3 Key Qualities To Look For In Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring can bring a room together in a matter of seconds. This summer, homeowners are springing into action and sprucing up their homes outside and indoors.  One popular move is replacing the flooring.  Let’s face it, floors get a lot of traffic, so maybe it’s time to consider installing hardwood flooring? You won’t be alone as it’s a popular choice.

However, beware not all floors are made equally.

In fact, some hardwood floors are water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and even stain-resistant. Not to mention, hardwood floors have different textures, colors, and finishes.

So before you make a big decision, it’s best to know what kind of hardwood flooring is right for you and what qualities to look for. Keep reading to learn more!

1. The Types of Hardwood Flooring

Qualities in hardwood flooring do vary depending on the wood type. For example, some hardwoods are not meant for busy homes and are better suited for pet-free homes.

For example, walnut, birch, black, and ash are better suited for quieter homes with no pets. These kinds of hardwood floors are more pricey, but they have more color and style variations.

Maple, hickory, and oak are used a lot in home renovations. These kinds of hardwood are popular because they are durable and are good for people with pets, children, and homes with a lot of traffic.

Lastly, these kinds of hardwoods are inexpensive when compared to other flooring options! So if you’re on a budget, consider these three wood floors.

2. Your Lifestyle

Your lifestyle should be highly considered when choosing hardwood floors. For families with pets and small children, water-resistant flooring can save lots of time and money.

Often, homeowners get hardwood floors installed but don’t choose water-resistant wood. Unfortunately, water damage can cause your wood to decay underneath and can cause lifting over time.

However, with water-resistant flooring, you can save money on repairs. You can learn more about water-resistant flooring here!

Similarly, for homeowners who host many parties and dinner, the floors can become scratched over time. That’s why it’s important to choose durable hardwood floorings like maple, oak, and hickory.

3. The Style and Finish

Hardwood floors have different colors and finishes. Therefore, your personal style should be considered when installing hardwood flooring.

You can pick between red, light, or dark-colored floors. You also have the option of doing a matte, satin, or glossy finish.

When deciding on a style, look at your kitchen cabinets, your furniture, and the overall style of your home.

If your home has darker tones like green, blue, and black, a walnut-colored floor with a matte finish could accentuate your home. On the other hand, for a home with bright furniture and white or eggshell walls, yellow or ash-colored floors with a glossy finish can look amazing!

Whatever you pick, remember to think long-term. If you’re constantly going through trends and changing furniture, then you might not like your hardwood floors in the future.

The best option is to pick a timeless style that can go with anything. These timeless styles usually have a matte finish and darker tones!

Resist choosing your flooring on price alone.  You may be surprised to know that many homeowners managing their own new build have made the mistake of not allowing enough in the budget for flooring and electing to go with an inferior quality because it was cheap.

The result being flooring that’s not wearing well. Also, if you have pets like cats and dogs, they will leave scratch marks on inferior quality flooring.

Ready for a Home Makeover?

Now that you know more about hardwood flooring, you can make your final decision. This can be an exciting process, and the final product will leave you speechless!

Browse our blog – especially our renovation category to read more helpful articles like these tips!