With renovation season just around the corner, many homeowners are beginning to plan upcoming projects and find themselves seeking information on both products and professional service providers. Replacing the flooring in your home can seem a particularly daunting task without the proper resources. We at Ashley Fine Floors would like to assist you in your search by providing some basic information explaining the difference between hardwood types, and how you can best decide which is suited for the space you have in mind.
Why Choose Hardwood
While it’s fair to say that there’s no shortage of options when it comes to flooring variety, hardwood installation remains a classic and elegant way to compliment your home’s natural aesthetic. Not only is it a stunning visual piece, but the practical nature of its durability and versatility make hardwood a smart addition to almost every home. Whether you’re considering replacing outdated carpeting, choosing the finishing touches of a new build, or looking for the best option to add resell value to your property, homeowners can easily find an option that suits their needs.
Among the various benefits of hardwood installation is the ease of placement, high quality looks and results, quick cleaning methods, as well as convenience for those with allergies. We take pride in making the process as easy as possible for customers. With our top notch contractors, the installation process is a breeze. Our consultants will help you narrow down choices to select the right fit for your home, then we’ll help you prepare for installation by giving you all the information to make sure you’re prepped for the big day.
Once in place, your new floor will be long lasting and easy to maintain. For those looking to eliminate time spent cleaning, this can be a huge a plus. Dusting can easily be done with microfibre cloths, a floor brush attachment on your vacuum, or even with electrostatic clothes available at the dollar store. For more in depth cleaning to remove build up, simply wipe the surface with a soft clean cloth (never use anything with an abrasive quality to avoid scuffing), lightly damp to the touch. Be sure to wipe away any excess water, and you’re good to go!
Ease of cleaning means that bacteria and dander build up is significantly reduced, making hardwood an excellent choice for those sensitive to environmental allergens. While we do recommend that those with pets be careful in their selection (surfaces can be subject to some wear and tear from constant contact with nails), cleaning up hair or muddy tracks is much faster in comparison to other surfaces.
Selecting the Right Hardwood for Your Home
With all of this in mind, the question often comes down to what kind of hardwood works best for a customer’s needs. Solid hardwood is a standard favourite, with long lasting durability and the ability to sand when a refinish is needed. Solid hardwood is best suited for main floor purposes (as it is more sensitive to heat and moisture), and comes in a variety of different wood options ranging from maple to parquet.
For those looking for flooring options for a basement, kitchen or bathroom installation, engineered hardwood provides a moisture resistant element that makes it easy to have the same elegant finish on any level of your home The ability to be placed over radiant heating makes it easy for your home to stay stylish and warm during colder months. Application over poured concrete finishes in the basement is possible, making it easy for your media centre, entertaining area or private escape to become a finished reality. Like solid hardwood, engineered hardwood comes in a variety of different wood options.
No matter what your job entails, Ashley Fine Floors has a hardwood option for you and is ready to help you get started with peace of mind. Contact us now to connect with either our Edmonton or Calgary locations, and to start planning your dream project today!