Hardwood floors

[Nirodac]

I'm currently shopping for prefininshed oak flooring, for the first time. The samples I've been finding all visually appear to have a grain, as you would expect, with oak. But when touching the surface I can feel no grain imprint. Looking at it at an angle shows no blemish or indent in the surface, it just looks flat and artifical. Is this a real "clear" finish on real oak or is it a printed on pattern. Looking at the end grain sort of gives the impression that it is the real grain, but how do they get it so damn smooth.

[Joe Bemier]

It is the difference between what can be accomplished in a highly sophisticated and controlled industrial process as compared to on-site. I am working on a job currently where they will use Giordano (sp?) flooring. I had a look at some samples and it is an incredible product. Somewhere around $15/sq/ft I believe.

[Andrew Williams]

, but how do they get it

Maybe a clear pore-filler?