- There are many options when it comes to selecting the type of wood flooring for your home. Solid hardwood products are the more traditional option. These should be installed only at or above grade and are therefore inappropriate for a basement. Solid hardwood flooring can come either prefinished or unfinished. Unfinished flooring must be sanded and finished on site. Another option is prefinished engineered flooring. Engineered flooring is more resistant to contraction and expansion and can be installed on any level, including the basement. This type of wood tends to be much quicker and easier to install.
- Once you have selected the type of hardwood flooring you are interested in, you will need to select a finish. Carefully consider the uses of the room that you will be installing the floor in. If it has very light traffic or is seldom used, a lighter finish may be a good option. Hardness won't be as much of an issue in rooms like this, either. For a hallway or room with a lot of through traffic, you will want a harder floor and possibly a darker finish that will mask the inevitable scratches and dents. Kitchens tend to look best with a finish that is somewhere around the middle of the spectrum. Going too dark or too light can be off-putting for this room. If you want your hardwood flooring to have a smooth, flawless appearance, be prepared to refinish at least every 5 years. However, if you don't mind a few dents and scratches, you may be able to last anywhere from 10 to 20 years before you need to refinish.
- Click-type floors are becoming a popular option for the home improvement do-it-yourself type. These hold up well in most areas. However, you should avoid installing this type of flooring in areas of high moisture, such as the kitchen or near exterior doors. For other types of flooring, you need to hire a professional. Take the time to do your homework when selecting your installer. It is critically important that your flooring is installed properly by an experienced professional, or it can go terribly wrong.
- Hardwood floors offer many benefits. They typically add a great deal of value to your home. Hardwood flooring is also ideal for those who suffer from allergies or who are concerned about the air quality in their home. This surface is more resistant to dust mites, molds and pet dander that can easily get trapped in carpeting. Hardwood flooring can easily be installed in any room except the bathroom. The high moisture there makes hardwood a bad option.
- When considering hardwood flooring, plan to make some changes in your daily chores. This type of flooring requires a special cleaner, which may vary depending on the specific product you choose. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning. Hardwood flooring also needs to be carefully protected from extensive wear and tear as well as moisture. A good preventive measure is to cover high traffic areas with rugs. This includes entryways, hallways and places where people will frequently stand for long periods of time, such as in front of the stove and kitchen sink. You should also use floor protectors underneath any furniture that is placed on your hardwood floors. Keep an eye out for dirt, sand and pebbles that may be tracked into the house, and keep a small hand-vac for quickly cleaning up these messes. With a few precautions and simple maintenance and care, hardwood floors can be a great option for any home.
