While I’m definitely not a pro, I did just have 2000 sq ft of hardwood installed. My first question is can’t the long lengths be cut to varying? I did a quick google on engineered floors and it seems like it could be an option. Ultimately I decided against engineered because I didn’t want the bevels at the joints and I wanted the whole floor sealed so debris doesn’t fall through. We had planned an varying widths, but with supply chain issues we were delayed on anything 5+inches, so we ended up with 4” hickory and it’s beautiful (IMO).The smaller widths also saved us money and didn’t need to be glued like the 5+” needs to be. Here’s a picture, we went with Duraseal Provincial and a satin poly.

Rene- thank you for response,

Sorry, hit post before completing. Your floors are beautiful! I have asked our Project Manager to check with his flooring guy to see if lengths can be cut. Waiting for response. If his guy confirms this is a possibility, we will go with that option. Concerned about supply issues and looking for a Plan B. Will also google as well. Actually had not thought about looking into hardwoods. Will look at that as an option as well. Thanks again!

I looked up that Reward flooring, it’s beautiful. All the pictures show very natural wood. For what it’s worth, here’s a picture of our Hickory before any stain, I was so tempted to leave it natural. Of course Hickory has more variation than other woods, but might give you an idea.

Nice! Thank you for the photo! Here is a photo of the Reward sample. I am going to look into the Duraseal.

Taken further back. In engineered the problem is finding smooth, so much is wire brushed which we have now.

Sorry, not 100% with it this morning. Now realize Duraseal is your stain. 🥴 Need to take my walk and clear head. This weekend is final push before reno on Monday. We are living in, so setting up our temporary kitchen weighs heavy on my mind. Have learned so much from Houzzers - let’s get this party started!

OK...here's the skinny on how LONG these planks are: This is STRAIGHT from their webpage for Europa Oak Rhine (which is exactly what you show in the pic). Here's the web page:

5" wide 7' long European Oak Prime Grade engineered hardwood flooring - rewardflooring

1. SPECIES: European Oak
2. THICKNESS: 9/16" WIDTH: 5-1/2" LENGTH: RL (23" - 86-5/8")
3. TOP LAYER: 3.5mm
4. TEXTURE: Smooth, micro-beveled edges
5. GRADE: Prime
6. BACKING: 3 Ply Lumber
7. FINISH: UV Urethane w/ Aluminum Oxide
8. SHEEN: Ultra-matte

Please notice the VARIATION between 23 INCHES and 86 INCHES. That means you can EXPECT 2ft long boards. And you can expect 7ft long boards. And everything in between.

I know you're head is swimming, but you have FOUND exactly what you are looking for. It's right there in the description.

I would STOP searching and go for it. It is PRECISELY what you are looking for.

Relax...someone told you a bit of a 'weird' statement if they said it ONLY comes in 7' lengths.

A floor that is ONLY in 7ft lengths is more like $20/sf...not $8-$10/sf.

SJ McCarthy- EXACTLY! I also thought it came in a variety of lengths but contacted a large, reputable company in our area to inquire about inventory. They contacted Reward and came back with ‘only available in 7’ lengths’, so thinking it’s a supply issue. On Monday, I’m going to call Reward myself.

Received sample box of Rewards Europa Rhine. All planks are 7’ lengths. Contacted Rewards directly. Rep tells me they ship all 7’ length planks and ‘Score’ the planks at two feet so installer has option of installing as is w/ score or cutting to length.

Discussed with my PM and agreed this sounds crazy. Cuts would not be beveled at ends. Additionally, sample box contained one plank with white squiggly marks. If you look closely at this photo from their website you can see these marks on top plank.

So, I am back to square one on flooring search.

Those 'white' marks are how the wood is CUT. You will notice you are NOT seeing the cathedral arches of the rest of the planks. That looks to be rift or live cut. If you see it in the pics and in the sample box....you can be guaranteed it will come this way from the factory.

The long lengths are a premium product. You may have to sacrifice your budget OR you sacrifice your options that you want in how the wood looks. For me, the $8/sf is a snick low. The $10/sf is the starting point.

The mixed cuts (that I'm seeing in the sample = same as the box you received) is how they keep the price down. If you go up in cost, you can get what you want. The width is also pushing the budget push into the upper side of things.

The 5/8" thickness worries me. I prefer to see thicker but NARROWER. The thicker the plank is, the higher the quality. You want to get as close to the 3/4" thickness as possible. If you need to satisfy the width part, you will have to give up on the thickness.

I would say you are VERY close to what you want. The clean look, no knots, the long lengths can be varied on site.

You are batting 9/10 things you are looking for. The 'cut' of the 'white blotches' is natural. If you are SUPER concerned about it, purchase another 100 - 200 sf. Cull the stuff you don't want to be used and BUNDLE it with a message that reads: do NOT install (that means the HOMEOWNER gets in there and removes them).

If you are happy to keep looking, then go ahead. If you are 90% happy with what you are looking at, then go with it. Most people will accept a 75% match to their requirements. Your match is MUCH better than most.

It's your call.

SJ McCarthy, I agree with you to a point. The planks do not come in a variety of lengths. They are scored, not cut through. This would not bother me much except they were only scored at the two foot point, not at various lengths throughout the sample box. My other concern is that my contractor does not endorse it. His concern is my concern. The squiggly white lines could be pulled out losing one out of each box ( this is an assumption). I have a plan B that I am researching. Stay tuned. BTW, price on Rewards is $9.49/sq foot. This would fall within my budget.

Rene Newen beautiful floors! Are those REWARD floors?

@Jill Hilts Do you mind sharing what you ended up with? I’m having the same criteria as you stated but no luck so far. I was looking at Reward as well but the colors are not quite right for me.

After ordering two sample cases of Reward we ended up going with Panaget. We went with the matte finish and love it!

https://www.panaget.com/en/timeless-natural-hues/wood-floor-oak-classic-satin-diva-184

Thank you for responding. Love the photos, the floors look great and your house too, it’s full of personality, not cookie cutter what you see everywhere.
I looked at many vendors and never saw Panaget, I guess it’s not sold in my area, Seattle. Their website is not helpful in that regard, but I plan to look into it.
Could you please tell me what Regard floors you ordered and why you decided against it? Thanks!

@ Jill Hilts

What is beautiful floor selection you have made! Lovely kitchen too.

@lidiap - thank you for your lovely comments. My sister and I became our own designers when we found hiring a designer would put us well over budget. We spent a lot of time on Houzz and watching HGTV. When I discovered deVOL kitchens I finally began to find elements that were not cookie cutter and began to formulate a plan. They now have their own program on Magnolia Network. The kitchen wall sconces are from deVOL which only became possible because we saved on a designer. 😉 not to say I recommend not hiring a designer. If I had it to do over again I would find a way to budget for a one. The Rewards floor we ordered a sample of were Buttercup + one other I don’t recall right now. The issue was with the lack of lengths ( see my comment earlier in this thread ) and the color leaned toward to orange for what we were looking for.

@lidiap- the California rep for Panaget is Manjari, her email is m.rana@eagleflooringca.com, she may know of a rep in your area.

@Jill Hilts Thank you. I’ll message the Panajet rep, it’s worth a try although, like I said, I haven’t seen them anywhere.