4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying Hardwood Flooring

Traditional wood flooring have the unique capability to bring out the charm and beauty of a home. Who can resist their rustic character and warm glow' But there's more to buying wood flooring than just picking out whether or not you would like maple or oak. Ask yourself these four questions when shopping for hardwoods that may help you find the perfect fit for just about any flooring project ' big or small.

What Type of 'Look' Are You Creating?

Hardwood floors can truly 'pull' an area together ' helping you highlight a beautiful piece of furniture, a work of art, or simply just bring an air kitchens Peabody MA of comfort and warmth to a space. With this in mind, you need to decide which varieties of flooring accentuates your dcor. Many types of wood flooring are smooth-milled, going for a seamless appearance. Others are purposefully antiqued or distressed to give the floors a far more 'lived-in' look that's casual and comfy ' much like your favorite set of two jeans.

Which Hardwood Flooring Style is Best for Your Needs?

You'll have to decide between different styles of hardwood to locate one that is the right balance of price, durability and wonder. Solid hard wood floors are, naturally, complete hardwood. There's also engineered wood flooring, which is less expensive and uses a high-density fiberboard core with real hardwood veneer. If you have your heart set with a specific species of hardwood, included in the package want to know how hard your hardwood really is. For example, southern Yellow Pine is 'softer' in comparison with Brazilian cherry in line with the Janka Hardness Scale.

How Much Sunlight and Foot Traffic Will the Room Get?

Certain types of hard wood floors fare better in sunlight and won't fade or lose their luster as time passes. Many exotic Brazilian woods are sensitive to light, much like other favorites like walnut. Some floors can have a UV protective coating added. You can also move furniture and rugs around periodically to ensure equal parts of light hit different regions of the floor, the other side isn't lighter or darker than another.

Foot visitors are another consideration. Hardwood floors operate very well to foot traffic and won't show its age with time the way certain other forms of floors, like carpet, can. For high foot-traffic areas, a harder wood like maple, hickory or oak would better handle deterioration as opposed to some softer wood. Here again, the Janka Hardness Scale can be invaluable in assisting you decide between durability, price and looks to get the perfect solution.

What Kind of Warranty Do You Need?

The right warranty can safeguard your hardwood floorsfor years to come. Most hardwood flooring come with a warranty against structural damage, as well as a warranty about the finish that's used (if you choose to have it finished). With this in mind, you should find a warranty which offers you the amount of protection you'll need for your particular lifestyle and also the kind of traffic your floors will be experiencing. It's worth using a reputable wood flooring store to be sure all your questions are answered and warranties are clearly explained.