Choosing the Perfect Hardwood Flooring for your Home

Hardwood flooring makes an excellent option for just about any home. It is considered easy maintenance and cleaning, and it looks good. It doesn’t matter where you buy your floor from, but there are other factors you want to consider. Once you’ve made the choice to acquire hardwood flooring, you are making an investment for the future. This is exactly why you want to carefully consider the details. Here is what you need keep in mind:

Wood Type

The type of wood you want for your floor is based primarily on personal taste. Oak is among the most preferred options. Oak is one of the hardest flooring options, which is beautiful and is a great value. Most often the type of wood flooring you choose is dictated by color and your choice along with the other finishes in your rooms. Marrying the design of your room will help define the wood your choose. Applying the right finish to your wood can give you the color results you are after that you did not realize were possible. Other popular types of flooring include ash, maple, walnut, birch and cherry. Each of them creates different looks and feel to a room, but the great this is that you have endless choices of options.

Finish

The type of finish is very important. It is directly linked with floor cleaning and maintenance, which is good to consider. There are some hardwood floors that come without finish, and you have to apply it after laying them. If you are interested in this option, it is best to test the finish on a sample board or a hidden area first before applying it to the entire floor. That way you will avoid any mistakes or give you the option to change your mind on the finish color. Most people go after pre-finished flooring with either lacquer or oil finishes. Lacquer gives the floor a shiny look, while oil presents a more natural look. Lacquered floors are attractive and beautiful and after cleaning, they give an appearance of a polished look.

Grade

There is a common misconception that higher grade means better quality of the hardwood floor. This is not true as the grade merely creates a different look, because it is a representation of the color of wood and grain. That is why it is important to see a large enough sample or a picture of flooring laid in a room to help you make the best decisions on your flooring.

Width and Length

Deciding on these two parameters is very important, as they are going to greatly influence the look of the floor. The general rule is that wider boards are more fitting for large areas while slimmer boards could suit smaller areas. Additionally, using long boards can create length to a small room.

Laying Direction

Last but not least, you need to decide on the laying direction of the wood. The pattern and direction in which you lay your floor has a significant impact on the final look. Usually this point is best discussed with a flooring expert, who can give you the most adequate advice. There is always the chance of a floor piece looking out of character, as wood is a natural product that comes with large variation of color and knots. Keep this mind, as it can be crucial for the end result. You don’t want an odd looking piece staring out from in the middle of the room, do you?

Carefully consider these factors before your choose and lay your hardwood floor. That way you can give your room a beautiful floor and a pleasing end result.

Heather Roberts is a freelance guest blogger from London, UK. Currently she writes on behalf of: Cleaners Carpet Cleaning Ltd.