Why Steller Floors Chooses Quality Over Trends: Our Stance on Ultra-Wide, Ultra-Long, and Distressed Flooring

In the ever-evolving world of home design, trends come and go, but true quality stands the test of time. At Steller Floors, our commitment is to timeless elegance and enduring sustainability--which guides our decision not to offer ultra-wide, ultra-long, or distressed flooring varieties. Unfortunately, these popular trends don't align with our ethos of quality, durability, and environmental responsibility.

Quality Over Size: The Case Against Ultra-Wide and Ultra-Long Flooring: Ultra-wide and ultra-long planks have gained popularity for their bold aesthetic, but this comes at a cost – both in terms of durability and environmental impact. These over-sized planks, often found in engineered flooring, are - at their core - synthetic. Trees simply do not grow as big as many of these planks and so it is obvious at a glance that they are not authentic.

Instead, most engineered flooring planks are made of laminated sheets of wood. In the past, the use of Baltic Birch backers offered superior resilience to climate conditions, but following the war in Ukraine, most (if not all) of these options are embargoed, and have been replaced with massively inferior options. We will not make a product that won't last (for a variety of reasons), and so we refuse to seek out trendy sizes at the cost of quality.

At Steller Floors, we've chosen to standardize our plank widths at 5 inches, balancing aesthetics with the natural stability of wood. This decision ensures a longer lifespan for our floors, up to 100 years or more, surpassing the durability of over-sized options.

Authenticity in Every Grain: Why We Avoid Distressed Flooring: Distressed flooring, designed to look aged or weathered, has its charm, but at Steller Floors, we believe in the natural beauty and story of wood. Each plank we produce showcases the authentic grain and character of the wood species. Distressing techniques, often involving artificial aging processes, "hand scraping", saw marks and chains, not only compromise the wood's integrity but also detract from its natural elegance. In our minds, its like asking the dealership to scratch your band new car on the way off the lot -- definitely not cool.

Our flooring is finished with UV-cured polyurethane, enhancing the wood's innate beauty while offering robust protection against everyday wear and tear. This approach ensures that each floor matures gracefully, developing a patina that reflects its unique journey through time – a feature that artificially distressed flooring can never authentically replicate.

Sustainability and Ethical Practices: Core to Our Mission: In a world increasingly conscious of its environmental footprint, we at Steller Floors prioritize sustainability in every aspect of our business. Our floors are made entirely in the USA, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local economies. We power our manufacturing with 100% wind energy, and our floors are fully recyclable, aligning with our vision for a greener future.

Importantly, producing our high quality solid wood planks means each plank is jointed to become as flat as possible. Jointing very long boards puts workers at increased risk, which is outside the scope of what we are willing to do. Our mission to make floors that are great for our clients, or community and the planet -- it is contrary to that mission to put our team at any unnecessary risk.

Our decision not to produce ultra-wide, ultra-long, or distressed flooring is firmly rooted in our ethical business practices. We aim to produce floors that last a lifetime, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste. This philosophy extends to our community engagements and employment practices, ensuring that we contribute positively to both our environment and society.

Innovation and Customer Support: The Steller Difference: At Steller Floors, innovation is key. Our patented assembly clips allow for easy installation without nails or glue, making our floors not only environmentally friendly but also user-friendly. This DIY-friendly approach ensures that our floors can be easily repaired, removed, or reinstalled, offering unparalleled flexibility and convenience.

We back our products with extensive customer support, including a complimentary Zoom call to assist with installation. Our Knowledge Hub is rich with resources, ensuring that our customers have all the information they need to make informed decisions and maintain their floors for decades.

So, in a world chasing after the latest trends, Steller Floors stands firm in its commitment to quality, sustainability, and timeless design. By choosing not to sell ultra-wide, ultra-long, or distressed flooring, we uphold our values of environmental responsibility, product longevity, and authentic beauty. Our floors are a testament to the elegance that comes from respecting the natural world and prioritizing the well-being of our customers and planet.

As we continue to innovate and grow, our focus remains steadfast – to provide flooring that is not only beautiful and durable but also kind to our environment and supportive of our communities. We invite you to experience the Steller difference, where every floor tells a story of quality, sustainability, and timeless elegance.

Tags: #StellerFloors, #SustainableFlooring, #QualityOverTrends, #TimelessDesign, #HomeRenovation