Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is Beautiful

Hardwood flooring comes in many different shapes, sizes, grains, and colors, so you’re sure to find one that matches your taste and your budget. We can help you sort through all the options so that you get the exact look and feel that you want for your home. 

Hardwood flooring is also one of the home design trends that has stood up to the test of time. They never go out of style and, when properly maintained and refinished, they only gain more character as they age.  

But this flooring isn’t just for looks. Let’s talk about what hardwood can do to increase the value of your home while complementing your lifestyle. 

Hardwood Can Increase Your Home’s Value

There are a variety of factors that can affect your home’s value, and flooring is one of them! Some homebuyers are wowed by hardwood and others have just come to expect it – but either way, that means that hardwood is a good investment. 

Realtor.com states that hardwood can increase your home’s resale value by up to 2.5%. And, in the 2017 Remodeling Impact Survey conducted by the National Associaton of Realtors, refinished hardwood flooring came out on top as one of the most appealing projects to prospective buyers. 

Why the craze? Because with proper installation, maintenance and refinishing, hardwoods can last longer than almost any other flooring option – all without sacrificing visual appeal. Which brings us to our next point…

Hardwood is Durable

Ever-increasing in popularity, hardwood is also one of the most durable options – especially the pre-finished varieties. Many prefinished hardwood flooring options even come with long term manufacturer’s warranties. Oak, maple, and cherry are the most common species used for flooring because of their high grade of hardness. However, there are several other options including walnut and hickory. Just remember – the harder your wood, the more durable your floor!

But Is Hardwood Really Right for Me?

We believe that hardwood is right for just about anybody. However, there are several options to choose from and we don’t want you to become overwhelmed. Let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions and go over the pros and cons of the different types of hardwood flooring. 

What’s the Difference Between Solid and Engineered Hardwood?

Traditional hardwoods are comprised of solid wood boards, milled from a single piece of wood. Engineered hardwood flooring offers the look of the real thing at a slightly lower price point. This is accomplished by veneering a multi-layer base with a thin layer of real hardwood. The thicker the hardwood layer, the more expensive the engineered hardwood will be. 

For example: Pre-finished solid red oak hardwood flooring costs about five dollars ($5) per square foot. Engineered red oak flooring will cost somewhere between three dollars ($3) and four dollars ($4) per square foot – depending on the thickness of the hardwood layer. 

What Are the Benefits of Solid Hardwood Flooring?

Solid hardwood is generally more expensive because it lasts much longer. Because it is comprised of solid pieces of wood, it can be refinished many times – giving it the potential to last for decades. 

What Are the Benefits of Engineered Hardwood Flooring?

While it usually cannot be refinished (the thin layer of hardwood would be stripped away), there are other benefits to engineered hardwoods. It can be installed over any type of flooring, including concrete. Instead of being nailed in place, as solid hardwood is, engineered hardwood planks are snapped together via grooves on the sides of the planks. 

There is also less chance of gapping or cupping with engineered hardwoods because they are less likely to swell and contract than solid hardwoods. They also always come prefinished, so once you’re done installing, your floor is finished!

What’s the Difference Between Prefinished and Unfinished Hardwood?

Until recently, solid hardwood was always installed first and then stained and finished. This is what’s known as “unfinished hardwood.”

“Prefinished hardwood” just means that the stain and topcoat have already been applied, so you can install and go. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of Unfinished Hardwood?

Pros:

• Smoothest option – because installed and then sanded, there’s no height discrepancy between boards. 
• Custom Colors – because you apply the stain after, you can have something custom mixed up at a paint store.
• Lower material costs – On average, unfinished hardwoods cost about a dollar ($1) less than prefinished. Just remember you have to buy the stain as well!

Cons: 

• More time-consuming to install – since the floor is finished in phases it can take several days to complete. 
• Messier – sanding requires cleanup and staining and finishing products produce fumes that often require ventilation.
• Higher installation costs – the extra labor required to stain and finish your floor after installation may mean that it’s more expensive, depending on labor costs in your area. On the other hand, keep in mind that hiring professionals may offer you recourse in case there are defects in your floor. When you do it yourself, you’re the only one responsible!

What Are the Pros and Cons of Prefinished Hardwood?

Pros:

• Lower installation cost – since there are no staining and finishing costs, having your floor professional installed will almost certainly be cheaper than with unfinished hardwoods
• No exposure to dust from sanding or toxic fumes from staining and finishing products
• Comes with a manufacturer’s warranty that guarantees against defects in the finish coat and stain. 

Cons:

• No custom colors – while there are several options to choose from, most manufacturers have a set list of options.
• May not be as even – since they are pre-stained and finished, you cannot sand these floors once they are installed (as it would ruin the finish). This can mean a slight difference in height from board to board. 

If you have more questions, or you would like help conceptualizing your new hardwood floors, contact one of our flooring specialists today!