Hardwood Flooring 101: Types, Benefits, and Finishes

If you want to know which type of hardwood is best for your home, you need to do some research. If you don’t have enough time to think much about house improvements or simply don’t know where to start, it may be difficult for you to find the best one. You need to compute the cost, choose the best designs of hardwood floors, and weigh the pros and cons.

Thankfully, you can refer to this guide when choosing hardwood flooring for your home.

Why Choose Hardwood Floor Types

Whether you’re replacing or installing a brand-new floor, a hardwood floor could be an excellent choice due to the following reasons.

• Hardwood flooring looks great - It cannot be denied that a hardwood floor is more pleasing to look at. It projects grace, elegance, beauty, and a sense of affluence that is so attractive.
• Hardwood flooring can easily match the new decor - No matter what kind of finish your wood floors have, they can still provide a neutral effect when adding new furniture or working with new color schemes. 
• Hardwood flooring gives a sense of warmth - No matter what decor you have, hardwood floors can be a great final touch in achieving a warm environment, making the home more comfortable.
• Hardwood flooring is undeniably resilient - When finished intricately, wood floors are resilient to spills and stains. It is easy to fix mild scratches.
• Hardwood flooring is an excellent retainer of heat - Compared to tile floors, hardwood floors are good conductors. That means you will not complain of feeling cold when walking barefoot across them.
• Hardwood flooring is easy to maintain and clean - You can clean the hardwood floor by vacuuming, sweeping, or washing it regularly. You can also have periodic polishing to unleash its shine.

What are the best types of hardwood flooring?

The following are the most common trees where quality hardwood floorings come from:

• Oak

Oak is a traditional hardwood flooring that gives a home an aesthetic, warm-toned appeal. Opt for a white or red oak to bring a unique flair to your interiors.

 

• Cherry

 

Cherry is a glossy, sophisticated type of hardwood flooring. It comes from a variety of colors, such as red, black, and softer hues. It is naturally stunning and gives a shiny and luxurious finish. It can be a bit more expensive compared to other hardwood floor types.

 

• Walnut

 

Walnut is an excellent hardwood because of its rich colors

 

• Hickory

 

Hickory provides a cozy and rustic look. It is durable and is an excellent choice for homeowners and families with indoor pets.

 

• Maple

 

Maple hardwood flooring is a lighter-toned hardwood that is characterized by its unique grain patterns. It is also known as one of the hardest and most durable hardwood floorings. This is the perfect choice for homeowners with kids and pets.

Common Types of Finishes for Hardwood Flooring 

Check out these types of hardwood flooring finishes:

• Oil-based polyurethane
• Moisture-cure urethane
• Wax
• Shellac
• Water-based Polyurethane
• Acid-cured finish
• Aluminum Oxide
• Penetrating oil sealer

Should you choose finished hardwood floors or unfinished hardwood floors?

This can be a daunting decision for a homeowner. However, if you want to reduce the time you’ll spend on installation, you may go for already sealed, sanded, and finished hardwood floors.

But if you’re aiming to have a customized finish for your floor, you need to choose unfinished hardwood floors.

Conclusion

We all want to achieve the home interior design that we want. The kind of floor that we choose can be a big part of accomplishing that. Many homeowners often prefer hardwood floors because they are gorgeous, durable, and stylish.

Explore the place where beauty and quality reside. At Global Carpets and Hardwood Floors Ltd., you can get quality products and services such as hardwood flooring and excellent-quality carpets. Contact us and request an estimate today!