Finding the Right Wood Flooring for Your Home - A Guideline

Finding the Right Wood Flooring for Your Home - A Guideline

Your choice of flooring can make a lot of difference in your home interior. Though what’s underneath one’s feet is not always the first thing that people see in a home, changing its style and colour won’t go unnoticed. Besides aesthetics, finding the right floor material would also affect the safety of your home. Add to that its hygiene, soundproofing, heating costs, and more. Before we get down to the nitty details, first things first. 

If you are thinking about getting wood floorings for your home and are not sure how to start, this article will help you out.

Why Wood Flooring

There are many reasons people love wood floorings. Some of them are as follow:

  • It is a natural product that comes in different colours.
  • It can last longer than other types of flooring.
  • It is easier to clean and more hygienic. Most of all, it does not need that many chemicals for maintenance.
  • It is more environmentally friendly in terms of production.
  • It is the best option for homeowners with allergies.

Choosing the Right Type of Wood 

Now that you know the advantages, here are the three guidelines in choosing the right wood flooring for your home.

1. What kind of wood: Solid or Engineered?

The first thing you need to decide on is the type of wood that you want to have in your home. You have two options for this. You can either get a solid or an engineered wood.

Solid woods are the usual flooring you’ll see in older houses. They are huge planks of hardwoods that can be sanded or re-stained over time. The only downside of this type of wood is its tendency to warp when exposed to humid environments. Since they are natural materials, they can expand and shrink depending on the weather.

On the other hand, engineered wood floorings are those that come in thin sheets. They are also often pre-finished. That’s why it can’t be the right floor for you if you want to refinish or change floorboard colours. The advantage, though, is its durability over solid woods. Since they are engineered and pre-finished, you won’t encounter any warping or gaping tendencies in these woods. 

2. What kind of coating: Finished or Unfinished?

If you prefer the engineered wood board, as mentioned before, it comes to you pre-finished. Therefore, it is already stained, and you can install them immediately. It is the best option if you are not a fan of dust or fumes that result from sanding or staining on-site. However, since it is more convenient to use, it also comes with a higher price.

If you want the solid woods, know that they are often unfinished. This wood is appropriate for those who want to control the finish and colour of their wood flooring. They are also cheaper than the previous option. However, note that you need to pay more for the labour and whole process of finishing them on-site.

3. For the hardwood flooring: Choose your wood species

One advantage of wood flooring is the number of options available for you. Here are some of the most popular choices.

  • Oakwood - Oak is known for its high durability, different stains, and wide grain. You can opt for a white oak or a red oak—they are the most popular options.
  • Maple - When it comes to grain patterns, the maple wood is a good choice. However, it is more prone to insect-caused rotting compared to other woods.
  • Walnut - Walnut is perfect for those who want to have a redder and darker base tone or a warmer flooring. It’s also a highly durable material.

Conclusion

Finding the right wood for your home requires a lot of decision-making, but as soon as you determine your priorities, the easier the process would be. Keep in mind that while aesthetics is also important, you need to find a quality flooring that would give you a floor that would last for a long while.

If you want laminate wood flooring or other options for your home flooring in Vancouver, browse through our hardwood products. We supply and install your chosen hardwood flooring. Contact us or send us an email to set a showroom tour schedule or product estimate!

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