Figuring out the best wood flooring for your home can be an overwhelming process, even if you’ve gone through it before. Breaking down the steps that cover the most important factors can help simplify the process and ease much of the stress. If you’ve been considering what type of wood flooring will best suit your home, consider the following tips.
1. Solid or Engineered Hardwood?
There are two types of hardwood available on the market today: solid and engineered. Knowing the benefits of both can quickly narrow down which flooring is best for you.
Solid hardwood flooring is made from a single, solid piece of milled hardwood, hence the name. Popular species include cherry, maple, walnut, and oak. The installation requires nailing the wooden planks into the subfloor, which is a more technical process. Finally, 100% hardwood floors are water resistant but not waterproof, meaning you will need to be careful with moisture and clean the floors without using a mop. This type of flooring is best suited in areas outside of the kitchen.
Engineered hardwood flooring has multi-layered planks made with a 100% natural hardwood top layer and a strong, stable plywood core underneath. This type of wood flooring is often considered DIY friendly and can usually be interlocked or glued for the installation. And while this type of flooring is also not waterproof, it is more water resistant than solid hardwood flooring.
2. What level of durability do you really need?
No matter how tough a wood floor is, without proper care, it can become worn or even scratched. If your home is filled with high-traffic areas with children or pets, you will want to consider hardwoods with higher durability.
Hardwood Rating: Every species of hardwood has a hardness rating. Maple, Hickory, and Oak are some of the hardest woods available, while pine, cedar, and spruce are softwoods. The harder the wood, the more of a beating it can take.
Protective Coats: When shopping for flooring, ask about what protective coatings are available for each type.
Water Resistance: It’s true. When we think of hardwood floors, we do not usually think “waterproof.” However, some types of hardwood floors are more spill friendly than others. Consider the risk of water when picking your floor.
3. Your Personal Taste is Important Too!
Once the technical features are decided, your own personal style and vision for your home’s atmosphere are equally important factors for your hardwood flooring.
What color or hue would you like for your home? A wood’s color comes from any stains and finishes that have been applied to it, as well as its natural tone.
The species you choose will also have different grain features. For example, Maple will have fine, straight grain strokes, whereas Oak will have a more noticeable grain pattern with lots of variation.
While we can get caught up in what’s technically best for our home’s demands, always remember to include what aesthetic you envision for your home.
If you’ve been thinking about what hardwood is best for your home but have felt unsure or stuck on what to do next, contact us today. Our team of specialists are excited to answer any questions and guide you to what makes you and your home happy!
