Yarbro Home Improvement LLC Hickory, Australian cypress. 2 off the top of my head

Ironwood Builders Brazilian cherry, Lyptus, "C" grade white oak, wide plank walnut.

tlm3p Thanks for the ideas!! Any good retailers to check?

Yarbro Home Improvement LLC Secret society up here in the Pacific Northwest with the speciality wood floors suppliers. Wholesale only to licensed hardwood floor installers. As a GC, I cant even buy from most of them, let alone get pricing. Conflict of interest.

Ironwood Builders I have accounts at two flooring suppliers....Where are you located tim3p?

tlm3p Thanks for the responses. We are in southern Illinois

Yarbro Home Improvement LLC Established hardwood floor installers in your area will have good resources

Ironwood Builders The Midwest is a big exporter of hardwoods. Your selection there will be good. Google hardwood flooring distributors in your area and call them about a visit. They may not sell to you directly, but will be happy to help you choose flooring...and will provide referrals for local contractors.

Lynne Forrestal I also want hardwood installed... have heard of lumber liquidators,any input about that source would be greatly appreciated. Never been there yet, but their ADS are interesting.

Ironwood Builders I don't shop at Lumber Liquidators. Sorry! The closest one to me is an hour away, each way, at 80mph. By the time I've factored in travel expenses (time and fuel)... It's no longer a good deal. My regular suppliers provide discounts and keep it competitive. While I have no idea of their stock, the name says to me that they get rid of overstock and short sale items...sort of the TJ Maxx of flooring. It really sucks to be 50 feet short of finishing a job and there isn't any more available.

Lynne Forrestal Ironwood Builders, thanks, I also am an hour away from the closest one, that's why I haven't "stopped in" yet :), I've never run short on anything in my life, I always OVER BUY! wonder if they take returns:), My independant contractor that I generally use, is a one man show, and he doesn't have any connections for special deals anywhere, so I am trying to get some discounts on my own... quality at the big box stores just don't seem to cut it , and not a great selection.

Linda Lumber Liquidators is not a source of quality products. For what you save in sq ft price, you will pay for in installation issues. Their materials have a higher amount of unusable product, missing tongues, narrow boards, splits, cracks, etc.

Lynne Forrestal thanks, I guess that I was assuming that! thanks