How To Choose Hardwood Flooring

It's a fact that Wood Floors add elegance, warmth, and charm to a home and look just as great in contemporary or California coastal decors as they do in traditional or country styles. They also last for decades, sometimes up to 100 years, and add value to your property. However, not all hardwood flooring is the same, so there will be more to choosing the best one than selecting a color.

First, Decide If You Want Solid Or Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood floors apparel to those who wish to both beauty and practicality. On the surface, both versions look similar; you can have oak, maple, or hickory floors, among others. It can also be refinished and adds value to a property.

Underneath, however, the construction is different. Solid is one thickness, but engineered has layers of genuine wood combined with a bit of resin. They are all placed in a crosswise position, and, as a result, the floor is stable, better able to handle water, and can be installed in some higher-than-normal moisture areas.

Decide on finish

There are many finishes, so talk to your flooring professional to determine if you should use a water or oil base or polyurethane. You'll also need to decide if you want the floors delivered prefinished (factory) or if you'll go with on-site finishing. With prefinished, you know what you are getting and can even start coordinating before the floors arrive, and there are no odors or messes with which to contend. On-site finishing offers more variety in color and sheen, so some feel they have more control.

What's your style?

You'll need to decide on a grain pattern. Logs are cut in three different ways, and the grains can either be smooth and linear, have little peaks and valleys called cathedrals, or be a combination of both. Do you want wide, narrow, or mixed-width planks? Do you prefer domestic species, which are warmer and more traditional, or exotics, which are dark, dramatic, and, some say, contemporary? Look through design magazines to learn a little about each and see what you may be drawn to.

Whether you want a hardwood flooring installation, or a refinishing service, consider us your one-stop shopping source for all things floors. Come into the Family Floors & More showroom in Elk Grove, CA for some inspiration and a free quote. We service homes and businesses in the areas of Elk Grove, CA, Sacramento, CA, Vineyard, CA, Florin, CA, El Dorado Hills, CA, Folsom, CA, Stockton, CA, Lodi, CA, Galt, CA and Granite Bay, CA.