Today, there are many hardwood flooring options to choose from, right from species to durability to cost. To make the process of buying hardwood flooring a little easier, here are the top questions you should ask yourself.
1. Which Wood Species Should I Buy?
Different types of wood give different looks to a room. Depending on what look you want, you should consider the following:
- Lighter woods like maple and ash make a room appear more open and airy.
- Medium woods like oak and hickory make a room appear warm and cozy.
- Dark woods like mahogany and walnut make a room look more stately and refined.
The Janka scale is an indicator of how hard and durable different hardwood varieties are, so you can get a good estimate for how likely the hardwood is to sustain damages and wear.
<h2″>2. Should A Person Invest In A Solid Or Engineered Floor?
Solid hardwood floors are essentially a solid piece of wood from top to bottom, as opposed to engineered hardwood floors that are manufactured with different layers of wood veneer. Solid hardwood floors allow for multiple sanding and refinishing, while engineered floors can’t do it that many times.
Solid hardwood floors expand and contract more than engineered ones do in fluctuating humidity and temperature. Engineered floors can be used more ubiquitously, while solid ones are more limited in their range of use.
3. Should One Get A Factory Finished One Or A Site Finished One?
Each type has its own benefits, depending on the kind of personal preference and customization you want to achieve.
With job site finished hardwood floors, you can choose your finish, and be in direct control of factors like maintenance and sheen. You are free to customize with this finish, at the cost of dust and noise from the sanding, and waiting for the finish to dry.