The flooring is the most important aspect when designing your home. It plays a big part in the look, functionality and ambiance of your home. It is the flooring that sets the tone for the design concept. The choice of flooring is numerous and the absolute favorite is the hardwood floor. Again, given the variety of options available, you’re spoiled for choice. Many factors such as aesthetics, durability, type of wood, etc. must be considered. Hardwood floors represent a large investment and care must be taken when selecting a suitable flooring option.
Solid vs. constructed
The most important thing to do is decide whether to use solid hardwood or processed hardwood. Due to the hardness and thickness of the wood, laying solid wood floors is difficult. Engineered flooring is a thinner top layer of hardwood bonded to other layers underneath. This ensures that the floor will not shift as it shrinks and moves (expands and contracts).
installation
Another problem is the ease of installation. Solid hardwood is a bit difficult to install yourself. Depending on the hardness of the wood, gaps may appear when the planks are nailed together. Also, solid hardwood is generally laid over a layer or two of plywood. This would increase the height of the floor and require a change in the doors or lower the ceiling height. Hardwood planks, on the other hand, can be glued directly to the concrete floor or to soundproofing material such as glass wool.
Prefabricated vs. site completion
Hardwood planks can be purchased raw, which requires a professional finish after installation, or pre-painted, with the stain and finish already applied. With prefabricated wood, you can decide directly on the other decorative elements. Installation is also quick and easy. The site finish version relies heavily on the skill of the floorer. Still, the site finish option offers plenty of customization options to suit your needs and design ideas.
types of wood
The most popular hardwood in North America is oak because it is very easy to stain and has an attractive natural grain. It’s widely available and more affordable. The other popular wood is the walnut. Although softer than oak, it has a deeper color making it suitable for areas that require a darker shade. Other readily available options include hickory, maple, cherry, and ash.
