Choosing the right flooring is an integral part of homeownership. When it comes to renovations, the choice of flooring is more important than other factors.
There are plenty of materials to choose from, but hardwood remains the most popular by far. Hardwood floors look gorgeous in every home but can be confusing for first-time buyers.
Moreover, there are different types, finishes, and colors to choose from when considering hardwood.
Further decisions can lead you to a flooring choice that is unique in its aesthetics and performance. Once you’ve made your choice, you need to consider installation as well.
It’s safer to hire seasoned professionals to install your floors. At Five Star Hardwood Floors, we provide hardwood floor installation in Kirkland at affordable prices. Visit our website to speak to an expert on hardwood floors and get your free quote.
Since there are many different kinds of hardwood floors available, it’s essential to narrow down your choice to specific options; you can choose between various wood species, colors, and more depending on your budget and preferences.
Here are a few factors to consider:
Engineered Hardwood Vs. Solid Hardwood Flooring:
Choosing between solid or engineered hardwood depends on the room you want to floor.
Solid hardwood floors are manufactured from a solitary piece of hardwood divided into planks or strips. The strips are narrow and are less than 3 inches wide, while the planks are wider than 3 inches.
Engineered hardwood flooring consists of multiple layers of wood with a natural hardwood top and plywood layer underneath.
The thickness of engineered hardwood depends on how many times you pre-finish it. Since most engineered hardwood floors have a slim surface layer of hardwood, they need to be pre-finished up to 2-3 times.
Wood Species:
There are various kinds of wood species for both solid and engineered hardwood.
This can include wood from domestic trees like oak, beech, or maple native to the USA or exotic trees like Brazilian cherry, kempas, or ipe.
The foreign wood species differ in hardness, grain, and provenance. Busy rooms expected to have a lot of footfall should have durable wood species with a high hardness factor.
Grain Pattern:
Homeowners can choose from three different types of grains, including curly, flat, or straight grain. These differ depending on the species of wood and how it was cut.
There’s much more to hardwood flooring than meets the eye! Learn everything about it from our experts by getting in touch.