What to know when looking for hardwood flooring

When it comes to hardwood flooring, info is a crucial part of your shopping experience. Knowing the differences between the species varieties, sealants, and finish types can affect the performance and durability of your flooring, so you must be getting the best available.

With a wealth of characteristics available, you can easily personalize these floors to suit your needs and preferences. The stark elegance makes it a perfect choice that will outlast many trend changes, and an average 100-year lifespan means you won’t have to replace it anytime soon. But there’s so much more.

To choose the perfect hardwood flooring, you’ll want to make sure you select options that are specifically relevant to your needs and preferences. For instance, if you have a heavily trafficked home, you’ll want to make sure you choose a species that is hard enough to handle it. Choosing a softer species drastically reduces the lifespan when placed in a busy area.

If you know that your floors are more prone to scratches and scuffs, such as is often the case with children or pets in the home, then you should choose a finish that hides these signs of wear. Good options for this would be vintage, wire-brushed, or distressed, to name a few. Choosing an excellent sealant is also beneficial for reaching an expected lifespan.

You should know that below-grade spaces, such as basements, are not a viable placement for hardwood flooring. Engineered flooring is an excellent alternative, offering better results against dampness, humidity, and temperature changes.

Hardwood must also be acclimated before the installation process. This helps assure that your materials will not become warped, cracked, or split after they are put in place. You can expect a one to three-day acclimation period, but this can vary based on the weather in the conditions inside your home.