moderate/High CostRed oak (1,290 Janka) and white oak (1,360 Janka). White oak's tighter grain takes dark and gray stains more evenly, which matters if a cooler tone is the goal.
See All Hardwood OptionsMaple
Moderate/High CostAt 1,450 Janka, harder than both oak varieties. Its closed grain resists surface scratching better, making it the default choice for kitchens and homes with pets.
See All Hardwood OptionsHickory
Moderate/High CostAt 1,820 Janka, it's the hardest domestic species we install. Color ranges from cream to deep brown within a single plank, giving it strong visual character in high-traffic spaces.
See All Hardwood OptionsBrazilian Cherry
High/premium costAt 2,350 Janka, harder than oak and maple. The deep reddish-brown color deepens further with sun exposure, which is worth factoring in for rooms with south- or west-facing windows.
See All Hardwood OptionsAcacia
High/premium costWide-plank format with strong grain variation. No two installations look the same. View samples under your home's actual lighting before committing to this species.
See All Hardwood OptionsAsh
Moderate/High CostRing-porous grain absorbs stain evenly, giving a cleaner, more uniform color than oak. Supply varies seasonally, so confirm availability at your estimate appointment.
See All Hardwood Options
Brands We Work With
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Our Recent Hardwood Flooring Projects
Full-Home Hardwood Floor & Staircase Renovation
Full-Home Wood and Tile Floor Installation
Chicago Condo Oak Hardwood Renovation
Hardwood Elegance Project — Simple Flooring
Old House Flooring Restoration
Hardwood Floor Installation Cost in Chicago
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Average Cost:
$10–$19per square foot.webp)
1,000 sq ft Space:
$10,000–$19,000
Total
Factors Affecting Price:
Wood Type and Grade
Installation Complexity
Pre-Finished vs. Site-Finished
Finish Type
Get Your Free Hardwood Flooring Estimate
Hardwood flooring costs vary by species, subfloor condition, and finish type. A free in-home estimate gives you a firm number before any commitment.
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Simple Flooring Installation Process — Easy & Hassle-Free
1. Free In-Home Hardwood Flooring Estimate
We visit your space, assess the subfloor, and walk through species, grade, and finish options with samples on hand. You leave with a clear written price.
2. Acclimation Period
Hardwood planks sit in the installation space for 48–72 hours minimum, longer in winter. This step prevents gapping, buckling, and squeaking after install.
3. Subfloor Prep
We move furniture, remove old flooring where needed, and address any leveling or moisture issues before a single board goes down.
4. Installation
Planks go in following NWFA specs: correct layout direction, expansion gaps at all perimeters, and the right fastening method for your subfloor type.
5. Walkthrough and Cleanup
We inspect the finished floor with you, clean the space completely, and cover care instructions and your 12-month warranty before we leave.
Our Guarantee and Warranty
Simple Flooring covers both the labor and the product. If an installation flaw surfaces, we repair it at no charge within the warranty period.
- 12-month installation warranty
- Manufacturer's product warranty
- Free repair for installation flaws within the warranty period
For complete warranty information, please review our full warranty document.
Why Chicago Homeowners Choose Simple Flooring
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Customer Testimonials
FAQs About Hardwood Flooring
Can hardwood flooring be installed in a kitchen?
Yes. Hardwood floor installation works well in kitchens except directly in front of the sink or dishwasher, where standing water is a recurring risk. Species above 1,200 Janka with a hard finish handle the rest of the kitchen without issues.
Can hardwood be installed over a concrete subfloor?
Solid hardwood flooring can be glued to concrete at grade level after a moisture test. Below-grade spaces like finished basements call for engineered hardwood installation, which handles higher moisture levels better.
How long after installation can I move furniture back?
Pre-finished hardwood: 24 hours. Site-finished: 48–72 hours for light traffic, up to a week before heavy furniture. The most common way to damage a new finish is moving back too early.
Is hardwood a practical choice for homes with pets or children?
Species selection matters more than flooring type. Hickory (1,820 Janka) and maple (1,450 Janka) handle pet nails and daily wear noticeably better than oak. An aluminum-oxide finish adds extra scratch resistance on top of that.
Service Area
We serve the greater Chicago metropolitan area from our convenient showroom location in Elk Grove Village, IL.
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Start with a Free In-Home Estimate
We come to you, assess the space, walk through your options, and give you a clear written price before any hardwood flooring installation is scheduled. No showroom visit required, no obligation to proceed.