So many hardwood flooring options exists. How do you know how to pick the right type and style? And then how do you chose the right flooring install company?
Typically,
quality hardwood floors involve glue, nails and flooring install company professionals with a lot of patience and a lot of skill in their craft. It is not a task for the faint of heart and normally not something homeowners want to take on themselves.
When deciding on a hardwood floor, the first criteria you want to decide on is species of tree. Each grain type has its own distinctive fingerprint, its own look. There are more pronounced grains, such as oak, and more subtle grains, such as maple. Some of the more popular tree species for hardwood floor are white oak, cherry, hickory, red oak, maple and white ash. Examine a lot of varieties of hardwood flooring to make sure it is the look you want for your living room, bedroom or family room.
There are also the grain cuts to consider. Rotary cuts create a bold grain pattern, while sliced cuts give more of an appearance of solid wood floors and have a tighter, uniform grain pattern.
Another consideration for your hardwood floor is the board width. This is another major factor in deciding how the flooring will look in your home. Widths can range from 2 1/4-inch strips to 5-inch planks. Again, make sure to check a variety of style to ensure the flooring works with your decor.
You will also need to decide on gloss level. Just like paint products, there are several different levels of gloss, designed for different traffic levels. High-gloss woods are for lower traffic areas, such as dining rooms and bedrooms. A semi-gloss finish works for moderate-traffic areas like living rooms or family rooms. Satin finishes are for high-traffic areas, such as kitchens. Be realistic in your anticipation of room use. Don't go with a higher gloss just because it looks better. That gloss won't hold up if the traffic is higher than its intended wear level.
Board thickness is another choice you will have to make. The thicker the board the stronger your floor will be. Also, the thicker the board, the less likely it will be to warp or twist over time. Most quality floors will be 9/16”, 1/2” or 3/8” in thickness.
Another decision you will have to make for your hardwood flooring is edge style. The edge style of your boards will also play a role in the appearance. Square edges have the boards fitting flush against each other. This is the more traditional choice. However, there are also micro bevel or full bevel edges that create a more angled appearance.
It is better to have hardwood samples brought to your home where you can examine them in contrast to the decor of the room.
When picking an flooring install company, you want a firm with a track record of quality workmanship. Get references for jobs the company has done in your area – and follow-up with those references.
