Hardwood Flooring

Forever Timeless!

Hardwood flooring remains one of the most popular flooring options and is especially prized for its timelessness, warmth, durability and design versatility.

Today, more than ever, you have many choices as cost, wood color, grain, quality and characteristics vary.

For example, the "harder" hardwoods are more resistant to dings, dents and scratches, but they can still be damaged under the right circumstances.

Having noted that... all hardwoods are tough enough for domestic use.

The best wood flooring for you will depend on the location in your home and the amount of traffic and abuse it needs to withstand.

So, picking the right type of wood is a major decision and can be quite confusing! Not to fear though... that's why we're here... to help guide you through it all.

Cost

Although the initial cost of can be more than other types of floor coverings, you'll save money in the end because of the proven durability and long-life of this flooring material.

Wood floors can be "refinished" multiple times and last over 100 years!

Hardwoods do vary in price. One of the most expensive is walnut and one of the least expensive is beech. Only pine, as a softwood, is considerably cheaper.

Determining a "budget" for your flooring project, will help focus your choices. Of course you may have to do some research first and again you'll find many answers on this site.

One thing that often gets overlooked is the possible need for additional construction under the floor..., the "sub-floor", to make it structurally sound to support the weight of hardwoods... so be sure to factor this into your budget.

Many handy do-it-yourselfers consider installing a wood floor on their own to save money. This is certainly an option with many of the laminate wood flooring materials...

BUT installing a real hardwood floor is a different matter altogether, and requires experience and a solid skill set, so consider that the price of saving on professional labor might be a ruined floor and a big headache.

What's Best

Some of the most popular types of wood used for flooring are: walnut, cherry, oak, fir, ash, beech, maple, bamboo, birch and pine

I think the best solution is to buy what you like, and take care of it! Be religious when it comes to hardwood floor care and always use the proper floor cleaner recommended for your particular hardwood floor finish.

The longevity of any floor is much more dependent on the care, maintenance and preventive measures it is given than minor differences in hardness.

And unless you plan to move in a few years, the cost difference will be minimal over the life of the floor.

Just remember, no matter what kind of wood you choose for your flooring it'll require the same diligent care, but will always be practical and stylish!

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