All About Hardwood Flooring

Here are some questions and answers you may want to think about:

What is the room's main use?  High traffic areas (hallways, kitchens, playrooms) need different considerations than low traffic areas.  Dark woods and finishes will show wear faster than a lighter shade.  Special treatment is also necessary in order to keep the wood in these high traffic areas new looking.  Screening (light sanding) and reapplication of finish every year to year and a half is recommended.  Satin or low-shine finishes hold up well and show less wear than higher gloss finishes.

What types of wood are there to choose from?  Some of the most popular species are oak, maple, cherry, walnut, beech, and birch, but there are many other types, also.  The area of the house the flooring is being installed and the material it will be covering will affect your choice.  For example, solid woods are not recommended for areas below ground level (basements) and maple, pine and some cherry species are not recommended for use over radiant heat.

What color will work best?  As you might suspect, darker woods make a room feel smaller (or cozy, if you prefer), while lighter woods give an airy, open feel.  Dark works well with formal or traditional aesthetics, and light woods complement a casual, contemporary look. 

What is "grade?"  What is the "cut?"  The grade of the wood is the same as grades in school.  The higher the grade, the better, or clearer, the wood.  Each wood species has different standards.  The cut of the wood is the angle the saw moved through the wood in relation to the grain of the wood.  There are three main kinds of cuts: plainsawn, riftsawn, and quartersawn.  Among the three, there are pronounced differences in strength and cost.    

What pattern will work best?  While straight planks are the most popular style of hardwood flooring, there are many other designs to choose from.  Make sure you know exactly what you want and that you and your contractor (if you are using one) are on the same page.

While installing hardwood flooring yourself is possible, it is a good idea to consult a professional to at least answer some of your questions.  There is a lot to consider and having someone with the background and know-how will make the whole process much smoother. 

More information on hardwood flooring