What You Should Know About Hardwood Flooring?

Among homeowners who are looking for new floors, hardwood floors are probably the most popular choice because of their durability and timeless appeal. Engineered and solid Hardwood Flooring Long Island can be classified as either.

Solid Hardwood

A solid hardwood floor is made from solid wood. The typical thickness of solid hardwood floors is 34 millimeters. It is possible to sand and refinish solid hardwood depending on its condition. Because of the boards’ ability to expand and contract with humidity and temperature, solid hardwood flooring is not suitable for basements and kitchens.

Pre-Engineered Hardwood

In order to construct engineered hardwood boards, three to five pieces of wood are blended into layers and bonded together. Solid hardwood floors are more expensive and complicated to install compared to engineered hardwood. In addition, it doesn’t expand or contract, so it can be installed just about anywhere in the house.

Finishes for flooring types

Site-finished hardwood floors and factory-finished hardwood floors are two types of finishes available.

• Site Finished – Floors can be customized more in this phase. A skilled craftsman is required during this phase. These floors are durable, easily cleaned, and unique.
• Factory Finished – typically the less expensive finish, this is an easier finish. The installation of factory finished floors is faster and easier, and the chemicals and odors are lessened. With factory finishes, fewer choices of floor design are available.

Wood types

Hickory flooring, cherry flooring, walnut flooring, ash flooring, maple flooring, mahogany flooring, and bamboo flooring are all types of wood species and colors that you can choose from for your hardwood floors.

• Softwood – Tree products such as pine, cedar, and fir are softwood. Their wood is not as durable and dense. Due to its rapid maturation, softwoods are more abundant, although they can be more difficult to refinish. Locally sourced softwood is more eco-friendly than imported hardwood.
• Softwood is produced by trees that grow much faster, but are much denser and more durable than hardwood. While hardwood tends to last longer and requires less upkeep, softwood grows much faster.
• Thickness – hardwood comes in a variety of thicknesses. As a rule, solid wood is 34 inches and can be refinished ten times. Since thinner boards can’t be sanded as much, they may not need to be refinished as often when sealed with a durable coating.
• Length – Less distracting end joints mean longer hardwood strips. You should use shorter pieces in a small room if you want the space to appear larger.
• Width – considering the overall look you want, six-inch planks have a more rustic appeal, however their joints may open wide during dry periods. Despite the appearance of busyness, two and one quarter-inch strips will remain tight. The best look is often achieved by mixing widths.
• Hardness – When you install hardwood, the harder it is, the less likely it will dent or gouge. For greater durability, look for hardwood that is harder.

Before you purchase hardwood floors, consider these factors

If Once you’ve decided to go ahead with hardwood flooring installation, be sure to order at least 10% more wood than you need. You should order 550 square feet if, for example, your floor area is 500 square feet. If there are any waste cuts, then you should order more. Having extra wood on hand is always better than running out during flooring installation.

The Final Words

When it comes to choosing hardwood floors, these are some key things to keep in mind:

• Is there a pet in your house? Hardwood floors may be more durable
• A lighter finish makes a smaller space appear larger
• How do you use your floor space? The best hardwood floors are engineered
• In design choices, the finish and texture of a floor can make a significant difference to its appearance

Choosing the right type of wood or species of hardwood for your budget is crucial.