When planning a flooring project, one of the most important decisions is whether to choose custom hardwood floors or ready-to-ship hardwood floors. Both options can dramatically enhance a space, but they differ in cost, lead time, design flexibility, and long-term value.
When planning a flooring project, one of the most importantdecisions is whether to choose custom hardwood floors or ready-to-ship hardwoodfloors. Both options can dramatically enhance a space, but they differ in cost,lead time, design flexibility, and long-term value.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the pros and cons of eachoption so you can make an informed choice.
Custom Hardwood Floors
Custom hardwood floors are built and finished to your exactspecifications. Everything from wood species, plank size, grading, stain color,texture, and finish sheen can be tailored to your project. You get completecreative freedom. Whether you want to match cabinetry, replicate historicaldesigns, or develop a one-of-a-kind finish, custom hardwood floors allowprecise personalization. Wide planks,extra-long lengths, chevron patterns, or herringbone layouts are all possible.This level of flexibility is rarely available with ready-to-ship hardwoodfloors. That’s why bespoke flooring is the top choice for interior designers.
The biggest difference and advantage you get with customfloors versus ready-to-ship is the longer lengths. Custom floors aretraditionally start at 2 feet and go up to 10 or 12 feet mixed lengths.Ready-to-ship floors are usually only up to 6 or 7 feet long for the solereason to keep transportation costs low. There’s really no other reason sincetrees are way taller than 7 feet. Shipping containers and box trucks can fitpallets no wider than 8 feet, so manufacturers only make ready-to-ship floor upto that size to maximize what can fit.
This is another reason why custom hardwood floors are often viewed as a luxury feature thatincreases property value, especially in premium real estate markets. The longerplanks make large areas and rooms look more pleasing to the eye than shortplanks
Disadvantages of Custom Hardwood Floors
1. Longer Lead Times
Manufacturing andfinishing can take 6 to 16 weeks, which requires careful project scheduling.Because of higher costs, most manufacturers don’t have unfinished long lengthfloors ready to ship within days. They must get milled, glued up, and thencustom finished.
2. Higher Cost
Expect a 20–50%higher price compared to ready-to-ship hardwood floors due to specialized laborand small-batch production. Fame Hardwood’s custom hardwood flooring are almostall made in Los Angeles by our team of artisans.
3. Risk of Production Delays
Since the productis made to order, delays in raw material sourcing or finishing can impact yourproject’s timeline. It’s always a good idea to place the order early to giveenough time for these delays.
4. More Decision-Making Required
With so manycustomization options, clients may face decision fatigue, which can slow theapproval process. That’s where the expertise of the team members at FameHardwood can help direct the homeowners to the perfect floor.
Ready-to-ShipHardwood Floors
Ready-to-ship hardwood floors are prefinished products keptin stock and available for immediate delivery. They are manufactured instandard colors, sizes, and finishes that cannot be deviated from.
Advantages of Ready-to-Ship Hardwood Floors
1. Speed of Delivery
Most ready-to-shiphardwood floors can ship within days anywhere in the USA, keeping projects onschedule.
2. Lower Cost
Mass productionmakes these floors more affordable while still delivering the beauty of realhardwood.
3. Predictable Results
The sample youselect will match the product delivered, ensuring no surprises duringinstallation. Images of open boxes or cut samples pulled from existing boxesare a perfect way to see exactly what you’re getting before purchasing.
4. Stronger Protection
Many ready-madefloors have multiple top coats of UV finishes that help protect the floors fromtraffic and wear better than traditional finishes. Although, they can sometimesfeel more plastic-like than custom finishes.
Disadvantages ofReady-to-Ship Hardwood Floors
1. Limited Design Choices
You are restrictedto the manufacturer’s catalog. Custom colors, unusual sizes, or specialtyfinishes are rarely available.
2. Less Exclusive Look
Popularready-to-ship products may be used in many homes, which can reduce theuniqueness of your project.
3. Potential for Lower Quality
Somebudget-friendly ready-to-ship hardwood floors may have thinner wear layers orless durable finishes.
4. Size and Pattern Constraints
Extra-wide planks,long lengths, or intricate parquet designs are uncommon in mass-produced lines.
5. Discontinued Products
If a manufacturerdiscontinues a line, finding matching boards for future repairs can bedifficult.
Conclusion
The choice between custom hardwood floors and ready-to-shiphardwood floors depends on your priorities for time, budget, and design. Customoffers unmatched personalization and exclusivity, while ready-to-ship providesspeed, affordability, and convenience.
If you plan ahead and match the product to your projectneeds, either option can deliver a beautiful, durable hardwood floor thatenhances the value and style of your space.
About Fame Hardwood
At Fame Hardwood, we specialize in both custom hardwoodfloors and ready-to-ship hardwood floors. Our Melrose showroom and Chatsworthfinishing facility allow us to offer designers, architects, and homeownersunparalleled flexibility—whether you need a fully custom color and plank sizeor a high-quality prefinished floor delivered quickly.
We work with select-grade European oak, American hardwoods,and exotic species, offering both engineered and solid wood options. Our customfinishing department can match any inspiration photo, historic floor, ordesigner palette. For fast projects, we also maintain an inventory of premiumready-to-ship options that don’t compromise on style.
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Visit our Melrose showroom displaying our luxury woodflooring collections or call us today to discuss your project. Let’s create ahardwood floor that’s perfect for your space—whether it’s ready next week ormade just for you.
Fame Hardwood – Where Luxury Meets Versatility
📍 8444 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA
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