Since there many flooring types in the market, choosing the best flooring style depending on your needs and budget can be overwhelming. The decision to settle for hardwood flooring is worth it and will give you satisfaction while increasing your home’s value. But, your decision-making process doesn’t stop there; you still need to narrow down your choices to a specific hardwood species, colors, finishes, among other considerations. Check out the key things to consider.
Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood
The decision to install solid hardwood or engineered hardwood largely depends on the room you are installing it. Engineered hardwood is suitable for surfaces prone to moisture, such as the bathroom, kitchen, and basement. However, solid hardwood can be pre-finished multiple times depending on its thickness to make it more durable than engineered hardwood.
Hardwood Species
There are several types of hardwood species, from domestic to exotic species. Oak, maple, and beech are examples of domestic wood species in the US. Brazillian cherry, ipe, and kempas are examples of exotic tree species. The difference between various wood species is the hardness, provenance, and grain. If you want to floor a busy room that handles a lot of foot traffic, you require the most durable hardwood type. Rooms without much traffic will do well with softer hardwood flooring. It is best to consult with a hardwood installation company to get the best hardwood to suit your specific needs.
Prefinished Or Unfinished Hardwood Floors
Prefinished hardwood floors are finished at the manufacturing facility, including sanding, coating, and staining. When you purchase a prefinished hardwood floor, you only need someone to install it, and you are done. Therefore it offers fast installation and moving in immediately in the room.
With unfinished hardwood floors, sanding, staining, and coating are done at the site after installation. Therefore, the sanding and finishing will take a few days, so you can’t move in immediately. That makes it easier to apply unique custom stains.
Natural Colors vs. Stained Colors
Hardwood species vary by hardness, grain designs, and color. You can find Grey wooden floors here, and while at it, consider the natural grain pattern of various species and choose one that appeals to you. Dark colors are suitable in rooms that are well lit, while you can use light-colored hardwoods to brighten up a room. Note that various hardwood species take staining differently; therefore, a professional should do the straining for you. Staining allows you to achieve unique colors such as grey.
Hardwood Floor Finish
A good thing with hardwood floors is that you have the freedom to choose a finishing you like. You can finish immediately after installation or refinish after several years of use. Different types of finishes differ depending on the gloss, cost, and durability. Here, your choice depends on your aesthetic taste.
Reclaimed vs. New Solid Hardwood
Reclaimed hardwood flooring comes from recycled wood from old homes, warehouses, abandoned structures, barns, and commercial buildings. After recycling them, the woods are shaped into flooring materials, making them an eco-friendly option. You can choose between reclaimed and new solid hardwood, depending on your budget and needs.
The Bottom Line
Some of the factors that influence your hardwood flooring choice include where you are installing it, your budget, and your aesthetic choices. Consider if a room is prone to heavy traffic, whether you have kids or pets, and susceptibility to moisture.
