Hardwood floors can add a touch of elegance to any space. It can also complement almost any decor style, from traditional to modern.
The hardwood floor manufacturing process involves a series of basic flowing steps.
Once at the mills, the wood is sized and cut into planks. Then, it’s seasoned and prepared for flooring.
Hardwood floors are durable and long-lasting, able to endure years of foot traffic. They are resistant to dents and scratches, and can be sanded and refinished many times throughout their lifespan. However, the durability of wood flooring also depends on proper installation and maintenance, including sweeping frequently, cleaning with recommended products, avoiding excessive moisture, and using rugs or doormats at every entrance to prevent damage from dirt, dust, and water.
Choosing the right hardwood floor species is essential to your project, as different woods have different levels of general durability. Durability is measured by a standard known as the Janka hardwood hardness scale, which rates how difficult it is to dent or scratch a particular species of hardwood. Choosing a wood with a higher Janka rating will help to ensure your hardwood can stand up to high levels of foot traffic and daily wear.
Some of the most popular hardwoods for high-traffic areas are oak, maple, and hickory. These durable hardwoods work well with any design style and can be paired with a wide variety of stain colors and textures. They are also available in wider planks to create a more modern look.
Other durable hardwood options include ash and jatoba. While they may not be as hard as hickory or maple, they have an attractive grain pattern and are a good choice for a more traditional aesthetic. Oak and hickory are also easier to clean than some other types of hardwood, which can make them a better choice for busy families.
In addition to their natural durability, hardwood floors are environmentally friendly. Solid hardwood requires more trees to harvest than engineered hardwood, but it can be reclaimed and reused in other projects or recycled at the end of its lifespan. Engineered hardwood, on the other hand, uses less of the tree per plank, and incorporates byproducts and waste into its construction.
Wood flooring can last a lifetime, and is more affordable than other flooring materials over time. By taking care of your hardwood floors, you can extend their life and preserve the beauty of your home for generations.
Natural Aesthetics
Hardwood is a classic beauty that effortlessly brightens rooms and accentuates interior design styles, from traditional elegance to modern Scandinavian minimalism. Wood floors can also add a natural texture and warmth to homes, helping them feel more calming and welcoming.
The wide range of colors, shades and wood species available with hardwood flooring provides homeowners with the ability to find a floor that perfectly matches their home’s style. Many options also exist for staining wood, making it possible to customize the color and appearance of your flooring. In addition, wood floors can be installed in a variety of patterns and designs, like herringbone or parquet, to enhance a room’s aesthetic.
Hardwood flooring is also a great option for those looking to incorporate the principles of biophilic design into their homes. This design concept is based on the human’s innate connection with nature and focuses on incorporating natural elements into the built environment to improve health, happiness, and wellness.
When choosing a hardwood floor, consider the following factors to help narrow down your options:
Grain Pattern – Different types of wood have unique grain patterns that can give your floors a rustic or minimalist look. Typically, oak has a pronounced grain, while maple has a smoother appearance.
Color – Hardwood floors come in a range of colors, from light tones that make rooms feel spacious and open to dark hues that lend warmth and coziness. Consider how the color of your hardwoods will complement the colors and textures in your furniture, wall art, and other decor.
Texture – Choose from smooth, wire-brushed, or distressed finishes to create a style that fits your home’s aesthetic. Smooth and polished floors are ideal for contemporary designs, while wire-brushed or distressed hardwoods work well with casual or rustic interior styles.
Once a luxury material, hardwood has become an affordable option for homeowners who want to add elegance and timeless charm to their home. As a result, it has become a sought-after material in new construction and renovation projects. Additionally, studies have shown that homes with hardwood floors are more appealing to potential homebuyers, and can even increase resale value.
Easy Maintenance
Hardwood floors are a beautiful addition to any home. They are durable enough to withstand heavy foot traffic and are easy to keep clean with regular sweeping and the occasional mop. Even if your hardwoods become scratched or gouged over time, you can easily refinish them to remove the damage. As long as you choose a hardwood species that has been properly rated using the Janka hardness scale, you can expect them to last for years and provide an attractive look to your home.
Unlike carpet fibres, hardwood floors don’t trap dust and other allergens. This makes them a healthier option for allergy sufferers who spend most of their time indoors. Regular cleaning with a wood cleaner will ensure that your hardwood floors remain as clean as the day they were installed.
Hardwood flooring can also be made to withstand moisture and humidity better than some other materials. Both solid and engineered hardwood flooring are available in different moisture resistance ratings. However, it is important to remember that all natural products are susceptible to water damage. Solid hardwood flooring is best used in above-ground areas like living and dining rooms, bedrooms and kitchens, while engineered hardwood is ideal for use in lower-level rooms where the floor may be exposed to moisture.
Both types of hardwood flooring are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. They can be combined with many different types of furniture to create a cohesive look in any room. In addition, both types of hardwood can be customized with various surface treatments and color effects.
If you are considering installing hardwood in your home, the professionals at 50 Floor would be happy to help. Schedule an in-home consultation with us to see how these beautiful floors can enhance your home’s style. We will bring samples of a variety of hardwood floors to your home and discuss how they would coordinate with your existing decor. Contact us today to set up your appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!
Reliability
When it comes to wood flooring, the durability of your choice depends on the type of hardwood you select and how much use you are planning to put it through. Solid and engineered woods both are durable options, but the way they’re made varies their durability and level of resistance to scratches and dents.
With solid hardwood, each plank is a solid piece of wood all the way through. As a result, it’s more resistant to dents and can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its lifespan. This flooring can’t be installed below grade or in areas of high humidity, as moisture may cause the wood to expand and warp over time.
Hardwood flooring that’s sourced and harvested responsibly is a good choice for the environment. It’s a renewable resource that can be reclaimed and reused in other products or recycled when it’s no longer useful. It also doesn’t contain harmful chemicals or VOCs and is completely biodegradable when it’s discarded at the end of its life.
Solid hardwoods are available in a variety of species, colors and grain patterns. Walnut and hickory are both durable choices that will look beautiful in any home, while ash offers a lighter color with a distinctive grain pattern. Whatever you choose, a gorgeous hardwood floor will add to the value of your home and become a conversation piece.
Engineered hardwood floors are made up of different layers of traditional wood and processed woods that are glued together. On top of this layering is a veneer of real hardwood, which gives the floors their appearance. The internal layers can be plywood or HDF and sometimes even lower-quality woods like oriented strand board (OBS). This means that the internal layers aren’t as sturdy as the hardwood veneer, which can make these floors less resistant to dents and scratches.
However, many premium engineered wood collections feature a thicker hardwood veneer, making them more resilient against these problems. These higher quality collections also tend to have a stronger surface finish, which helps protect the floors against dirt and scuffing.
