How Do You Know What Flooring Is Best For Your Needs?

Copyright (c) 2014 Eli Gali

If you watch the potential home buyers on television they always say they want hardwood floors throughout the house. At least the women do. Most of the men do not care one way or another. As long as the wife likes the house and he has his man cave, he is happy. There can be no doubt that hardwood flooring can be breathtakingly beautiful. It can be rich and warm. And it can be very expensive. For those with a budget you must ask yourself where you are placing the hardwood warrants the expense. For example, you may live in an area with high humidity. In this case you may think twice and select tile for your foyer.

There is a quality about wood floors called dimensional stability. It is not as complex as it sounds, but it is very important. In simple terms, specific types of wood react differently to humidity. Just like garage doors and front doors, some wood used for flooring will expand with increased humidity. Unless the right wood is used, the floor can expand and warp. There are woods that stand up to high humidity better than others. Your experienced sales person at your flooring store will be able to show you the best choices for your application.

Something else a homeowner needs to consider is if they plan to use the hardwood flooring in high traffic areas. Hallways would be one example. If everyone in the house uses a certain hallway 15 times a day, a soft wood will show wear and tear easily and would be a bad investment.

There are genuine wood floors that can take high traffic. Some of the woods that are the hardest are pine, California redwood and African mahogany. Some of the oldest homes in the South have pine floors because pine was so abundant. When you do come across one of these homes that is over 100 years old, the original pine floors are as good as new. Sometimes they have to be sanded and refinished, but the actual planks have survived.

Now it can begin to get complicated and this is why you need expert help. Let's say you have selected a wood source that will withstand your high traffic but when you look at its dimensional stability, the rating is very poor. You will have to go back to the drawing board.

Normally hardwood floor planks are unfinished oak planks 3/4-inch thick and 2 1/4-inches wide. Be advised that some hardwoods cannot be installed directly over concrete or in a basement and are usually nailed down versus glued, stapled or floated. Therefore, you need to be aware of your foundation.

Unfinished floors are more expensive; expert on-site sanding and finishing is required for the most perfect outcome. However, on-site finishing means you can customize your floors and make changes along the way. Prefinished floors come with the finish already in place and cannot be altered. Prefinished hardwood floors may be a healthier option for those suffering from allergies or asthma as the fumes from finishes being installed on-site might be hazardous and require more ventilation time.

Comments? Questions? Email Here

© HowtoAdvice.com

How to Advice .com