The Family-Owned Difference: Personal Service and Expertise

websitebuilder • February 17, 2020
Wooden Car — Oklahoma City, OK — Temple Johnson Floor Company
This is the era of the big retailer. Big box stores have moved into even many small communities, causing the well-known “Walmart Effect” which drives smaller stores out of business. The convenience of higher buying power, central locations, and a wide variety of merchandise, makes big boxes the main choice for many consumers.

But not every small retailer goes under. Even in the era of the big box, some stores and installers are thriving. What makes the difference?

Personal Service from a Family-Owned Business

Small retailers actually have a distinct advantage in a couple of ways. One of the biggest is personal service and expertise.

Older businesses that haven’t been driven out of business by big boxes have an advantage that Walmart, Lowes, and Home Depot can’t bring to the table — they know their customers intimately. They are often embedded in the fabric of the community they live in. That’s what sets Temple Johnson apart.

We’ve been in business since 1927 and, consequently, we’ve built deep roots in the community. That means we know people and their preferences, we know what sells and what works in this area of the country, and we’re willing to take the time to get to know you better than a big box store.

Your local name-brand big box hardware store may have installers, but the people in that job turn over frequently—talk to someone one year and they may be gone by the next. That’s not the case here. We’ve been a family owned business for almost a hundred years, so you know the people you’re getting now are probably the same people you’re going to be talking to the next time you get your floors done — even if it’s years from now. Our personal service will be here now, tomorrow, and in the future.
Panoramic View of Wooden Flooring — Oklahoma City, OK — Temple Johnson Floor Company

Time-Tested Expertise

Many hardwood flooring installers haven’t been at it for all that long. That means you can run into issues with your install—with moisture, understanding of the product, or figuring out what works the best for your house and your needs. Larger national chains can suffer from a “jack of all trades, master of none” problem. They want to be all things to all men, but that can mean they’re not as expert as they should be about some of the specifics.

Here at Temple Johnson, we’ve been installing wood flooring and wood flooring only for the entire time we’ve been in business. We know what it takes to install a proper hardwood floor in Oklahoma. There are plenty of flooring stores in OKC, but we bring a difference in craftsmanship few can match.

In the flooring industry, craftsmanship is often overlooked because people don’t know enough about what they’re doing. It takes constantly being on top of the latest improvements in hardwood floor installation, as well as knowing what’s come before. Installation may be more automated than it was in years past, but there’s always a place for fine craftsmen who know their trade well.

Wood texture and the finish matter as well. Advances in vapor barriers and adhesives make it easier to adhere floors to the underlying materials and keep moisture out. Creating a proper finished surface takes an understanding of the material, the methods and the finishes, and, because wood flooring is the only thing we do, we have that understanding.

Some people decide they want to install their wood flooring themselves. It’s definitely possible to do if you’re armed with a few YouTube tutorials and some tools. But if you ask many of the people who’ve tried to DIY their own floors, it’s a harder road than they might have planned for. Many people run into issues when they decide it’s time to try for themselves. Sanding and finishing wood flooring is a lot harder than it looks. Divots and dips caused by the sander can sometimes show up after the floor is finished even if it seems like the work is going well in the moment. It takes a patient person with a steady hand to get a finish right, and if you’re not careful the stain can come out streaky instead of clean.
Old Photos of Crew in Temple Johnson Floor Company — Oklahoma City, OK — Temple Johnson Floor Company

The Crew Difference

Our crew has a combined 150 years of experience with a huge variety of ages. Each of our crew leaders has apprenticed under other people who know their trade well until they are ready and capable of running their own crew.

There’s an attention to detail and commitment to the craft of hardwood flooring from every one of our crew members. Our workers know the craft, and they’re the ones who make our personal service truly special.

It may take longer than some other outlets you could go with, but it takes time to produce quality. We hire people who do the job right and have proven it over many years in the field.

Temple Johnson’s strives to be the premier hardwood flooring store in the metro—we know what it takes to do the install right.

Big Box vs. Family Owned

People have the misconception that big box stores will almost always have a better price than local family-owned businesses. But price is not the only thing you should use to make your choice. It is only one of the factors that goes into choosing what company you should use. We stake our claim on quality hardwood flooring, not just selling you material to do it yourself. We’re craftsmen, not just retailers. Our installation technicians and sales people know their business.

Our personal service sets us apart from all the other flooring stores in OKC—that’s the Temple Johnson difference. Our capable installation crews, knowledgeable sales staff and legacy of quality mean that we can offer the best to anyone who wants a wood floor in their home.When you want a wood floor, choose Temple Johnson. Call us today at 405-842-0112 and find out what we can do for your home. We’ll make sure you get the quality installation your home deserves.
By Bryan Jones April 14, 2025
Engineered wood flooring is quickly becoming a top pick for homeowners who want the elegance of hardwood with the added benefit of durability. Made with multiple layers of wood, including a hardwood veneer on top and stable plywood underneath, this type of flooring is built to last through changing seasons and daily wear and tear. If you’re looking for a flooring option that blends beauty with practical performance, engineered wood is a game-changer. It brings the timeless look of traditional hardwood without many of its downsides. The Advantages of Engineered Hardwood Flooring: There are many reasons why Oklahoma City homeowners are choosing this versatile flooring option: • Climate Compatibility: Oklahoma’s seasonal changes bring humidity and dryness. Engineered wood handles moisture fluctuations better than solid hardwood, reducing the risk of warping or gapping. • Design Flexibility: It comes in a wide range of wood species, finishes, plank sizes, and textures—perfect for both modern and rustic interiors. • Ease of Installation: With options for glue-down, nail-down, or floating installation, it works well in a variety of spaces and over different subfloors. • Sustainability: Engineered wood uses less hardwood overall and often incorporates renewable resources in its layered construction. • Low Maintenance: Simple sweeping and occasional damp mopping are enough to keep it looking great. Best areas to Use Engineered Wood Flooring: One of the greatest benefits of engineered wood flooring is its adaptability. Engineered planks can go just about anywhere. Popular installation areas include: • Living rooms • Bedrooms • Dining rooms • Finished basements • Entryways • Kitchens (with proper sealing) Its stability makes it especially suitable for rooms that experience temperature or humidity shifts throughout the year. Engineered Wood Flooring in Oklahoma Homes: When remodeling or building, Temple Johnson Floor Company is a reliable choice that offers long-term value. It provides the aesthetic warmth of hardwood and the structural benefits of modern engineering. Many families love how it brings coziness into a space while holding up to kids, pets, and heavy foot traffic. Because of its layered construction, it also works well over radiant heating systems and concrete slabs, where solid hardwood may not be an option. Maintenance Tips for Long-Lasting Floors: To keep your engineered floors in top condition: • Place mats at entrances to catch dirt • Use furniture pads to avoid scratches • Clean spills promptly with a damp (not wet) cloth • Avoid steam cleaning or harsh chemical cleaners Following these steps helps preserve the finish and extends the life of your flooring. Ready to Explore Engineered Wood Flooring?: Engineered wood flooring offers the perfect balance of style, comfort, and performance. Whether you’re renovating a single room or planning a whole-home update, this flooring delivers long-term beauty and value. To get expert guidance and high-quality options, call Temple Johnson Flooring at (405) 842-0112 or contact us online https://www.templejohnsonfloorco.com/flooring-quote for your personalized flooring quote.
By Bryan Jones March 13, 2025
Spring is here! We understand that natural urge to wash away the previous year and start fresh by cleaning your home from the ceiling all the way down to that gorgeous hardwood floor, so we've come prepared to help! Here is the general cleaning process that we recommend to all of our hardwood flooring customers (that don’t have a wax finish on top, that is*), which should help alleviate any concern about what is and isn’t safe to clean your wood flooring with. Fortunately, the routine is quite simple! We recommend cleaning your floors bi-weekly, and as needed to accommodate for unforeseen daily messes and spills, with a dust mop or microfiber pad, and a cleaner such as Bona brand Wood Floor Cleaner. Be mindful of getting just the bottle that reads “Wood Floor Cleaner” or “Professional Wood Floor Cleaner”, and NEVER purchase any product that states that it “Polishes, Shines, and/or Restores in 1 Coat”. BONA’s wood floor cleaner is non-toxic, and unlike other wood floor cleaners it doesn’t leave behind streaks or residue if applied properly. Beyond regular weekly cleaning, feel free to use your wood floor cleaner to clean up after a spill or on tougher stains and residue build-up. STEP #1: Sweep and/or dust mop with a soft-bristled broom or pad. (The specific product pictured below is just an example, anything similar that doesn't have any abrasive elements will work perfectly fine!)
By Bryan Jones February 4, 2025
Worried about your family's furriest member scratching up your wood flooring? Don't fret! Beyond the fact that all of us at Temple Johnson simply love dogs & cats, we also extend that passion to the wood flooring that they and the rest of your family live on. Although there isn’t any one specific way to curb the scratching that your furry friends can and will inevitably inflict upon your wood flooring, we’ve provided some tips and small strategies that can actually help keep your floor looking nice!
December 23, 2024
This is a wonderful write-up on 12 different common household situations that can very well lead to the degradation and destruction of your home's hardwood flooring, and the article was written originally by Mark Melendres of Home Decor Bliss, and the link to the article itself can be found at the bottom of this page! 
By Bryan Jones September 12, 2024
A beautifully stained hardwood floor grabs our senses in the same way an extraordinary painting does. The artist’s subject, color choices and perspective pull us in for a closer examination. When studying handsome hardwood floor designs, our eyes are entertained the same way. We are fascinated by the way the light reflects different shades and even a sense of movement in the wood grain. The appeal of the room is enriched not only by the chosen hue of the stain but also the particular species of the wood flooring. All the customer’s personal preferences act together to form the impression they want the floor to make. Just as a painter juggles the elements of a canvas—the subject, size, tone, and effect—stain color choices start with the aesthetics of the owner/creator. Plenty of us “know what we like” and are ready to jump in on our own. And why not? Examples of wood floors are plentiful for us to check out. Websites like Pinterest, or hardwood flooring company’s sites offer inspiring examples that may be just what you are looking for. However, most people would rather have an experienced studio artist paint their portrait. Why not use a hardwood floor specialist as “a guide by your side” through the entire process? Temple Johnson Flooring, a century-old, family-owned business that has treated clients like family for decades, is the perfect place to find this support. Owners Bryan Jones and Matt Sparks are hardwood floor specialists who represent decades of experience. They have the talent to listen to what you want and make it happen.
May 7, 2024
The real world demands a lot of people’s time today. We’re asked to fill out endless questionnaires, for instance, before every doctor’s appointment. Ask yourself: how long did you have to sit on hold to speak to a real person at a corporation? It sometimes seems unreal, the red tape people are subjected to today. What may be surprising, and also real, is that a huge project such as buying engineered hardwood flooring today is simpler and more cost effective than ever. It’s amazing how many expenses have been removed from the process. In most cases it costs less than traditional hardwood flooring, but is also easier to install, so complex scheduling over several weeks has become a headache of the past. One common misconception about engineered flooring is that when people hear the term, they assume it is a man-made veneer, not real wood. At Temple Johnson Floor, after clients see the engineered showroom samples, owners Bryan Jones and Matt Sparks are always asked the same question. “Is that real wood?” And their answer is always, “It absolutely is.” Engineers and flooring specialists have come up with an ingenious new way to craft real wood floors. It is here and growing larger every day. For reference, traditional wood floors are solid hardwood planks installed over plywood decking, then sanded and stained on the job site. Traditional floors require more procedures that all have to be coordinated with the client and other workers on the premises (painters, electricians, for example). Engineered floors are constructed using several layers of real wood, which is uniquely configured. On top sits the real hardwood veneer, firmly supported by ¼” layers of crisscrossed different species of wood. It is available finished or unfinished.
January 9, 2024
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of someone that was integral to Temple Johnson Floor Company, Jerry Sparks. As a family owned-and-operated company, this was a heavy blow. We would like to take this opportunity to reflect on the innumerable amount of people that he touched the lives of through his work here at Temple Johnson, and the flooring industry in general, customer or otherwise. While his servant’s heart led Jerry’s life, he also led by example with his hands, accomplishing a profound amount as a small business owner and as an inspiration to others through his hard work. Upon purchasing the company in 1978 from Pauline Johnson & Jimmy Martin, Jerry owned and operated Temple Johnson Flooring Company from 1979 to 1992. He then sold the business to his brother-in-law and promptly started his own home-building business, Chance Matthew Homes, named after his sons.
By Bryan Jones September 15, 2023
Hardwood flooring is enjoying a popular resurgence in Herringbone, a familiar and ancient pattern. The design gets its name from the delicate skeletal structure of herring. The fish’s bones slant in a V-shape pattern as they spread away from the spine. This is a fantastic example of the general structure we're talking about here:
By Bryan Jones July 5, 2023
Are you looking to upgrade the aesthetics of your home while adding a touch of elegance and warmth? Look no further than Temple Johnson Flooring here in Oklahoma City! We are thrilled to present our exceptional collection of hardwood flooring options to help you elevate the beauty of your living spaces to new heights. With our extensive range of high-quality hardwood materials and professional installation services, we are committed to helping you achieve the home of your dreams. Let's dive into the captivating world of hardwood flooring and explore why it is the ideal choice for homeowners seeking sophistication and durability. There's a reason why hardwood flooring has remained a timeless classic since the advent of human history. Its natural beauty and warm tones bring a sense of vibrancy and luxury to any room. We accomplish this with the help of a wide variety of wood species, grains, and finishes offered here at Temple Johnson, which in turn affords you the ability to choose a style that perfectly complements your interior design preferences and goals. From the rich, traditional hues of oak to the exotic allure of Brazilian cherry, all of our hardwood flooring options will create an ambiance that reflects your unique personality and tastes, and ultimately enhance the overall aesthetic of your home. Wood flooring has brawn to back up all that beauty, as well! Investing in hardwood flooring means investing in longevity. With proper care and maintenance, hardwood floors can withstand the test of time, maintaining their beauty and structural integrity for decades on end. Our hand-selected wood flooring brands that we've partnered with are crafted using the finest materials and expert craftsmanship, ensuring durability and longevity. Whether you have a busy household with kids and pets or you simply want flooring that can withstand daily wear and tear, our hardwood floors are designed to stand up to the challenges of essentially any lifestyle. With all of that in mind, it becomes quite clear that one of the greatest advantages of hardwood flooring is its versatility. It effortlessly complements a wide range of interior styles, from traditional to modern and everything in between. The rich undertones and different tones brought out by simply changing the wood floor stain can help it remain adaptable to your interior design changes over a lifetime. Because of this, here at Temple Johnson we offer an extensive selection of finishes, stains, and plank sizes to cater to your individuality and creative preferences for your home. Whether you desire a rustic farmhouse look, a sleek and modern contemporary vibe, or a timeless traditional feel, our hardwood flooring options can be customized to match your vision. Keeping your hardwood floors looking pristine is surprisingly simple! Regular sweeping and occasional gentle mopping with Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner is all it really takes to maintain their natural luster. A recent EPA study also found that hardwood floors greatly reduce the accumulation of toxins. Unlike carpet that trap dust, allergens, and pet dander, hardwood floors are hypoallergenic and contribute to improved indoor air quality, and in a state like ours with allergens abound, this increased air quality is truly a life-changer for many of us. With hardwood flooring from Temple Johnson Flooring, you can enjoy a cleaner and healthier living environment, perfect for individuals with allergies or respiratory sensitivities.
By Bryan Jones June 14, 2023
French Parquet wood flooring was originally designed to replace historic estates’ stone and marble floors. Those rigid surfaces eventually wreaked havoc on the mansions’ enormous wood frameworks. Parquet wooden floors, on the other hand, built using 3’ x 3’ square units, proved far more forgiving than the historic rock-hard surfacing. Not only did French Florentine Parquet prove architecturally functional, but also became universally famous for its eye-catching designs. Recently, Temple Johnson Floor was approached about a custom wood floor design. It called for scaling down a French parquet’s standard 3’ x 3’ squares to only 2’ x 2’. Clients could never order such a one-of-a-kind design through today’s big box, wholesale flooring stores, who depend on volume sales. It would be difficult to order them from anywhere, really, even though the clients had hoped to begin as soon as possible.
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