ARCHITECTS & INTERIOR DESIGNERS
TRANSFORMING YOUR DREAM INTO A MASTERPIECE
We make the wood selection process effortless, providing expert guidance from a certified wood flooring inspector for every stage of your project. From custom sizing, colors, and designs to specifying the right flooring system to avoid costly issues down the line, Brickell Wood Floors helps you and your clients create a floor that not only reflects your vision but is built to last a lifetime.
Book a Virtual Consultation with a Wood Floor Specialist to review the details of your project!
What Makes Brickell Wood Floors Different?
Joe Avila, owner of Brickell Wood Floors, has been a wood flooring professional for over twenty year. He founded the company to make the process simpler for architects and interior designers to source the right materials for their projects. Joe is a certified inspector, installer and sander through the National Wood Flooring Association. For you, this means he can help prevent costly flooring failures during the material selection, installation, and sanding process. Joe reviews common and expensive wood flooring mistakes daily and can help you avoid them on your project. Manufacturers, developers, architects, and interior designers turn to Joe when problems arise, and the smartest ones turn to him first to avoid them entirely.
Joe will teach you how to build a flooring system that stands the test of time, just as he does in his weekly lectures for world-renowned architectural and interior design firms across the country. He will help you create the floor of your dreams.
Book a Virtual Consultation with Joe Avila
SPECIES SELECTION
As the basis of design, choosing the perfect species sets the tone for your entire project.
WHITE OAK
The most popular species used in commercial wood flooring, White Oak is one of the most versatile hardwoods available. Known for its elegance and beauty in both traditional and contemporary settings, this timeless American favorite has graced exquisite interiors around the world. It is prized for its wide variety of grain patterns, exceptional durability, and ability to complement nearly any design style.
White Oak features a distinctive closed-grain pattern with color variations ranging from light honey sapwood to rich golden-brown heartwood. It is stunning with a clear finish and can also be stained to enhance its natural character. Beyond its surface beauty, White Oak is one of the most stable and durable of all the oaks—an enduring material that creates a floor built to last a lifetime.
RED OAK
Red Oak is the dominant species leader used in residential hardwood flooring. With its bold grain patterns and warm reddish-golden tones, it remains one of the most popular choices for homes across the country. Harvested primarily from the Northern and Appalachian forests of the United States, this region is known for producing Red Oak with the best color and texture.
Red Oak features a striking open-grain pattern that highlights natural cathedrals and allows for a wide range of high-contrast design possibilities. While natural or pastel stain colors may reveal subtle pink undertones, its open pores absorb stain beautifully, offering the ability to create dramatic wood finishes with distinctive depth and character.
WALNUT
Rich and luxurious, Walnut brings warmth and sophistication to any space. American Walnut has long been prized by furniture and cabinetmakers for its deep coloration, smooth texture, and lustrous finish. Its tones range from sandy brown to dark chocolate, beautifully balanced by lighter sapwood streaks that enhance its natural depth and character.
Walnut is relatively dimensionally stable, with low expansion and contraction properties. With a Janka hardness rating of 1010, it is among the softer species commonly used for wood flooring. For this reason, Brickell Wood Floors does not recommend Walnut for high-traffic environments, as it is more prone to surface impressions from high heels and heavy use. Traditionally, all Walnut is steamed to reduce the contrast between the dark heartwood and the lighter sapwood, creating a more balanced and refined appearance
MAPLE
Eastern Hard Maple is a traditional and durable hardwood, well-suited for wood flooring applications. Maple’s dense, closed grain makes it more challenging for deep stain penetration, which is why it is often finished with a clear coat that highlights its natural beauty. Known for its light, bright appearance and striking contrast, Hard Maple ranges in color from nearly uniform white to a blend of white and warm reddish-brown tones.
Hard Maple has a long history of use in gymnasiums and commercial spaces where strength and durability are essential. However, it is not recommended for dry climates or installations over radiant heat systems. Maple is also light-sensitive and will gradually develop a warm amber hue when exposed to natural light.
ASH
Ash wide plank flooring offers the dual benefits of exceptional durability and impressive dimensional stability. Its inner strength is subtly balanced by a muted, creamy appearance.
Ash is similar in appearance to White Oak or Hickory but with a slightly warmer, yellow undertone. The sapwood features a light, creamy color, while the heartwood ranges from pale tan to deep brown. Its grain pattern is bold and straight with occasional waves, and the classic cathedral grain in plain-sawn boards reveals the beauty of the tree’s growth rings.
This species is an excellent choice for those seeking a floor that can withstand heavy foot traffic and daily use. Ash is also famously known as the primary wood used in MLB-regulation baseball bats—if it can endure a 99-mile-per-hour fastball, it can easily stand up to the demands of everyday life. Additionally, Ash is approximately nine percent more dimensionally stable than Northern Red Oak, allowing it to better resist humidity and temperature fluctuations while maintaining its elegant appearance.
CUTS OF WOOD
Cut not only affects appearance, but it affects the structure and durability of the wood.
PLAINSAWN
This cut of wood is common and easily recognized by its sawing method. The board is cut, turned 90 degrees, and then cut again, producing minimal waste while revealing a distinctive cathedral grain pattern.
RIFT SAWN
This cut of wood is the most expensive and least common. The planks are sawn perpendicular to the tree’s growth rings, producing a clean, linear grain pattern that lends a modern aesthetic. It is especially popular in oak and maple species; however, it is difficult to produce planks wider than four inches.
RIFT & QUARTERED
Logs are cut with the grain intersecting the face of the board at approximately a 60-degree angle. Each log is divided into four quarters, and each quarter is sawn perpendicular to the growth rings at a slight angle—creating what is known as rift and quartered lumber.
QUARTER SAWN
This cut of wood is defined by its vertical grain and clean, striped appearance. The log is first divided into quarters, then live-sawn to produce the planks. Due to the detailed manufacturing process and lower wood yield per log, this cut is typically more expensive.
WOOD TEXTURES
The natural beauty of wood is often best appreciated when it is sanded smooth and expertly finished. However, its character can also be enhanced through the addition of carefully applied surface textures.
WIREBRUSHED
The term “wire-brushed” refers to a hardwood flooring finish created by scraping the surface of each plank with a hard-bristled wire brush. This process removes the softer wood fibers, revealing the natural grain and texture. The result is a subtly distressed, gently weathered appearance that adds depth, character, and a refined rustic charm.
HANDSCRAPED
Hand-scraped wood flooring is a highly sought-after option for those looking for something distinctive and full of character. As the name suggests, this flooring is crafted to appear aged and gently worn through a technique known as hand scraping. The result is a beautifully weathered surface that evokes the charm of timeworn wood and adds warmth, texture, and timeless appeal to any space.
TIME WORN
As wood floors age, they become naturally worn by footsteps and the passage of time. The grain reveals distinctive patterns that add depth and authenticity to every plank. Through a proprietary process, our craftsmen recreate these timeless details—echoing the look and feel of New England floors that have been gracefully lived on for more than three lifetimes.
COLOR
Brickell Wood Floors offers endless color possibilities—where your imagination is the only limit. While many companies view a custom-made sample as a challenge, for the experts at Brickell Wood Floors, it’s simply part of what we do every day.
You’ll never have to settle for a stain or finish that’s “close enough.” Our Architect + Design consultants will work directly with you to create the perfect match—whether that means replicating a laminate chip, paint color, or fabric swatch.
Our custom sampling process typically takes 10–14 business days. For projects with tighter timelines, we have hundreds of pre-made sample options in our showroom that we are happy to share. Our collection of showroom samples are organically updated thanks to our collaboration with interior designers, architects, and premier wood flooring manufacturers
FINISH
POLYURETHANE
Whether site-finished or shop-applied (pre-finished), urethane finishes are among the most popular and durable options for hardwood flooring. This is especially true in commercial projects where ease of maintenance and long-term performance are essential.
Most pre-finished floors on the market today feature an aluminum oxide urethane finish, offering exceptional scratch resistance and durability. However, because the finish is so hard, these floors can be more challenging to re-coat when needed.
For site-finished floors, stain and topcoats are applied after installation and sanding. In these cases, we recommend two coats of high-quality water-based urethane, which provides excellent protection and clarity.
Urethane-finished floors look their best the day they are installed. Over time, as they begin to show signs of wear, they may need to be recoated or refinished—an important step to extend the overall lifespan of the wood floor.
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Identifying Damage: Damage to a urethane floor is easy to recognize by the appearance of white scratches on the finish. Because you walk on the protective topcoat rather than the wood itself, most wear remains within the finish. Repairing it is straightforward—remove all furniture from the space and apply a fresh, uniform coat of finish.
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Recommended Sheen: We recommend utilizing a Matte or Satin sheen to minimize reflectivity and enhance the natural beauty of the wood.
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Maintenance: Regular care on a urethane finished floor is dry mopping, vacuuming, and cleaning using only recommended cleaners. Avoid products containing waxes, oils, or ammonia, as they can damage the finish and reduce its longevity.
HARD-WAX OIL
This matte sheen penetrating oil offers the advantages listed above with one huge caveat—regular maintenance. It remains a popular choice for residential projects, where maintenance can be properly performed and monitored. In commercial applications, however, the demanding upkeep requirements are often neglected, causing the floor’s appearance to deteriorate quickly. Based on Brickell Wood Floors' extensive experience in commercial wood flooring, we seldom recommend Hardwax Oil even for light-traffic commercial spaces.
With its low sheen and natural aesthetic, oil-finished flooring is highly desirable in today’s market, particularly for residential interiors. While not as durable as a urethane finish, it offers greater flexibility when it comes to repairing damage.
On an oil-finished floor, you walk directly on the wood surface rather than on a protective coating like a urethane-finished floor. When scratches occur, they can be easily buffed and blended without removing furnishings. However, this benefit comes with a trade-off—consistent and proper maintenance is essential to preserve the beauty and longevity of any oil-finished floor.
FAQ'S
Are There Any Limitations as to Where Your Wood Floors Can Be Installed?
Brickell Wood Floors’ flooring is suitable for residential or commercial projects. It can be installed at, above, or below grade; in any room including kitchens and bathrooms; on radiant heat, concrete slab or plywood, and in a variety of environments.
Why Do I Need a “Cutting Allowance”?
Your installer will need to resize boards during the installation process. This can result in a small amount of waste that cannot be used. To ensure you do not run short during installation, plan ordering at least 10% more flooring than your actual square foot coverage. This is your cutting allowance.
What is Acclimation and How Does It Apply to my Project?
Your wood floors will absorb and release moisture depending on the environment in which they are installed. In some cases, it may be necessary to acclimate the wood prior to installation. This should be done within the structure, where the floors will be installed, and after the space has been conditioned to the in-service or expected “live in” conditions. Acclimation is not an exact science; your installer can help you plan for this process.
What is the Difference Between Your Solid Wood Flooring and Engineered Wood Flooring?
Brickell Wood Floors’s floors are available in ¾” solid and ¾” or ⅝” engineered constructions, both with a 4 mm wear layer. Our refinishing warranty guarantees at least three sandings over the life of your floor. The same wood will be used to make your floor whether you choose solid or engineered, so they will be virtually indistinguishable from each other once installed.
Is Brickell Wood Floors Eco-Friendly?
All Brickell Wood Floors' products are made from natural wood and adhere to strict ecological and safety standards. Our materials are regularly tested for formaldehyde emissions to ensure indoor air quality. All timber used in our flooring production is harvested through clean felling methods and environmentally responsible practices that do not contribute to the depletion of oak or ash forests. Brickell Wood Floors' mills work closely with local forestries, organizations, and environmental institutions to protect and preserve forest ecosystems and maintain sustainable reserves for future generations.
What is the Lead Time for my Material?
Lead times vary depending on material availability and current market conditions. The exact timeframe for your order will be confirmed at the time of purchase.
Do you Provide Installation Services?
Yes, we currently provide expert installation services for your wood flooring material in the FL and Southeast Coast area. For installation services outside the CA and West Coast area, please email joe@hugginsflooring.com for installation references in your area.
Do you Provide Sanding and Refinishing Services?
Yes, we currently provide expert sanding and finishing services for your wood flooring material in the FL and Southeast Coast area. For sanding and finishing services outside the FL and Southeast Coast area, please email joe@hugginsflooring.com for installation references in your area.
How Do I Set Up a Design Consultation?
We currently offer virtual consultations with a Wood Floor Specialist who will review your project details, perform a virtual walkthrough, and answer any questions you may have. To schedule, simply fill out our Virtual Consultation Request Form, and a representative will contact you shortly to confirm your appointment.
TRADE PROGRAM
JOIN THE BRICKELL WOOD FLOORS TRADE PROGRAM
A warm welcome to our friends in the trade! All professional architects, interior designers, developers, installers, and licensed general contractors are invited to join the Brickell Wood Floors Trade Program—a network designed to support your projects with exclusive access, expert resources, and premium materials.
BENEFITS
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Exclusive Discounts & Trade Pricing
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Concierge Services including a personally dedicated Trade Account Executive for one-on one support
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Extended Showroom hours exclusively for Trade Members
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Invitations to Private Events Free passes to Trade Shows where we exhibit
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Exclusive preview of new products
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Rights to professional photographs of completed spaces (location restrictions may apply)
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Ability to begin Representing The Brand
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Ability to join our Collaborations Corner and create a unique collection personalized for you Industry Updates
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Free Custom Flooring Samples
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Free "Lunch & Learns”
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Automatically entered into our yearly raffle
