Researching new hardwood flooring is an exciting experience. You get to bring your vision for your home or business to life and make it unique. However, the process can feel like a tricky maze with frustrating missteps without the right tools.
Your computer and phone are incredible devices that can reveal loads of options and possibilities, but using digital tools for a flooring project that takes place in the real world can only take you so far. Online, there are a lot of factors that have a hardwood elicit certain tones, hues, and textures that are much different than in person. The lighting of the studio where the photo was taken, your computer screen, and the tone settings you have selected can all greatly alter the true characteristics of the wood.
Visiting hardwood flooring suppliers is also a good option to see and feel the wood in person, but even then you are only able to experience it in the context of the store, its atmosphere, and its lighting. At Bingham Lumber, we want you to have the greatest experience possible, which is why we recommend using hardwood flooring samples to find the right one for you. It is simple to do, and it provides you with a better, real-world experience. Here are a few reasons why flooring samples are important and the surest way to find your ideal hardwood floor.
1. You want the floor to match the lighting and atmosphere
The lighting in a photo or a store’s showroom can be much different from the lighting in your space. With your floor samples, you will know which one best matches the natural lighting that enters your home or office. The amount of natural light that fills your room throughout the day greatly determines which wood best complements the atmosphere. Test each sample at different points in the day to see which wood works best overall.
Even the type of lightbulbs you use in the room can determine which sample is best for you. These days, there is a vast selection of bulbs that emit different qualities of light. You may have a cooler temperature for your workspace and a warm, calming light in your living room. Test the samples at night with just artificial lighting to make sure the wood looks good in all conditions. Lighting plays a significant role with hardwood flooring, so keep this in mind while searching!
2. Flooring samples give you the sensory experience you need
We don’t just look at our hardwood floor. We touch and walk on it too! Hardwood floors are unique characters, each with a different texture and feeling.
Looking online removes that much needed experience of knowing the feel of the wood. With the physical sample, you can hold the wood and lay it on the floor. While it may seem silly, many people even test the sample by walking on it barefoot, with socks, and with shoes. Your floor is an investment, so it’s best to experience it fully before committing.
3. Samples allow you to coordinate with your walls and furniture
With your samples in hand, you can compare each of them to the color your walls are or will be, allowing you to tie everything together and create a unified atmosphere.
Beyond just the walls, you can also compare the samples with your furniture, cabinetry, and window fixtures to see which ones will work best.
While you may have a particular color or shade in mind, we actually recommend you try a variety of colors, light and dark. You may be surprised at what will work best within your space.
If you have been searching for the perfect hardwood floor for your home or business, we can help you find the one. Contact us today. Our specialists at Bingham Lumber have decades of experience to provide you and help you make the most of your project.
