Flooring is one of the most basic yet essential considerations a homeowner must make when beginning a remodeling project since it serves as the basis for everything else. While there are numerous options, including carpet and terrazzo, one material sticks out: hardwood.
Homeowners contemplating new flooring owe it to themselves to investigate the benefits and beauty of wood. Nothing beats the beauty and warmth that wood flooring brings to every room in the house. They are comfy, durable, and surprisingly affordable.
While there are numerous alternatives, not every type of wood flooring is suitable for every use. But there are a few parameters that you should keep in mind while choosing the floor for yourself.
1) Wood types
Because there are so many types of wood on the market, selecting the best one may be challenging. The wood species may influence the look of your room, but different woods also have different functions.
If you are remodeling a part of your home that will receive a lot of foot traffic, consider using stronger wood.
Oak is a popular choice for people. It’s long-lasting, works well with different stains, and has a nice, natural grain. Oakwood flooring is also readily available from most manufacturers. Red and white oak are excellent woods for a variety of home uses.
Walnut is softer than oak and has a rich, warm tone. More complex than oaks are hickory and maple. Brazilian cherry, ash, bamboo, and mahogany are among the exotic woods offered.
Reclaimed hardwood may be purchased from salvage lumber yards by homeowners. It is a much cheaper alternative, although you may have to pick through some worn-out stuff. If you locate some excellent pieces of reclaimed wood flooring, it may provide a distinctive touch of character to your home.
2) Type of flooring
Solid hardwood and engineered hardwood are the most common forms of wood flooring. Usually, floors made of solid wood are made of wood logs joined together using tongue and groove along both the long and short edges. Solid wood is available in various thicknesses ranging from 5/16 to 34 inches in prefinished or unfinished strips and boards. Solid wood flooring should be installed on the ground floor or above since it expands and contracts in reaction to humidity levels in the home.
Engineered wood flooring comprises multiple layers of plywood and composite material, with a layer of natural hardwood on top. Engineered wood flooring is available in thicknesses ranging from 38 to 34 inches and widths ranging from 3 to 10 inches, with the hardwood layer on top available in thicknesses ranging from 6 to 4 millimetres. Engineered flooring is more durable due to its multi-ply composition and may be placed on all home floors.
3) The many types of finishing possibilities
The finish of your hardwood floors will affect how you care for and clean them. When acquiring new wood flooring, you may choose between prefinished and unfinished options.
When you purchase prefinished hardwood floors, they will already have a stain and topcoat applied. This method allows you to see what your flooring will look like from the beginning. You may also be able to inspect samples in your home to see how they will go in with your present décor. The installation will be faster because prefinished wood flooring is available.
Unfinished flooring (also known as site finish) will be delivered raw and unfinished to your house. A professional company can help you in the proper installation of the final coat over the flooring. This approach allows for greater customization and provides you with greater control over the gloss and stain of your wood flooring. It might be an ideal alternative if you want to match new planks to existing flooring in your home.
Site finish flooring is usually smoother in appearance. After the flooring has been nailed down, it will be sanded and stained most of the time. It indicates that a single layer will cover the whole floor and link it together. When it comes to site finishes, though, you must engage with a trustworthy contractor. Do your homework to choose a trustworthy floor installation company.
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