When we first started carrying Hallmark Floors at our Mokena, Illinois, showroom, I’ll be honest. We thought we knew everything about hardwood flooring. However, after spending time with their product training, we realized Hallmark Floors offers something genuinely different in today’s market.

Let me share what we’ve learned from years of helping customers choose the perfect floors for their homes.

The Two Hallmark Floors Finish Types That Changed Our Perspective

Hallmark Floors - Novella in Hawthorne Oak

Hawthorne Oak from the Novella hardwood flooring collection by Hallmark Floors

Most customers walk into our showroom asking about durability and maintenance. Frankly, we get it. Nobody wants to invest in beautiful floors only to worry about every scratch or spill.

TrueMark Polyurethane: Maximum Scratch Resistance

TrueMark isn’t just another polyurethane finish. It contains aluminum oxide additives. Think of aluminum oxide as protective particles throughout the finish. It’s actually the second hardest surface known to man.

Here’s what happens when something sharp hits your floor. Instead of digging deep, it skates across those microscopic aluminum oxide particles. Consequently, you get excellent upfront scratch resistance and consistent appearance over time.

We’ve seen TrueMark floors in customer homes after five years. They maintain their original beauty remarkably well. Additionally, maintenance stays simple with standard polyurethane floor cleaners.

New Oil Finish: Self-Conditioning Properties

Hallmark’s New Oil finish offers a completely different approach. Their New Oil finish isn’t traditional oil flooring that needs constant reapplication.

Instead, it’s UV-cured during manufacturing. This means it dries instantly and becomes permanent. However, here’s the unique feature. When you clean with the special oil cleaner, about 3% contains oil that soaks into the wood.

Over time, minor scratches become less noticeable as the wood is conditioned by the oil. We’ve had customers appreciate how their floors develop character while maintaining beauty. Moreover, the maintenance routine stays exactly the same as any other floor.

Why Pet Owners Love These Hallmark Floors Options

Last month, a customer came in with two 115-pound dogs. She was worried about nail scratches and wanted our honest opinion.

Here’s what we told her, and it applies to all pet owners. Large dogs typically don’t scratch the finish itself. Instead, their nails create small impressions in the wood underneath.

Both finishes handle pet wear well. The TrueMark polyurethane offers excellent initial scratch resistance. Meanwhile, the New Oil finish helps soften the appearance of any marks that do occur over time.

For pet owners, we typically recommend starting with color and design preferences. Then, we explain which finish comes with their chosen style.

The Construction Details That Set Hallmark Floors Apart

After selling flooring for years, we’ve learned to look beyond surface beauty. Frankly, what’s underneath matters just as much.

Veneer Quality Makes the Difference

Most budget-engineered hardwood uses rotary-peeled veneers. Picture peeling an apple in one continuous strip. That’s rotary peeling, and it doesn’t show authentic wood grain patterns.

Conversely, Hallmark Floors uses sliced face and dry-sawn veneers. These methods cut through the tree’s growth rings. As a result, you get genuine wood grain that looks like solid hardwood.

Additionally, veneer thickness determines refinishing options:

Hardwood Plywood Core: The Hidden Upgrade

Here’s something most customers never think about. What’s under your beautiful veneer?

Most engineered floors use pine plywood cores. Pine is soft, which means less impact resistance. However, Hallmark Floors uses hardwood plywood made from eucalyptus and Baltic birch.

This means your entire floor is truly hardwood, not just the top layer. Consequently, you get better dent resistance and overall durability.

Board Length: Why Size Really Matters

Hallmark Floors - Serenity in Tranquil Oak

Tranquil Oak from the Serenity hardwood flooring collection by Hallmark Floors

We are often asked about board lengths during our showroom consultations. Specifically, customers worry about getting too many short pieces.

Budget floors often average 18 to 20 inches per board. Meanwhile, Hallmark’s entry-level Novella collection averages 28 inches. Their premium collections get even longer.

Why does this matter? Longer boards create fewer seams and a more luxurious appearance. Fewer seams also mean easier cleaning and maintenance.

Maintenance Myths We Help Customers Navigate

One of the biggest misconceptions involves oil finish maintenance. Customers often think it requires special schedules or complicated procedures.

Actually, both Hallmark Floors finishes clean identically. You spray the cleaner, wipe with a microfiber mop, and you’re done. The floor dries in minutes with no residue.

The only difference? You need the correct cleaner for your finish type. We recommend Bona cleaners, which are available on Amazon. When you register your Hallmark floor warranty, they’ll send you a gift card to purchase your first bottle.

Our Insider Shopping Tips for Hallmark Floors

After helping hundreds of customers choose Hallmark Floors, we’ve developed some strategies that work well.

First, focus on color and design, not finish type. Each collection comes with either New Oil or TrueMark. You can’t change the finish, so love the look first.

Second, check the sample tags carefully. They clearly show which finish comes with each style. This prevents disappointment later in the selection process.

Finally, consider your lifestyle honestly. Both finishes perform excellently, but they give different advantages for different situations.

Why We Recommend Seeing Hallmark Floors in Person

Hallmark Floors - Ventura in Seashell Oak

Seashell Oak from the Ventura hardwood flooring collection by Hallmark Floors

Pictures and descriptions only tell part of the story. The quality difference is obvious when you see and feel these floors in person.

At our Mokena showroom, we keep extensive Hallmark Floors displays. Moreover, our team can show you the construction details that set these floors apart.

We believe informed customers make better decisions. We explain veneer thickness, core construction, and finish benefits. We also review maintenance requirements and long-term expectations.

The Bottom Line About Hallmark Floors

After years of experience with multiple flooring brands, Hallmark Floors consistently impresses us and our customers. The premium construction, innovative finishes, and reasonable pricing create exceptional value.

Both finish options offer distinct advantages. TrueMark provides superior upfront scratch resistance, while New Oil offers ongoing conditioning benefits. You really can’t go wrong with either choice.

Experience the Hallmark Floors difference firsthand. Visit our showroom today or book your free consultation now. Let us help you find your perfect hardwood floor. Contact us to take the first step toward beautiful new flooring.