Real Cost of Getting It Wrong

You’ve heard it before: “Get the right floor—or regret it every time you walk on it.” What does that mean? At Tongue & Groove, countless homeowners and businesses in Denver suffer from poorly chosen or low-quality flooring, from cracked boards to costly replacements. In this post, we’ll explore the hidden costs of getting it wrong.

Why Choosing the Right Floor Matters

Hardwood flooring should look great. However, you should also note that it’s a long-term investment in comfort, durability, and resale value. According to the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA), properly maintained wood floors can last over a century. With that said, choosing the wrong product, finish, or installation process could shave decades off its lifespan, costing you time, money, and peace of mind.

True Costs of a Bad Flooring Choice

Making the wrong flooring choices has consequences. That’s why you have to be careful. Consider the following: 

  • Financial Drain: Replacing subpar flooring isn’t cheap. Even refinishing costs add up.
  • Time Loss: Waiting for repairs or replacements disrupts daily life or business.
  • Aesthetic Missteps: Incorrect wood tones or unstable materials can destroy an entire design.
  • Stress: Worrying about gaps, squeaks, or warping is no way to enjoy a space.

In short, a wrong decision can ripple far beyond your initial purchase. Take your time and don’t feel pressured into buying something you don’t want. 

How Tongue & Groove Helps You Avoid Regret

When you shop with Tongue & Groove, you won’t get it wrong. Instead, you’ll end with beautiful flooring that lasts. Here are some of the reasons to choose our team for all your wood flooring needs::

Expert Education

“Our Wood Floors 101 course helps you know whether engineered, prefinished, or site-finished is right for you—direct from your couch.” – Chris Keale, owner of Tongue & Groove.

Tongue & Groove offers unbiased guidance both in-store and online. Our knowledgeable staff and free starter modules help Denver customers make informed choices—deciding between solid vs. engineered or site-finished vs. prefinished—before you ever commit.

No-Shortcut Promise

We never cut corners. From multi-grit sanding to three commercial-grade finish coats, our installation and refinishing is painstakingly thorough—even in tough economic times when others skimp.

Mill‑Direct and Specialty Products

Our reclaimed woods, artisan finishes, and specialty installations (like chevron, inlays, and wood walls) offer beauty and value unavailable from big-box alternatives.

Service-Driven Experience

Serving residential and commercial clients, we show up on time, respect your space, pass strict background checks, and clean up daily. That’s part of our commitment to delivering more than a floor—it’s an experience.

Serving Denver with Integrity

Since 2007, Tongue & Groove has been the Front Range’s wood‑floor expert. We work with interior designers, real estate agents, builders, and developers across Denver—whether it’s museum-grade restorations or stylish suburban homes. Visit our Denver showrooms for hands-on learning, or start with our online course from anywhere in Colorado.

You Don’t Have to Get It Wrong

Getting the right floor isn’t just about looks—it’s about avoiding financial loss, stress, and disappointment. At Tongue & Groove, we provide education, craftsmanship, and integrity in every project.

“Buying hardwood is hard…if you pick the wrong product, the cost in time and money to replace your floor will be high.” – Tongue & Groove

Ready for a worry-free wood floor experience in Denver? Call for a free design consultation—or dive into Wood Floors 101. Once you enroll, we’ll credit your course fee toward your project. Win-win!

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Picture of Chris Keale

Chris Keale

Owner & Operator of Tongue & Groove Flooring
Wood Flooring 101 Course Creator

Chris Keale is the owner of Tongue & Groove and the creator of the Wood Floors 101 course, an educational resource that helps homeowners and design professionals make confident flooring decisions.

With a career that began in global technology and consulting, Chris traded boardrooms for floorboards, bringing his leadership skills and love of craftsmanship into the hardwood flooring industry. Since 2007, he has grown Tongue & Groove into one of Colorado’s most trusted flooring companies—built on a foundation of integrity, education and precision. 

Known for his sharp insight, dry humor and genuine commitment to his clients, Chris has helped homeowners, builders and designers through the complexities of choosing and installing hardwood floors. Whether teaching in the showroom, on a jobsite or through his Wood Floors 101, his mission remains the same: to simplify a complicated industry and deliver floors that stand the test of time.

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Quality Wood Floors Today!

Whether you are searching for new hardwood floors, working on an upcoming project or looking to learn more about wood floors, we are here to help.