This very well could be my ignorance or naivety, but I just called Lumber Liquidators and was told that prefinished solid hardwood flooring only comes in micro-tapered (or beveled) and not in square-edged form.
I presume the micro-bevel is just a fine taper and not easily seen. Is this an industry condition, or is this just something about LL’s products? I am 100% unwilling to make another 90-mile trip to the nearest LL as the last time I couldn’t even get into their office/building and parked about 1000′ from their property. As such, I have only seen what I believed to be square-edged and regular beveled-edged prefinished flooring.
Any enlightenment would be great. I am just trying to not see edges highlighted from a taper or bevel.
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The reason for the bevel or micro bevel on the edges is to allow the finish (varnish) to adhere to the corner. Varnish will not remain for long, if at all, on a sharp 90º edge.
If you want a wood style floor with no visible seams there are 2 options.
I guess then that what I was really seeing was a micro-bevel prefinish solid hardwood then at Floor & Decor last weekend. Its prefinished and as you say only comes in beveled or micro-beveled. I also suspect that the monkeys at HD are loosely using the term square-edge when they really mean micro-beveled.
Honestly, though, I just want what is already in my home. I am doubting its was unfinished, but it is 3/4" solid hardwood (chestnut oak) in 2.25" wide strips. If what was already in my home was prefinished then according to your information it must be micro-beveled (as Ive seen regular bevel and its easily noticed.
Hmm, maybe I need to take a couple of close-up pictures ...
Gordzco left out one option - you can have prefinished engineered with the square edges (this is not laminate in the flooring sense of the word since it is real wood). I know that both Lauzon and WFI (Wood Flooring International) make theirs with square edges. I understand that Mirage also does, but I haven't seen it. Some of these brands have a thick show layer so can be refinished. WFI's show layer goes all the way down to the tongue, so you can refinish it as many times as you would solid of comparable thickness. Or if you go for bamboo the stuff we got from Bamboo Hardwoods several years ago was square edged.