Why Choose Wood Flooring?
Wood flooring offers unmatched value, warmth, and style for both new and renovated homes. While installation costs more than carpet, wood floors can last over 100 years with regular maintenance and occasional repairs, making them a timeless investment.
Solid Wood Floors
Besides longevity, solid wood floors are highly durable and resistant to daily wear and tear. Unlike laminate or man-made flooring, wood retains warmth, feeling cozy underfoot, while laminate remains cold. Hardwood is ideal for allergy sufferers, as it doesn’t harbor mold, mildew, or dust mites. Cleaning is simple—vacuuming or damp mopping keeps it fresh, especially in homes with pets or young children.
Pre-finished Hardwood
Hardwood flooring is available pre-finished or unfinished from online or brick-and-mortar retailers. Pre-finished wood is more convenient, requiring no sanding, which saves time and eliminates sawdust cleanup. With no drying time for varnishes or lacquers, installation is faster, and the floor is ready to walk on sooner.
Choosing the Right Wood and Finish
Many professional installers prefer unfinished wood for its uniform seal. Sealing gaps and joints before applying the finish protects against moisture, wood’s primary enemy. While working with unfinished wood is time- and labor-intensive, the superior results often justify the effort.
Flooring Surfaces and Stains
Wood flooring offers diverse surface and stain options. Smooth, planed surfaces are the most popular, but hand-scraped hardwood, crafted by hand for a rustic, lived-in look, is gaining favor. Stains can enhance the wood’s natural beauty or alter its color entirely, mimicking pricier woods while using more affordable varieties.
Popular Wood Choices
Wood flooring integrates seamlessly into any home or office décor, adding structural strength unmatched by other flooring types. Popular choices include:
- Red and White Oak: Pale with a slight pink hue in red oak, both are versatile. White oak is harder, while red oak is easier to saw and nail.
- American Cherry: Used mainly for cabinets but suitable for flooring, this photosensitive wood darkens over time and is easy to work with.
- Hard Maple: Harder than oak with a naturally abrasion-resistant surface, it was a favorite among early American settlers.
- Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba): Known for its rich reddish-brown color that ages to burgundy, it’s harder than some mahoganies, making it costly but striking.
Do’s and Don’ts for Wood Flooring
Do:
- Choose wood suited for your home’s traffic level.
- Read warranties carefully for care and maintenance guidelines.
- Hire professionals if you’re not a DIY enthusiast, as mistakes with sanding or hard wax oil can be costly.
- Consult experts at your local home improvement store about stains.
- Install a moisture barrier between the subfloor and flooring.
- Open wood boxes to check color variations and let the wood acclimate to your climate.
- Use a dry mop or vacuum for cleaning.
Don’t:
- Install hardwood in high-moisture areas like bathrooms or basements.
- Use wood flooring in rarely visited homes, like summer cottages, as it needs regular care.
- Use harsh or wax-based cleaners, which dull the finish, or abrasive tools like steel wool.
Never:
- Use excessive water to clean, as wood absorbs moisture like a sponge.
- Wear spiked sports shoes or high heels, which can dent or scratch the surface.
- Delay cleaning moisture-heavy spills, as they can cause lasting damage.
When in doubt, seek expert advice from your local home improvement store to ensure your wood flooring thrives.
