There is much more to choosing hardwood flooring than simply deciding on colour and grain. When selecting hardwood flooring for your home, you should consider the type of hardwood, location, maintenance, durability, and installation. Learn more about what you need to consider before purchasing your hardwood flooring below.
It’s All About Location
Homeowners often look to match their floors in all rooms, but they often neglect the risk of installing hardwood floors in moisture-prone locations. Hardwood is a natural material that reacts to moisture and changes in the environment. When installing hardwood flooring, make sure to consider the weather and moisture level in your home. Hardwood flooring in rooms that are more prone to moisture can start to cup and crown as the wood reacts to the increased humidity level. If the area is extensively humid, you might begin to see cracks in your hardwood. Avoid hardwood in wet areas like bathrooms or kitchens since hardwood floors aren’t water-resistant.
Installation and Maintenance
Hardwood floors are often seen as hard to maintain, but in reality, hardwood flooring is a low-maintenance option. Installation is the most crucial factor that will either make or break your hardwood flooring. Hiring an expert to install your flooring will ensure that your floors remain gorgeous and last longer! The better the installation, the lower the maintenance.
Colour also affects the maintenance of your hardwood flooring – the darker, the higher the maintenance. Dark coloured hardwood flooring can easily show dirt, stains and scratches, which is why it is best to install dark hardwood flooring in areas with low foot traffic. For areas with higher foot traffic, lighter coloured flooring is a better option. Some homeowners prefer to install multi-tone hardwood flooring since they already have a natural “stained” look to them and won’t clearly display stains, dust or dirt.
Durability
The type of wood used in hardwood can help you determine the durability of your hardwood flooring. White and red oak, for example, age very well and can withstand heavy traffic. Maple hardwood flooring is also a popular choice for modern homes as it has a light texture and is resistant to minor damages like scrapes from chair legs or scuffs.
Deciding On Hardwood Flooring For Your Home?
Visit our Edmonton store or contact one of our experts to learn more about choosing hardwood flooring for your home!