Hardwood flooring is a popular type of flooring for homeowners. It not only looks great but adds beauty and warmth to any room. There are many options available when it comes to hardwood flooring, which can make it difficult for you to know where to get started. Below is some information you will find helpful so you can get your new hardwood flooring installed.
Types of Hardwood Flooring
When it comes to hardwood flooring, you have many types to choose from. This includes solid hardwood, which is the most expensive. You can also choose engineered hardwood to save money, or, if you are eco-friendly, there is reclaimed hardwood flooring available.
Solid hardwood is made from a single piece of wood that is not only durable but lasts a long time. Engineered hardwood is made from multiple layers of wood, which makes it more resistant to moisture and temperature changes. Reclaimed hardwood is salvaged from old wood buildings, which offers unique flooring that looks great, especially if you have a rustic home.
Wood Species and Finishes
Once you choose the type of hardwood flooring you would like, you next have to choose the wood species. What you choose gives an impact on how durable your flooring is and how it looks. There are many wood species available, including cherry, maple, and oak.
Cherry is a much darker color, while maple and oak are much lighter. There are also a variety of wood finishes you can choose from for your flooring. This includes a high gloss, satin, and matte. The wood flooring installation contractor can show you what the different finishes look like.
Installation Methods
There are different ways hardwood flooring can be installed. The contractor you hire will choose what works best for the type of wood flooring you chose. This includes nailing down the wood or gluing down the wood. There is also floating wood flooring.
If the contractor chooses to nail down the flooring, this involves using special nails to nail the wood directly to the subfloor. With the glue-down method, the contractor uses an adhesive to adhere to the boards. A floating wood floor installation involves interlocking each wood board without using any kind of nails or adhesives.
Maintenance and Care
It is important that you learn how to take care of your new hardwood flooring. Keeping them properly maintained will help the flooring last much longer for you and stay in good condition.
This includes regular sweeping and damp mopping. If the floor is very dirty, always use a cleaner specifically made for hardwood flooring. Never use abrasive tools or harsh chemicals on the flooring as it will damage the floor.
For more information on hardwood flooring, contact a professional near you.