Hardwood Flooring – Features, Benefits, And Selection

Introduction:

Homeowners are increasingly opting for hardwood flooring. It enhances the appearance of any area while also providing a level of elegance and warmth that few other flooring solutions can match.

Any product made of wood designed for use as flooring, whether technically or aesthetically, is referred to as wood flooring. Wood flooring is a popular choice, and it comes in a wide range of styles, colors, cuts, and species.

There are generally three types of wood floorings:

1. Hardwood flooring.
2. Engineered wood flooring.
3. Laminate wood.

Here we will discuss Hardwood flooring.

What Is Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood flooring has long been one of the most popular floors covering options because of its functionality, versatility, and intrinsic natural appeal that lends each installation individuality and beauty.

Hardwood flooring is made from trees that develop at a slower rate, resulting in a considerably denser and more durable product than softwood flooring. As a result, they will survive longer and require less maintenance.

Compared to Hardwood flooring, softwood flooring is made from several trees; pine, fir, and cedar are used most commonly. These species develop swiftly and can be found in large numbers.

However, because of their fast growth, the wood becomes less dense and thus less durable. The National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOMFA) uses the Wood Hardness Rating scale to rate the durability of different species.

Features Of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is one of the best types of flooring that never goes out of style. It has been in continuous use for thousands of years, and despite countless shifts and changes in style and design, it has withstood the test of time, demonstrating that this material’s appearance never goes out of vogue. 

This is because hardwood creates an instant connection between indoor space and the natural world. Even in the most modern environment, we can obtain the sensation of a forest and the spirit of a densely thicketed wood.

There are various benefits of hardwood flooring. These are:

1) Unique Style

Each plank, board, or strip is a work of natural art on a hardwood floor, with its patterns and hues. This is made even more difficult because there are dozens of distinct domestic, imported, common, and uncommon hardwood species to pick from, each with its grain, color, and qualities. As a result, each time this material is installed, it becomes a one-of-a-kind feature.

2) Characteristics Of Hardwood

For wide-open rooms, wood is an excellent flooring option. This is because the grains and patterns on the wood surface will create the room’s backdrop.

They will also infuse the interest and design into the space, breaking up the monotony of the room. The use of plank, parquet, and tiny piece decorative hardwood installations will amplify this impact.

It will pick up subtle color shadings and minor scratches, nicks, and dents, which will accumulate on the surface and give your floor a distinct personality. That’s the kind of character you can’t buy; it takes years to develop.

More benefits of hardwood flooring are discussed at the end.

How To Choose Hardwood Flooring

When it comes to renovating a home, one of the most fundamental but crucial considerations a homeowner must make is the flooring.

While there are different materials to choose from, such as carpet and terrazzo, hardwood is universally accepted. However, not all hardwood flooring is made with the same vision, and picking one is more than just a matter of preference.

A variety of different elements can influence both appearance and performance. Some of the tips to choose hardwood flooring are mentioned below:

a) Choose Type Of Flooring: Solid Or Engineered Flooring

Generally, hardwood flooring found in the market is made of thick planks of solid timber. But nowadays, many companies also offer engineered flooring, which are planks made with a thin top layer of hardwood, bonded to other layers to prevent the floor from shifting during the expansion and contraction cycle.

We should be cautious in choosing the type of hardwood flooring. In some engineered flooring features, top layers are so thin that they can’t be sanded and refinished in the future.

A thicker layer is found on higher-quality items, ensuring that you can get as much useful wood as you would from a solid board.

b)  Choose The Finish Type: Prefinished Or Site Finish

Hardwood planks are available with a raw face that needs to be finished by a professional after installation, or we can purchase a prefinished type. Prefinished hardwood means the stain and topcoat are already applied to it before installation.

The advantages of prefinished hardwood are it takes less time to install, and the customer already gets the final product in coordinating their home’s color palette.

On the other hand, many homeowners and designers choose on-site finishing because it provides a certain level of customization.

c) Choose Another Type Of Finish: Oil Or Polyurethane Finish

Oil or polyurethane are the two most common types of finishes. Oil finishes provide a very soft, matte, and natural finish. Oil finishes are more prone to scratching, but they also hide scratches, but it is not impervious to stains and damages.

Polyurethane finishes provide a strong topcoat on the surface of the wood, making it more resistant to wear and tear, which is especially important for families with children or in kitchens where food is flying around. 

d)  Wood Type:

It is said that oak is the king of hardwood flooring. Another popular option is walnut. It has a rich color and is slightly softer than oak, making it excellent for areas that require a deeper finish.

If you want to change the color, start with something natural and add as little as possible to get the shade you want. In terms of color and grain, the option is mainly based on personal preference.

e)  Grain Pattern:

There are three different types of hardwood grain patterns based on the cutting of logs: plain-sawn, rift-sawn, and quarter-sawn. Plain-sawn wood grain has undulating patterns that are typical of the traditional wood grain.

By contrast, rift-sawn boards have a long, linear, continuous grain with no patterns. Quarter-sawn boards resemble rift boards but have more uneven detailing.

When it comes to wood grain, there are no good or bad options; it all depends on the application and desired look.

Benefits Of Hardwood Flooring

Some of the benefits of Hardwood Flooring are listed below.

1) It enhances the look of your home.

2) These are easy to clean and require low maintenance.

3) These are strong and durable.

4) Help in providing better air quality.

5) Looks good in all interior and exterior décor themes.

6) Add value to your home.

7) Long-lasting and cost-effective.

8) Their colors do not fade.

9) Improve acoustics in the home.

10) Refinish is possible.

Also Read –

Types Of Wood Used In Construction

Types Of Plywood & Their Uses

Types Of Floorings Used In Buildings

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