Choosing And Installing Your Choice Hardwood Flooring
The process of selecting and installing a hardwood floor entails numerous elements. It can be a daunting process, and will need deliberation and decision. One of the most critical decisions to make for your flooring job is selecting the type of hardwood you would like to use.
Deciding between a light or dark hardwood and between multiple species of wood is as simple as choosing a hardwood you like, among some other details covered in this post.
Type of House
What type of house do you intend to build or currently live in? Depending on the existing subfloor, the flooring option you choose in your home may vary. You want need to use other types of flooring such as tile or vinyl plank in certain places, like a basement or mudroom.
Foot Traffic
You should consider how many visitors you think will troop into your home. The greater the foot traffic in a particular area, the more crucial it is to pick the rugged and durable flooring enough to withstand regular wear and tear. Another thing to keep in mind, flooring can also be scratched by pets claws.
Home Furnishings
To complement your overall design, you must take your décor into account when choosing your hardwood. Ensure that your flooring species and stain color will work with it. One of the many benefits of hardwood flooring is that it compliments many common decor styles.
Choose your Color Preference.
Unfinished hardwood can be installed naturally, but you can also apply stains to accentuate the natural colors of different woods and get a customized finish. However, because each type of wood reacts differently, you have to consider how likely you are to achieve a particular color floor if you select a specific wood. It is common to test stains on uninstalled planks before installation. Another common choice is refinished hardwood, and that hardwood is already stained and sealed with a polyurethane. This way, you know exactly what the floor will look like before it is installed and you won’t have to deal with the sanding, staining, and finishing in your home after installation is complete.
Common Types Of Hardwood Flooring
Because of the varying hardness, color, and grain of hardwoods, each of these characteristics can influence the performance of a particular type of wood in different conditions.
Oak Hardwood Flooring
One of the more popular types of hardwood is red and white oak. Red oak comes in warmer shades of cream, gold, and red-brown. At the same time, white oak is slightly more durable and has gray undertones. Oak is by far the most popular hardwood flooring, due to its price, availability, quality, and range of stain options.
Cherry Hardwood Flooring
Cherry is one of the softest hardwoods, so you should place it in locations with less traffic to avoid getting damaged. However, it is well known for its glossy, rich colors and velvety surface texture, making it a favorite for sleek, modern projects.
Walnut Hardwood Flooring
Walnut can be used effectively in both mid-traffic and light-traffic areas. There is minimal color variation between the boards, creating a uniform appearance to the floor’s finished surface.
Hickory Hardwood Flooring
Hickory is considered a superior choice for hardwood flooring, as it is known for being durable and attractive. It is available in various stains, including beige and brown, with darker streaking, and has larger knots that make it ideal for country and rustic decor.
Maple Hardwood Flooring
Another common species for hardwood flooring is maple, which has a high Janka rating, so it is a durable, tough option. It’s texture is even, with the addition of some darker streaks, which enable it to work with a broad range of styles.
If you’re still have a hard time deciding what’s best for you, feel free to contact our team. SVL Home Improvements is here to help.
