Floresta Stone Core Hardwood by Nature's Impression

From Kennedy's product page, here is what goes into each board:

• A genuine hardwood veneer that is 1.2 mm thick. This is real wood you see and touch.

• DIAMONDGARD, a proprietary finish built into the veneer that Kennedy describes as using nano-technology to protect against wear and water.

• A stone core that is fully waterproof and gives the board its stability.

• An attached IXPE underpad to add comfort underfoot and help with sound.

Kennedy states that the wood veneer is water resistant for up to 96 hours, while the core itself is waterproof. In plain terms, the surface tolerates a spill left longer than you'd like, but we'd still say: wipe it up when you see it.

Installation. Floresta floats and clicks together with 2G and 5Gi locking joints. Kennedy says no glue and no staples are needed. That can make it simpler to install than a traditional nail-down or glue-down hardwood.

Large rooms. Kennedy rates it for installations up to 65 by 65 feet thanks to the stone core's dimensional stability, so it can cover a good-sized open main floor in one run.

Care. Kennedy says Floresta needs no special maintenance and is easy to clean, unlike some traditional hardwood floors.

Quieter floors. The pad comes attached, which saves a step and helps with footfall noise, something people often notice in two-storey homes and condos.

Kennedy publishes warranty coverage for Floresta in its documents. Ask us for the manufacturer's warranty and we'll go through it with you.

Edmonton winters are cold and very dry indoors, and solid hardwood can shrink and gap when humidity drops. As general advice, an engineered product with a stable core tends to move less than solid wood, which is a big part of why stone core hardwood is worth a look here. It isn't a promise for every home, and we'll still talk about humidity in your house.

A few places it can make sense:

• Main floors and open plans where you want real wood but have a busy household.

• Kitchens and dining rooms where spills happen.

• Homes where nail-down hardwood is awkward, since it floats instead of being fastened down.

If you're planning a basement, talk to us first. We'll look at the slab and the room before recommending any wood product below grade.

If you want a floor that can be sanded and refinished many times over decades, a traditional solid or engineered hardwood with a thicker wear layer may suit you better. If you mainly want a waterproof floor that looks like wood, Kennedy's stone core vinyl is the simpler choice. Floresta sits between the two: real wood on top, with a stable core underneath. Our hardwood flooring page covers the wider range we carry.

Our in-house crews install it following Nature's Impression's instructions, starting with a check of the subfloor's flatness and condition.