Wood flooring can be more than traditional flooring options; however, it will add class and value to your home. Hardwood floors are highly sought after by homeowners and prospective home buyers; therefore, wood flooring is an investment. Wood flooring is a great choice and if you take care of it, it will last the life of your home. While, there is maintenance involved with wooden flooring; however, the original wood should last throughout your home.
Maintenance includes tidying up the floors from time to time; however, you can consider this as an advantage of having wooden floors in your home. If the floors become dull, you don’t have to pay for a complete floor replacement like installing new carpet and padding. Simply by refinishing floors you can make them look new again at a fairly reasonable price, whether you pay to have someone do it or do it yourself.
Wood flooring comes in a variety of different types such as, cherry, maple, oak, birch, beech, pine, walnut and even mahogany. The natural design found in each piece of wood will add that much more of a visual effect. Wood is just a warmer natural material than say tiles and will help add warmth to your home. Because it does not harbor any type of mold, mildew, etc., the wooden floor is actually a perfect choice for those who have sensitivities to different things and/or allergies.
If you are on the “green” bandwagon, then the wooden floor can definitely have its disadvantages. Obviously, the wooden floor is made from the cutting of trees; however, you can buy reclaimed wood flooring, which is actually recycled.
Cost of wood flooring
The cost of wood flooring can be quite expensive. Most types start around $3 per square foot. The more exotic the wood, the more expensive the price, like all other products. This estimate does not include the price of installation if you want someone else to install the floor for you.
Tips for buying a wooden floor
1. You must use hardwood such as Oak, Maple or Ash in high traffic areas such as the kitchen or bathroom. Areas that draw a lot of moisture will also be better suited to hard ground than these species.
2. There are different types of gates when looking at wood flooring. The first grade is considered the best; however, if you are looking for a cheaper version then Second degree is your choice. Second grade flooring will have minor blemishes here and there but will give you a similar product for less money. Stains will not affect the stability of the floor and can still prove to be a great choice for you.
3. You can add patterns to your floor by choosing different colors of wood. You can make a border around the edge or you can even add interest by choosing a contrasting floor compared to your cabinets; however, make sure you stay with the same “feel”. If your cabinets are rustic with that old school charm, then choose the same type of wood floor, even if it may be in a different color.
4. There are several different options of wood flooring that are available in the market today. There is pre-finished, unfinished and even engineered wood flooring. Pre-finished wood flooring is best for rooms such as kitchens as it often has high quality finishes of Aluminum Oxide or Polyurethane. That’s right more immune to spillage, moisture and high temperature. Engineered wood, also called composite wood or man-made wood is manufactured by binding together the branches, particles, fibers or veneers of wood, together with adhesives, to form composite materials. Because of this, engineered wood floors are extremely strong and are also great for kitchens. Visit your local dealer to learn all the differences between these types and find out which one will work best for you.
Installation and maintenance of wooden floors
There are different installation methods when it comes to wood flooring options. They can be floated, glued, nailed and/or stapled. Depending on which type you bought helps determine the type of installation method that is used. Professional help in this category may be your best bet, even though it may cost you a bit more; however, it’s best to pay to have your floors professionally installed so you don’t mess up your floor by making mistakes. With the different changes in the climate, the wood will retract or expand and this is exactly the reason why you need the help of a professional when it comes to the installation process.
The maintenance of your wooden floor depends on what type of installation you have and the type of wood. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s directions. You can help protect your floor by using area rugs. Sweeping and mopping are usually the only requirements to properly maintain your floors. Wipe up any spills immediately.
How to get the best price on wood flooring
BuildDirect seems to be one of the best places to buy wood flooring from. Besides the best prices, their customer-friendly policies make shopping from them a pleasure.
