You’d be hard pressed to find someone who will tell you that they think wood flooring is a bad idea. Numerous market tests confirm that installing wood floors is among one of the most reliable and consistent ways to immediately increase the value of your property.
Properly installed wood flooring will last a very long time and even continue to look better with age. That being said, there are several important questions that you should ask before you make the investment in wood floors. Here are some issues to be mindful of when looking to buy.
1. Know your options and the difference between solid and engineered
Although both solid and engineered wood floors are made exclusively using real wood, there are important differences to be aware of. As the name implies, a solid wood floor is exactly that, one solid piece of wood from top to bottom. The thickness can vary but solid wood floors offer the benefit of being able to withstand being sanded and refinished multiple times. They are great in virtually all rooms of the home, but it is important to keep in mind that they can’t be used below grade, so basements are off limits.
Engineered wood floors, on the other hand are manufactured using multiple layers of wood veneers. Due to the fact that the grain of the various layers run in perpendicular directions, engineered floors are less sensitive to the surrounding contentions. They will expand and contract less than solid wood as a result of humidity and temperature, and therefore are ideal for basement use. It is important to note that due to their engineered composition, these floors cannot be sanded and refinished as many times as solid wood flooring.
2. Decide if you want prefinished or site finish
Although if you decide to go with prefinished, you will know exactly what you’re getting in advance, many homeowners are intrigued by the level of customization that on-site finishing allows. If you don’t feel the need to be as particular, prefinished might make more sense simply because it is quicker and there is less of a margin for error.
That being said, some experts point out that on-site finishing equals a slightly smoother floor, due to the fact that the sanding takes place after it is nailed down.
3. Consider which species of wood is best suited to your needs
The species of wood you decide to go with will be influenced by several things, including your personal style, how durable you need the floor to be, and ultimately, your budget. Generally, you will that that there are over 50 species of domestic and imported species of wood flooring available and each one will create a slightly different look.
Each wood species is also rated for its hardness and durability, so it is important to consider how much wear the floor is going to have to endure. A retired couple will have very different needs than a young family with children and pets.
4. Think about how you will care for your floor once it is installed
Speaking of hardness and durability, it is important that you think about after care if you are going to maintain the look of your wood flooring and keep in great shape for decades to come. Hardwood does need to be cleaned regularly, but it is important to be aware of the impact that water has. Therefore, it is best to avoid using a wet mop or steam mop that could ultimately damage the wood over long periods of time.
There are also special rug mats that are designed specifically for wood floors and that will help prevent discoloration over time. You also want to protect your floors from scratches that the furniture which rests on top of them can cause. This can be easily avoided by placing protective pads on the legs of any furniture that comes into contact with the floor.
