Hardwood flooring retains the most charm and value of all the surface options made for your humble abode. It’s pleasant to look at, comfortable to walk on, adaptable in application due to the variety of wood species and finishes available, and naturally elegant. From salvaged, solid to engineered, you’re sure to discover something that matches the aesthetic of your home and lifestyle.
Make your decision based on where the flooring will go and the type of activity in those rooms. This is an investment in terms of both material and installation time. If you make the appropriate decision, you’ll be able to enjoy your wood floor for as long as you want
Lifestyle
Firstly, consider what these rooms will be used for and how often people or pets will come and go out of that room. By following a few precautions, wood can be installed in many homes. Is it possible that pets may scratch it with their nails? Are you entertaining guests that may wear high heels? Toys that energetic kids roughly throw about? Is there a possibility of grit and sand being tracked in from the front or back entrance of the house? Is there a lot of sunshine in the room that could cause the surface to be faded later on? Is it possible that long-term exposure to water, such as leaks from a kitchen sink, would cause it to swell?
Nowadays, hardwood flooring generally has highly durable polyurethane coatings designed to withstand light to moderate wear. You’ll need to stick to a regular maintenance schedule to keep the surface looking great.
Customize The Look
Every wood type has its own unique color and grain, and you can choose whichever one you prefer. Dramatic textures and colored washes, ranging from wire-brushed to classic-satin, have been added during manufacturing, in addition to traditional wood stains and species. It’s also important to consider the wood’s toughness. If your floor is subjected to a lot of traffic, it’s better to opt for a tougher species such as hickory, oak, and maple.
Most manufacturers offer a variety of high, medium, or low gloss finishes to choose from, depending on your requirements. Aluminum oxide should be added to the finish, which is applied in multiple layers, making it resistant to abrasions from high foot traffic.
What To Choose
Solid hardwood is available in two finishes: factory-finished and site-finished. Factory finished arrives ready to be installed, making it easy to clean and lay down. It saves from the hassle of curing, dust, and chemical fumes.
Engineered wood can look like real wood since it technically is a real wood veneer above a structural substrate, usually plywood. As a floating floor, this option is easy to install or attached with glue or staples. Refinishing this is significantly more limited than refinishing solid wood; it can be only done once, depending on the thickness.
If you can’t choose hardwood floors, let Five Star Hard Wood help you out. We help in all hardwood floor services, whether hardwood floor dustless refinishing or hardwood floor installation in Seattle. Contact us to learn more.