We used Urban Floors, I think the color was Debussey. It is one of the lightest colors, very, very slightly whitewashed, but not noticeably. It is a lot like the Duchateau, but significantly less $$. I believe it's 9" wide. We went through a reputable flooring store with excellent Yelp reviews. Glue down. It's been great. About the knots and distressing: the samples they show you in the store typically have a lot more knots and distressing than you see when you look at the actual floor. I think they are trying to warn you with those sample boards! The floor is great. I don't know, with 5 dogs, there are probably scratches, but no one can see them. And no one can see the dog hair, either. We certainly don't baby it, and have been very happy.

Rift sawn white oak, sanded and finished on site, will give you the best look, virtually NO knots, but lovely grain. I'd call it a "forever" floor. Duchateau, and many of the engineered floors are striving for a "dry and matte" appearance, often with hard wax finish. ..... it's a look, but not sure I'd go there with little kids. Truthfully, nothing will stand the test of time like a medium nutty brown stain on a great oak flooring ( white)

Duchateau below in Lugano. It's a quality floor, great looking, and I'd not worry........except to watch black heel marks, or those from tricycles... Life's a bunch of choices , huh?

Here's rift sawn white oak with a clear/natural stain sanded in place. We were told we could only sand and stain engineered floors maybe once or twice. We are hard on floors with kids and dogs and were told by numerous people these would have more longevity.

We went with a 2 inch plank instead of the wider planks as this is a 1960s MCM home and the smaller ones are more period appropriate:

We have DuChateau and its working pretty well. It isn't distressed or knotty. Our dog doesn't damage it. My husband's boat shoes do leave scuff marks that are visible in certain light. There is some maintenance required. Overall its a casual, coastal look.

Thanks so much for all the advice. I love love love rift sawn oak, but always thought it was out of our price range. Do they have ones that are pre-finished or engineered wood that looks like rift sawn?

ejt24, what floor did you end up going with?

Yes would like to know too!! In the same
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