The selection of flooring is one of the most basic yet crucial decisions a homeowner needs to make when performing a renovation. Though there are many different options to choose from in flooring, hardwood is recognized as the acknowledged standard. Are you ready to upgrade your living space? Now is the time to contact a Denver hardwood flooring company to install your chosen flooring for you.
Solid Vs. Engineered Hardwood
Solid and engineered are the two types of wood floors to choose from. Solid wood flooring originates from solid wood logs and is sold finished or unfinished. Engineered wood flooring is made up of several layers of plywood and composite, and is finished off with a solid hardwood layer on top.
Though both are aesthetically-pleasing, real hardwood is subject to expanding and contracting when exposed to moisture. This makes engineered hardwood a wiser choice in places such as basements and bathrooms where dampness may become an issue.
Choosing a Wood Species
Durability must be considered when choosing a specific species of wood for your hardwood flooring. Red Oak is the standard for hardness in the United States, and Red and White Oak are most commonly selected. Maple and hickory are other popular choices. Exotic woods like Cumaru, Brazilian Koa, and Brazilian Cherry are among some of the most durable woods available.
Appearance, Color, and Wood Grain
When choosing a species of wood for your hardwood floor, logically the way it looks is high on your list of priorities. Hardwood flooring is available in so many different styles and finishes, that it should be relatively easy to find a floor that will match a room’s décor.
For example, if you have a Colonial home, you may want to select an Oak and Maple finish in wide, random planks. Parquet flooring will look nice in a traditional interior, and practically any type of wood will look good in a contemporary home.
Finish Types
Logically, the overall appearance of a hardwood floor depends largely on the type of finish the flooring has. The same species of wood will look entirely different if it has a wire-brush finish, versus a distressed or a clear gloss finish on it. When shopping for a wood floor, consider what type of statement you are trying to make with the finish you have chosen. You can decide to buy unfinished or pre-finished flooring. Unfinished flooring receives 1-3 coats of sealant, while pre-finished receives 7-8 coats.
Price
The price of wood flooring is dependent on three aspects: the wood species, the type, and the finish. In general, solid pre-finished wood flooring will cost from $2.49 to $12.69 per square ft. Engineered pre-finished wood flooring costs less at $1.69 to $8.79.
Final Thought
It is a good idea to ask for a 2’ x 2’ sample of the particular flooring that you are most interested in, with stain and finish on it. You need to make sure that you aren’t basing a major decision on a tiny sample you saw in a showroom.