Are you looking to renovate or design a new home?
Hardwood floors are a popular option in many American homes. Aside from being a timeless interior design choice, these floors are also great insulators for the cold months. Did you know that it also induces positive psychological responses when used in interiors?
Hardwood floors are beautiful, comfortable, and, best of all, affordable. If you choose with a keen eye, hardwood floors may be the best decision you can make for your home. If you’re looking to invest in new hardwood floors, read on for our tips in choosing the best one for you!
What Is Hardwood?
Contrary to popular belief, the difference between hardwood and softwood isn’t their hardness. Hardwood comes from trees that shed their leaves once a year. Softwood comes from evergreens.
Hardwood is denser and darker in general and is more fire-resistant than softwood. Knowing what to look for can make your new hardwood floor cost less for better quality. Here are some things for you to consider when choosing new hardwood floors that suit you.
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Solid vs. Engineered Flooring
Solid flooring is straightforward, a solid plank of wood. Meanwhile, engineered flooring involves many thin layers of wood bonded together with a top layer of hardwood.
The two types will look almost indistinguishable after installation. The main difference would be their resistance to warping. Engineered flooring is less likely to warp.
Note that there are ways to prevent warping for solid flooring as well in installation. It may take more effort, but some homeowners opt for solid flooring for the sentiment.
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Appearance
These may be the first things that come to mind when you consider hardwood floors. Two aspects to consider about its appearance are color and grain.
Hardwood will have a darker color and denser grain. Even so, different types of hardwood will have different colors and grains. More noticeable grains are popular, but these choices come down to your personal preference.
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Dimensions
Measurements have to do with warping. In general, thinner and wider planks are more prone to warping.
If you prefer larger wood pieces, don’t fret. There are construction decisions you can make in installation to prevent significant warping.
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Grade
Hardwood grade is appearance outside the intrinsic color and grain. What determines grade? It’s the presence of knots, streaks, and color inconsistencies.
There are industry standards for hardwood grading. For hardwood, the higher the grade, the fewer blemishes there are. Note that blemishes are not the same as defects, and lower-grade wood can be defect-free.
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Installation Method
Your flooring will be as good as two factors: the wood itself and floor installation. The latter will be specific to the wood, pattern, nature of the room, and all mentioned above.
Because of this, it’s best to buy flooring from a place that installs them for you as well. Check out In and Out Flooring for these kinds of services.
Ready for Your New Hardwood Floors?
Choosing hardwood for your new floor may take a bit of effort, but it will be worth it. Know everything there is to know about your chosen materials and consult professionals. Finally, have someone install your new hardwood floors right the first time.
If you’re managing a major home renovation, you may want to know more about the best materials to use. Check out our other blog posts for more tips on home renovation.
