Mattie’s Hardwood Flooring installs, refinishes and repairs hardwood floors for residential clients in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties. The company has the training and equipment to work on all types of solid wood, engineered and laminate flooring products, all of which can be installed with custom inlays, accent borders and other modifications.
Owner John Mattie says Mattie’s Hardwood Flooring’s customer-oriented business practices have been key elements of its success. “We take a lot of pride in what we do, so we always go above and beyond to ensure our clients get the best possible work. Quality is number one for us—we do the job correctly without any fluff, and if a problem arises, we face it head on and come up with a solution.”
Mattie’s Hardwood Flooring prioritizes quality control on every job, which Mr. Mattie says leads to a better value for its customers. “We follow a checklist at the end of every project and do a walkthrough with the client to confirm that we’ve met their expectations. We want to address all of their concerns before considering their job complete, which they really appreciate.”
“We work for our clients, so we do whatever it takes to make sure they’re completely satisfied with their projects. Whether we’re installing intricate inlays or doing simple scratch repairs, we treat each job with the same respect and do our best to produce beautiful results that last for years.”
When it comes to choosing the right flooring finish, it’s important to do your homework.
In recent years, increased environmental protections have caused flooring companies to change their methods. These changes weren’t always welcomed by industry insiders or consumers, but ongoing product improvements mean you can get the best of both worlds: a healthier home and a floor finish that lasts.
“Polyurethane finishes come in water-based and oil-based formulations,” explains John Mattie, owner of Mattie’s Hardwood Flooring in Petaluma. “It used to be that oil-based polyurethane was better, but with the laws against volatile organic compounds, there has been a big shift to water-based polyurethanes and they keep improving.”
Mr. Mattie says oil-based and water-based finishes are different, but newer products far outperform older ones. “They both have their pros and cons, but the benefits of water-based formulas are faster dry times, low VOCs and odors, harder shells, and extended longevity.”
For those who have busy households but still want wood floors, Mr. Mattie suggests getting an aluminum oxide finish. “It’s a factory finish that holds up better under heavy usage, but any scratches tend to stay visible,” he offers. “Polyurethane is a softer finish that has some self-healing properties, so scratches tend to blend back in.”
Pros and cons of water-based polyurethane hardwood floor finishes
Depending on where you live, you may not be able to choose oil-based finishes for environmental reasons, and many manufacturers aren’t even producing them anymore. Here’s what you should know about water-based finishes versus oil-based finishes:
Oil-based
- A strong smell and an amber tone that darkens over time
- A thick, smooth coating
- Less expensive than water-based finishes
- Longer dry times
Water-based
- Stays clear over time
- Very little smell
- Thinner with a less smooth finish
- Can be more expensive
- Dries faster, which means your flooring contractor can apply more than one coat in a day
Maintaining customer satisfaction is one of the hallmarks of any successful business, but it’s even more important for flooring installation companies that have earned Diamond Certified. For Mattie’s Hardwood Flooring, the most effective way to keep clients happy is to focus on their needs throughout every step of their projects. “Customer satisfaction is our top priority, so we always do what we say we’re going to do,” says owner John Mattie. “We take a lot of pride in our work, so our clients know they’re going to get high-quality flooring that lasts.”
Mattie’s Hardwood Flooring has been installing, refinishing and repairing hardwood floors for residential clients in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin Counties since 2012. The company has the in-house capabilities to work on all types of solid wood, engineered and laminate flooring products, all of which can be installed with modifications like inlays and accent borders.
Unlike flooring installers that hire inexperienced technicians in an effort to reduce their operating costs, Mattie’s Hardwood Flooring maintains a staff of industry professionals who know how to achieve superior results. “We have some younger crew members, but we always pair them with more experienced technicians so they can learn how to do things the right way,” says Mr. Mattie. “Our years of experience and dedication to quality control add up to a better value for our clients. They know we’re going to take the time to check our work and address their concerns before considering the job complete.”
Ultimately, Mr. Mattie sees Mattie’s Hardwood Flooring’s intermediate size as one of its biggest advantages. “Some flooring companies are able to do great work, but they’re either too big to be personal or they don’t have enough crew members to get the job done efficiently,” he explains. “Our schedule is more open than a lot of smaller companies, but we’re also able to offer personalized service in addition to expert installers. It’s the best of both worlds.”
