6 Reasons Hardwood Flooring Will Help Sell Your Home

What do home buyers want today?

A study produced by the National Association of Realtors, found that 54 percent of home buyers are willing to pay more for hardwood flooring.

Whether you’re considering a remodel, or are getting your home ready for selling, hardwood flooring may be the perfect addition to your home. Here is some food for thought on why hardwood flooring will help sell your home.

Hardwood flooring adds value to your home

Let’s start with the most obvious. Besides being attractive and making a good first impression when potential home buyers walk through the front door, it also boosts how much money they’re willing to put down. Realtors report home prices can increase by as much as 5 percent of the asking price if they have hardwood in the main living quarters.

If you’re considering a remodel, it’s good to keep in mind that the average return on investment (ROI) for installing hardwood ranges between 70 to 80 percent.

Use this as you plan out your remodel. Will you be investing in hardwood flooring for immediate resale? Or will you be enjoying your new flooring for a few years before putting it up for sale? That may alter what type of hardwood you put in.

With today’s technology, there are many ways to get the look of hardwood.

  • Solid hardwood is always a wise choice. Its classic beauty can last for decades if well cared for.
  • Engineered hardwood gives you classic looks at a more affordable price.
  • Laminate provides more functionality and stands up better where traditional hardwood may have a problem.
  • Luxury vinyl planks mimic the best of solid hardwood, yet can offer waterproof options that are perfect for moist and humid areas.
  • Tile planks are growing in popularity for giving you the functionality of tile with the looks of hardwood.

Hardwood flooring is aesthetically pleasing

Hardwood flooring is the one material that remains relevant and continues to look good throughout the years.

Maybe it’s because of its flexibility. It works effectively with almost any design theme, and in any situation. Prefer a clean, modern look with minimalistic lines? Hardwood flooring works perfectly. Want country chic? Hardwood gives you just what you’re looking for. Prefer rustic, reminiscent of an old skiing lodge? Yep, hardwood works there too.

6 Reasons Hardwood Flooring Will Help Sell Your HomeIt may also be from hardwood’s ability to look even better with age. Because you can sand it down and refinish it time and again, some of the very things that give it an original look make it even better over time. You can feel the history just by walking into the room.

Of course, if natural beauty is your thing, you can’t go wrong with hardwood flooring. It’s worked in homes for thousands of years – who can argue with what works? There’s something about knowing how your hardwood flooring is sourced that can give you an added bonus of knowing you’re adding sustainability and classic materials to your home as you complete your remodel.

Hardwood flooring offers durability that lasts for years

Durability stems from providing a surface that’s long-lasting and easy to care for.

Hardwood flooring provides all of that and more. In fact, they’re so durable, they’ve lasted for centuries in some cases, and still look good.

Solid hardwood planks provide strength to a residential setting. If you focus on quality, they offer a high-quality surface area. With the right sealant, your regular household activities won’t impact the surface. You’ll sweep away dust and debris with a quick swipe of a broom. Spills will also be wiped away easily, leaving nothing but the quality shining through every single day.

And when the years go by and the shine disappears, the planks still have life in them. Just sand them down and refinish them. You can change the color, or keep it the same. Then repeat it again somewhere down the road.

What other flooring can give you all of that?

Hardwood flooring stands the test of time

Every generation has its style and fads. Think shag carpet. The colors orange, gold, and avocado green. How about Pergo?

Each style and fad is reminiscent of a certain period in time.

Hardwood, however, stands the test of time. You’ll find it in residential homes through every generation. You’ll find it used in homes in ancient civilizations.

That’s because nothing is better than using building materials right from the source. It’s one thing that will never go out of style.

Hardwood flooring offers a clean, allergy-friendly surface

Want a surface area that won’t hold dust, dirt, or other contaminants? Look no further than hardwood flooring.

Its natural qualities also mean it doesn’t bring in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It’s created and manufactured from solid hardwood.

If you suffer from allergies, hardwood won’t harbor dust mites and other pollutants the way other flooring choices may.

It also makes cleaning a breeze. A simple swipe of a broom carries potential problems away.

Hardwood flooring can be refinished multiple times without having to replace the floors

If you are living in your forever home, your idea of a “dream home” may change from time to time.

You’re looking for light and airy today. You prefer dark and dramatic tomorrow.

With hardwood, that’s okay.

When you’re ready for a change, skip buying and installing new flooring. Instead, you can sand it down and refinish it to give you the fresh appearance you’re looking for. Sanding it down takes it back to a smooth surface area. New stain and sealant give it its new appearance.

And you’ll fall in love all over again.

Are you ready to make your house more sellable? 

Then it’s time to install hardwood.

While traditional hardwood is always a good choice, it’s not your only choice. Let your preferences and lifestyle lead the way to finding the perfect hardwood flooring to make your house a home.

And create a house that will be a future buyer’s dream come true too.

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How To Match Vinyl, Laminate, and Solid Hardwood

In a perfect world, you would install all new flooring throughout your house at the same time. Yet most of us don’t live in a world where that’s possible. Instead, we take it one remodel at a time, hoping we can match up the flooring between rooms well enough that it won’t be noticeable.

If you’ve ever walked into a home where the flooring doesn’t coordinate, you know there’s more to it than a simple install.

You’re ready to remodel the kitchen. You want it to flow into the living space you renovated last year. How do you ensure the flooring looks great from room to room?

The difference between matching hardwood and coordinating

There are two basic concepts in design: matching and coordinating. While similar in principle, they are slightly different when put into practice.

Matching is a concept we learn early in life through matching games. We put things together based on color, shape, and size. A red square goes with a red square. A right gray shoe goes with a left gray shoe. We look for things that appear to be the same, and fit together nicely in a set.

Coordinating puts items together that might not be a perfect match, but somehow fit together anyway. The color is the same, but the texture is different. Or the shape is the same, and the pattern is different. They may not be identical, but they go together anyway. You’ll find this every day in the way you dress. A light pink silk shirt coordinates well with a dark burgundy skirt.

How matching and coordinating helps you with flooring

Now let’s return to selecting flooring. You installed hardwood in a room last year, and this year it’s time for a new remodel. You have a space in mind. You’ve picked out the decor, and the paint has been purchased. But what to do with the floors?

Matching would give you the same flooring as you flow from one room to another. Matching would mean that with every installation, the new floor is the same color, texture, and size. Planks would be the same width. The stain would match in color. When everything is installed, it would appear that it was all done simultaneously.

Coordinating would allow you to create harmony throughout your home in different ways. It may contain hardwood in one room, vinyl in another, and laminate in a third. What ties them all together is the ability to live in harmony. Comfort instead of chaos. The colors would blend, the shades would go together, and you’d tie it all in with the decor.

Matching hardwood to hardwood

One of the most common requests we receive is installing hardwood in a new room and matching it to another already in place.

The existing hardwood has been installed for a while. It’s been walked on, worn, even faded from the sun. If you placed a new plank on top of it, you’d be surprised at the color change. Is there any way to match the two up?

If this is the case, it’s best to try and match the tones from one floor to another. Ensure you purchase new hardwood that is closest to the color. It might not be the exact same shade. You may have to select a slight variation to ensure it flows freely. Consider your decor as well to ensure it coordinates well. If you have red undertones, for example, you wouldn’t want to introduce grays.

Custom staining is also an option. Instead of trying to select prefinished hardwood, the installer would custom-mix the stain to match the flooring already laid. Be sure to use a professional with experience in custom mixing colors, and understands how to match colors already in place.

Matching hardwood to vinyl

Hardwood is a great choice for living space. When you move to the bathroom, it may not be your best choice.

When considering your options, it’s hard not to fall in love with vinyl. Today’s luxury vinyl planks mimic hardwood so closely, it often fools even professionals who work with it regularly.

What makes luxury vinyl planks so impressive is they are durable, and can be waterproof. That makes them the perfect choice for moisture-prone rooms like the bathroom.

But is it possible to install vinyl against hardwood?

That’s where coordinating comes into play. The key to great flooring is to pay attention to the transition. Transition strips connect two different types of flooring together, so they blend well as you move from one to another. It’s a board between the two floors for a smooth transition. It can be nailed in, screwed in, or laid with adhesive.

This is where coordinating comes in handy. Select colors that coordinate well, have the same tones or qualities. This is where a color palette can help. Stick with the same undertones – grays, reds, or browns. Think of the lighter shirt complementing the darker skirt.

Matching hardwood to laminate

Laminate provides a different quality than traditional hardwood. Many homeowners prefer laminate in places like the kitchen because they stand up to heavy traffic better, and won’t be impacted by moisture in the same way as hardwood. Want to match your hardwood and laminate for a cohesive look? Make sure the appearances are similar so the transition will be seamless as you move from one to another.

To coordinate the two effectively, a lot of professionals use transition strips. This is where it pays to have a professional who has done this many times. They’ll understand how to blend colors, and ensure a seamless look.

What’s the best flooring for your remodel?

What’s holding you back from installing new floors? If you know hardwood isn’t right for your space, but you want it to look good with the hardwood already in place, why not coordinate it with vinyl or laminate? Each type of flooring offers different benefits and options. Why not pick the right flooring to suit your needs?

https://pro-flooring.com/a-step-by-step-guide-to-choosing-flooring-for-your-remodel/

Transitions are easy when you work with a professional. You can have the best look, working together with different products and textures.

What’s the best flooring choice to suit your needs?

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Selecting The Right Hardwood Floor Color For Your Space

When most homeowners shop for new flooring, they come in with a goal in mind. Maybe they’ve dreamed of hardwood, and have a vision of it throughout their living space.

Yet starting the process may be more difficult than it seems. Suddenly, multiple samples are available to you. And the more you look, the more they appear the same. Should you choose Golden Oak, Colonial Maple, Golden Brown, or Red Mahogany?

Don’t think it gets any easier once you have a hue. Coming in with “dark” or “light” in mind can still leave you scratching your head when you start to lay samples side by side.

This one has a little more red. That one has a little more gray.

Which choice should you make?

Choosing the right hardwood floor color – where to begin

Selecting The Right Hardwood Floor Color For Your SpaceInstalling hardwood is a great choice for homeowners. It’s a flooring choice you’ll enjoy now and for many years to come. Hardwood is durable, easy to clean, easy to maintain, and you’ll fall in love with it a little more each day.

With any flooring you choose, your ultimate goal is to set the stage for aesthetics and decor. Your flooring is the baseline for whatever else you bring into your room.

For most homeowners, they choose a maximum of three flooring choices to use throughout the home.

  • Hardwood for all main living spaces
  • Carpet for bedrooms
  • Tile for bathrooms

This is one of the most common game plans for remodels and renovations. There’s a reason for this: it creates a cohesive look, and offers functionality where you need it most.

You can use your current decor to help point you in the right direction. What color are your cabinets? What choices have you made with furnishings? What ambiance are you trying to create?

Whether you move towards dark, light, or middle of the road, color choices appeal to what’s deep inside of each and every one of us. When we see our “dream” home, it usually comes predetermined by colors, tones, and hues.

Middle colors of hardwood flooring

When homeowners first venture into hardwood flooring, they usually start with middle of the road colors. Think oak or pine. It’s popular and classic, and looks good no matter what aesthetics you prefer.

It won’t be so dark that you worry about the color. It won’t be so light that you’ll worry about brightness and seeing everything that accumulates in the nooks and crannies. It’s durable. And you’ll find middle colors just about everywhere you go.

What’s more, middle hues go with just about any decor. It complements almost any furniture genre, and will coordinate well with whatever color furnishing you desire.

Middle hues also give you the possibility of playing with your flooring in other ways. Want to add a bit of gray to your hardwood? Or how about moving toward reds? You’ll be amazed at how much you can change your surroundings just by moving a shade or two away from a “classic”. You might even consider mixing, selecting multi-color wood with side-by-side planks in slightly different shades. This works well, especially if you have lighter furnishings, as it will give you depth and allow the rest of your aesthetics to pop.

Dark colors of hardwood flooring

Dark hardwood floors are on-trend and have been popular in some homes for as long as hardwood flooring has been around. The old plantation-style homes are often reminiscent of dark flooring and equally classic furniture. But don’t think you need a country home to utilize this dark color hue. You’ll find it equally as appealing in a condo thirty floors up in the heart of Downtown Denver.

That’s because dark hardwood flooring works great with a variety of colors and fabrics. They’re a great choice if you’re trying to create something formal and contemporary. They’re also a great choice if you’re moving more toward rustic and casual. Because there are so many choices, you’ll find one that works well with your style and mood.

We find dark hardwood flooring works exceptionally well when you have an open concept floorplan that lets the beauty of the hardwood shine through. It may be a bit too dark for small rooms, giving them an even smaller look and feel. They also work better with larger planks – fewer seams show off the dark flooring. If you have your heart set on dark hardwood, the best way to select your color is to narrow it down to a few choices, and bring them home to see how they feel.

Light colors of hardwood flooring

Light is in abundance here in Colorado. Why not play off that light and add even more light to your home! Light hardwood floors have many favorable design aspects that homeowners love. Because their light color stands the test of time, it’s not unreasonable that light hardwood will give you decades worth of wear.

Floors with lighter finishes go with just about anything. It gives you a great choice when you’re in love with white furnishings, without truly installing white flooring. Oak and Maple maybe two of the most popular choices, but there are many more options. Ash and Hickory bring light flooring with new hues and tones, something that may be more appealing to your sense of decor.

There aren’t many spaces that aren’t created with light floors in mind – they look good everywhere. While some may feel light flooring will be harder to clean and maintain, the opposite is almost always true. It’s often harder to see dust and debris, and if a spill does occur, it’s easy to see and to clean.

What’s your shade – selecting the perfect hardwood color

Do you prefer to stick with trendy colors, giving your home a popular look and feel? Black stains, natural-looking hardwood, or planks with gray undertones are sure to meet your expectations.

Love classic good looks? You’ll never go wrong if you stick with mid-range colors, even if you move a little toward grays, whites, or reds.

Start with your gut – most homeowners have a feeling for what they want almost from the beginning. Narrow it to a few selections, and live with samples for a few days.

You’ll find yourself leaning towards one or the other.

Stop by today, and we’ll help you find the perfect selection to suit your needs.

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Fall Is The Best Season To Buy and Install New Hardwood Floors

Choosing flooring is a critical decision for both design and functionality. When a homeowner decides to remodel a room or renovate an entire house, flooring sets the stage for personality and lifestyle.

Of course, you have different options. You may love the stone tile you’ve seen in your local decorating magazine. Or have loved the new carpet installed in a friend’s new media room. But is it the right choice for you? Will it serve all of your needs?

For homeowners today, there are a plethora of choices when it comes to buying and installing new flooring. But only one stands above the rest as one of the most requested and well-loved flooring choices: Hardwood.

If you’re dreaming of new hardwood floors in your home, the choices don’t stop once you’ve set your eye on the target of hardwood. All hardwood flooring isn’t created equally. Yes, color will be an essential choice. Yet durability and performance are equally important.

Where do you start? And what’s the best season to complete your flooring project? What should you know before you say “yes” to new hardwood floors?

Let’s start with when – What’s the best season for new hardwood floors?

Fall Is The Best Season To Buy and Install New Hardwood FloorsAsk four people about the best season for installing new hardwood floors, and you’ll likely hear four different answers. And in most cases, they’d all be right.

For many reasons, fall is the best season to install new hardwood floors. That’s because autumn is the start of new beginnings. Most homeowners wind down their outdoor summer projects, and start looking for indoor activities. You have weeks until holiday festivities begin, which means a little more downtime. The kids are in school, projects at work seem steady and stable. Autumn is a great time for getting your rooms fixed up and ready for holiday company.

If autumn doesn’t work for you, don’t let timing hold you back. The main thing to watch out for is dry environmental conditions. Colorado tends to be dry throughout the year, which means humidity levels can be low inside your home. No matter when you decide to install new floors, it’s important to introduce the hardwood planks before installation day, and let them acclimate to your indoor environment. That ensures they are properly conditioned before they are placed inside your home.

Choosing new hardwood floors

Now that you’ve settled on the ideal time to install new hardwood floors, it’s time to choose the right materials.

Traditionally, hardwood floors were created from thick solid planks of timber. Today, you’ll have a variety of choices when selecting your final flooring.

Solid hardwood is still widely acceptable – it’s a choice many homeowners can’t imagine living without. Still, solid hardwood isn’t always the best choice for your situation.

Many companies now offer engineered hardwood that is equal to more traditional flooring choices. Engineered hardwood is created from planks with a thinner top layer of hardwood, bonded to other layers that provide strength and durability. It also offers options when hardwood flooring might not be the most logical choice.

Colorado homes almost always have basements. If you’ve ever had a flooring expert talk you out of hardwood planks, it’s for a good reason. Basements, condos, and apartment buildings are often built with concrete flooring. Traditional hardwood planks are typically installed over one or two subfloors, which raises the height of the flooring and can interfere with doors. Engineered flooring can be glued directly to concrete, meaning you won’t have to raise the existing flooring in order to have a subfloor to lay traditional planks down.

Engineered hardwood is also perfect for radiant heating. If you’re looking for a new way to heat your rooms, radiant heating is an efficient way to keep heat near the flooring. It’s also perfect for rooms where you might be hesitant on hardwood because you worry about stepping on it and bare feet in the cold winter months.

If you choose engineered hardwood, be careful with the width of the top layer. Some manufacturers create the top veneer level so thin that it can’t be sanded and refinished in the future. While engineered will never give you the longevity of traditional hardwood planks, higher quality engineered planks can be sanded and refinished several times, giving you a flooring choice you’ll be able to live with for many years.

Prefinished or site finished

Hardwood planks can be purchased in one of two ways: prefinished or site finished.

With prefinished planks, what you see is what you get. You’ll select the type, style, and color based on what you find on the showroom floor. You’ll be able to choose the finish with the stain and topcoat already in place, which means no surprises with a finished look you didn’t plan on.

By going with prefinished, your project will be completed in a shorter time period. Once the prefinished planks are installed into place, you’ll be able to get back to living immediately.

With site finished, unfinished hardwood planks will be installed. Then the stain and finish will be applied once all of the hardwood planks are installed into place. The advantage of site finished is the entire surface area receives stain and finish after installation. Because an installer can mix different colors together, the possibilities are endless for how your finished floors will look. This is the perfect way to do it if you’re trying to match another color.

Site finished also gives you the advantage of installing sealant after all planks are in place. This creates a tighter seal, protecting between the planks as well as the planks themselves. This can be especially important in a busy household where more messes become commonplace. While hardwood will never be waterproof, with the proper sealant, it can offer years of protection, keeping your floors looking good no matter what you or your family members dish out.

It’s here – the perfect season to install new hardwood floors

If you’re ready to install new hardwood floors, make today the day you move forward and do something about it.

While some would argue there’s a perfect season to install new hardwood floors, we’d say that the best time is when you’re ready for a change in your home.

How can we help you select the perfect hardwood floors?

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Is Engineered Flooring Good For The Environment?

Are you remodeling or renovating your home? Hardwood flooring is often a logical choice for the main living spaces. Homeowners all across the Front Range love the classic looks hardwood offers.

Yet classic hardwood doesn’t make sense for every homeowner. That’s why manufacturers have created many different options: engineered hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl planks.

You know solid hardwood doesn’t make sense with your lifestyle. You’re leaning towards engineered hardwood. But something else is weighing on your mind.

Is engineered flooring good for the environment? Is engineered hardwood sustainable?

Many people question the sustainable practices of using hardwood flooring. It can be detrimental to the environment, chopping down trees that took decades to grow. Is engineered hardwood a better solution?

What is engineered hardwood? 

Is Engineered Flooring Good For The Environment?

Engineered wood floor installation with subfloor membrane in condo. Maple hardwood flooring planks closeup showing composite plywood layers. Remodeling home improvement concept.

While solid hardwood flooring is constructed from a solid piece of wood, engineered hardwood is constructed in layers. It uses a relatively thin layer of wood veneer bonded over a premium quality plywood layer. It gives it classic good looks as well as durability.

The best engineered hardwood floors are created from up to nine layers of plywood core for flexibility and stability. While it may not last as long as traditional hardwood planks, a good quality product will give you up to 30 years of life, and be able to be refinished several times before it needs replacing.

Because it’s easier to handle, it’s also more do-it-yourself-friendly – if you’re looking for a DIY project, engineered hardwood may be the better choice. With a lower cost than traditional hardwood, it’s often the better choice.

What makes engineered hardwood more natural than solid hardwood?

Engineered hardwood planks are still made from wood. Instead of a solid core, it’s created in multiple layers.

While solid hardwood is created from freshly harvested trees, engineered hardwood planks are created in more ingenious ways. They are still natural wood flooring, created from the environment with all-natural products. The veneer consists of real hardwood. The core is produced from plywood or fiberboard, all of which are natural wood products.

Yet because they aren’t solid hardwood, they can be created in many ways. Often, plywood and fiberboard are created from recycled or leftover wood byproducts, eliminating waste in the manufacturing process and creating a more sustainable product.

Does engineered hardwood use fewer trees? Yes! Solid hardwood planks must be cut from the heart of the tree, which can create leftover materials. Engineered wood only has a thin veneer that sits on top of plywood or fiberboard. This means less traditional wood is used in each plank production, and ultimately requires fewer trees to be cut down for the same level of production.

What does sustainable harvesting mean?

Without healthy forests, our entire way of living may be at risk. More evidence is pointing to needing forests for proper global diversity.

Many manufacturers realize this, and have set up sustainable businesses to put these ideas into practice.

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an organization dedicated to achieving better practices with the use of our forests. This ensures they are properly managed for ecosystems and habitats, as well as giving the world the products and resources it needs and desires.

By checking for the FSC label, you’ll ensure the engineered hardwood you purchase is FSC-certified. That means it’s sourced from forests that are managed responsibly, while helping to protect wildlife habitats and ensuring zero deforestation.

When a manufacturer uses this label, it means they are part of the bigger picture of creating sustainable, eco-friendly measures. Because engineered hardwood doesn’t require the same core hardwood product as traditional hardwood planks, it ensures companies can use more of the materials they harvest, which means less wood to cut down. This can preserve older growth forests, and encourage healthy forest regeneration.

What about indoor air quality?

With all we’ve been through the past few years, many homeowners are paying attention to the products and materials they bring indoors, ensuring they won’t create an unhealthy environment.

Wood is a carbon-neutral product, which means it has low environmental impact throughout the life of the product. Of course, you have to consider all of your options carefully. Look closely at the manufacturer – do they work hard at sustainable business practices? It also requires you to look closely at the dealer you do business with – do they use sustainable methods when installing and replacing the flooring?

Wood floors are one of the most popular options because they are also one of the most hypoallergenic. They are created from sustainable, low-VOC materials. And because they are easy to clean and maintain, they won’t attract dust and debris like other materials. A simple swipe of the broom each day will keep the dust bunnies away.

Pay attention to the entire production process. If engineered hardwood flooring products state they are low or no VOCs, it means they won’t release harmful toxins into the air before, during, or after production. Ask about installation, and choose a chemical-free installation method that won’t introduce other toxic chemicals into your air supply. Every little bit helps in creating a clean indoor environment.

Will they last?

One of the biggest benefits of solid hardwood is its longevity. Because you can sand them down and refinish them multiple times, it’s less waste overall. They can realistically last 50 to 100 years, depending on the quality of the product and the care it’s given over its lifetime.

While engineered may not offer that level of longevity, they can still be a welcome addition to your home for several decades with the proper care. That means if you invest in a higher quality product in the beginning, you can expect to keep them in your home for years, even if you choose to remodel or renovate other furnishings in the future.

Fewer replacements, less waste, lower costs – all of that may be just what you’re looking for. Add in environmentally friendly products too, and you may decide engineered hardwood flooring is the perfect choice for you.

Is engineered hardwood flooring right for you? We can help. Stop by today and see our complete selection of engineered hardwood flooring products. We’ll help you find the perfect look for your home.

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Wondering How To Install Your Hardwood Floors? The Top Patterns Homeowners Love

Hardwood floors often top a homeowner’s dream list. They may envision them for years before finally remodeling and installing them throughout their homes.

Yet finalizing the decision is often the easy part. Then comes the decision process of what species of hardwood, what color of stain, and what flooring patterns to install.

Every plank of hardwood is unique. It comes with its own patterns, textures, colors, and designs. How you install it will ultimately determine its final look. It will create an aesthetic you’ll be proud to call home.

Not sure of what hardwood floor pattern to create? Have you always assumed hardwood planks are a “one size fits all” kind of choice? Think again. TYou can create many different patterns from hardwood, which will change the look of your room as it runs across the floor.

Straight

Straight hardwood floor patterns are considered the norm in the industry. It’s the most common pattern you’ll see when you walk into a home. That’s primarily because it’s the simplest and least expensive method for installation.

The hardwood planks are laid together side by side, parallel to each other along the length or width of your room.

This pattern creates a clean, contemporary design that enhances the look of the hardwood flooring material. It uses the hardwood most efficiently, sticking with the hardwood planks as they were initially cut and designed.

Diagonal

Wondering How To Install Your Hardwood Floors? The Top Patterns Homeowners LoveWhen you walk into a room, and the planks run parallel to the length or width of the room, your mind moves up to the overall aesthetics of the room. But when you install hardwood planks diagonal, you instantly notice a more unique, luxurious look and feel inside the space.

The planks are installed parallel to each other, but instead of being installed along the length or width of the space, they are laid at a 45-degree angle to the wall. This creates a striking visual effect that isn’t expected. It gives anyone who enters a moment to notice the floors time to pause and take in the beauty of the flooring.

This is perfect for any homeowner who wants something a little different, yet still wants to stick with the functionality of traditional hardwood, while efficiently utilizing the product.

Random

For an orderly, traditionalist homeowner, they might not be able to imagine flooring in any other way but straight. But for homeowners who desire to change things up a bit, random placement may be more your style.

You’ll still install your hardwood floor based on the length or width of your room. But instead of using the same planks in a repeating pattern, you’ll mix things up a bit.

Select planks in different lengths and widths. Mix the color of two different hardwood colors – light and lighter. Then install them in a varying pattern. This mixture of boards will give your room a more rustic feel. It’s customizable, allowing you to play with final looks and patterns, and create something uniquely your own.

Parquet

It should come as no surprise to discover that parquet flooring dates back to 16th century France. Parquet is derived from the French word “parquetry”, meaning “small compartment.” These wood floors used country estate marble and stone, which was difficult and expensive to replace. The most famous comes from a single room in Versailles, created by Louis XIV. The parquetry is distinguishable by large squares laid on a bias, with diagonal squares within.

Today, parquet flooring is distinguishable by a repeated geometric pattern, giving it a checkerboard pattern. You’ll sometimes find even more sophistication to the complex patterns within each square.

Cheap imitations have been created in recent times to make this expensive and incredibly detailed flooring choice easier to install. But it can never replace the sophistication of a truly original parquet flooring.

Chevron

This pattern is often referred to as diagonal because wood planks are laid diagonally, alternating direction across the space.

The chevron pattern is effective when each of the planks is identical in size and shape, and appears in columns going one direction. Then the next column is laid facing the opposite direction. The edges are always flush against one another, giving it a seamless look.

Herringbone

Close to the chevron design, a herringbone pattern uses the column sections laid on the diagonal, but mixes it up by placing them in a zigzag pattern. This makes the blocks appear to be stacked like a staircase rather than running flush from side to side.

This is a sophisticated installation challenge, not one meant for DIY projects. The more complicated a pattern, the more you should search out a reputable installer who has laid various hardwood patterns in homes before.

Basketweave

One of the most complex patterns for hardwood floors is the basketweave, consisting of both rectangular and square shapes. To install, it starts with two rectangular pieces laid down as a T-shape. Additional T-shapes are fed in on either side. The gaps will be filled with the square shapes.

This pattern is continued across the floor, resembling a basketweave then it’s completed. The basketweave design works well in mid-size rooms when you want to give an illusion of grader and space. This flooring works on optical illusion, pushing out walls and making the room seem bigger than it is. It can lend sophistication to long, narrow rooms such as a hallway.

Finishing work

While you might have a specific pattern in mind, custom hardwood flooring work can create something uniquely your own. Complete the project with hand-crafted molding. Or build a pattern around a medallion or centerpiece. Stick with hardwood, or build it around stone, metal, or glass for a one-of-a-kind look.

Note that any additional patterns or finishing work required for installation will only add more time to the job. If you need your final flooring in place by a certain time, it’s better to check in with a flooring servicer first. They can help you create a pattern perfect for your home, building a spectacular display that will add style and uniqueness that’s all your own.

How can we help you find the perfect hardwood flooring pattern to suit your needs?

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Selecting The Right Hardwood Finish For Your Home

Hardwood floors are perfect for the modern home. They’re beautiful. They can last for decades. They compliment any decor.

Yet once you decide hardwood flooring is right for your home, then comes the difficult choice of selecting a hardwood finish. There’s more to it than picking out your favorite color.

On-site or prefinished? 

Different installation methods will impact the hardwood finish installed on your flooring.

Prefinished hardwood flooring is sold with stain and sealant already applied. This makes the entire process easier, from picking it out in the store, to laying it into place in your home. What you see is what you get. You’ll never be surprised by the color or the finish, as it’s in place from the moment you pick it out. The advantages are many:

  • You’ll have less mess. Once the planks are installed, your flooring will be ready to use immediately. No waiting for staining or finishing, or dealing with the fumes and other by-products of the install.
  • You’ll have less cost. Prefinished will incur labor costs for the installation of the planks. You won’t need additional time for finishing work.
  • You’ll need less time. This can be a huge saver if you are redecorating your home on a timeline.

Selecting The Right Hardwood Finish For Your HomeOn-site finished hardwood planks are installed with raw wood planks. Once installed, stain and finish will be applied to the entire canvas of the floor. The advantages include:

  • You’ll have more flexibility. Many homeowners add hardwood to their homes one room at a time. By laying it unfinished, a professional will have an easier time getting an exact match.
  • You’ll have a more uniform color. Do you have a large, open space? Are you adding hardwood to many rooms throughout your home? The larger the space, the more likely you’ll have color variance with prefinished flooring. Unfinished, on-site finished hardwood allows you to select the color and have it run throughout your home.
  • You’ll have more opportunities. If you can dream it, it’s possible with on-site finished hardwood. In historic homes, you may wish for a certain width of plank that might not be found in the prefinished market. A flooring professional can cut to size, and match any color you desire. It’s the perfect way to stay on track with your renovation plans.

Hardwood finish – which is right for you?

Hardwood finish refers to the top coat. It’s the surface layer that provides protection and durability. Whether you’re looking for a shiny, high-gloss surface, or prefer something a little more subtle, there are plenty of options. We’ve chosen several hardwood finishes to give you more of an idea of what will work best in your home.

Water-based polyurethane

This is one of the most popular hardwood finishes for hardwood flooring. A water-based polyurethane provides a clear finish with a traditional hardwood look and feel.

If you look at engineered hardwood, it almost always has a water-based polyurethane finish. Its classic “wet” look provides a lustrous finish that makes your hardwood flooring stand out. It’s achieved by applying several layers of water-based polyurethane applications.

Most high-gloss finishes are created in the factory and provided to the homeowner in prefinished planks. This ensures even application for a fully uniform look. This high sheen also makes clean-up easy, although it also makes items like pet hair and scratches a little more noticeable.

High-gloss may be the most popular, but you’ll find satin and semi-gloss finishes too.

Oil-based polyurethane

Oil-based polyurethane consists of several different products, including linseed oil, synthetic resins, and plasticizers. This provides even more strength and durability, making this hardwood finish popular in the commercial marketplace. Homeowners also love it in high-traffic areas. This increases durability, and provides more strength against scratching and denting.

Oil-based polyurethane does have a slight amber or yellow tint to it. It can also continue yellowing more over time. Many homeowners love this rich, warm quality, and select a color that is enhanced by this feature. Oil-based polyurethane also comes in high-gloss, semi-gloss, and satin finishes.

This finish comes with a strong odor and releases VOCs during the installation process. It takes drying time between each coat, so this isn’t a project you’ll finish quickly. Most professionals recommend two or three coats, so plan accordingly.

Wax

Before homes moved to polyurethane finishes, wax was considered the finish of choice. In older, historic houses, it’s still a popular application. It’s perfect for do-it-yourself projects, and homeowners who like its low-sheen, natural appearance.

Wax comes in liquid and paste, both of which require several coats that are buffed by hand. You can mix wood stains into the wax to add color if you wish.

Because wax is a more natural finish, it doesn’t hold up as well to water exposure. You’ll notice white marks wherever it comes into contact with water, so it’s not a great choice for kitchens or bathrooms. It’s also a soft finish, meaning it’s easy to scuff and scratch.

Wax sometimes yellows or darkens over time. If you decide to move to a polyurethane finish, the wax finish will need to be stripped away before application.

Acid-cured

One of the most durable hardwood finishes available is acid-cured finish, also called Swedish finish or conversion finish. It’s an alcohol-based product that uses acid for the curing process. It creates a shiny finish that is highly durable and resistant to scuffs, scratches, and dents. It highlights the grain well, and allows the natural beauty to shine through.

This is a professional product and will need to be applied by a professional hardwood installer because of its high VOCs and flammable application. You will need to keep pets and kids away during application and drying, as well as excellent ventilation throughout. It’s not as easy to retouch or fix damage once the finish is in place.

What’s the right hardwood finish for your flooring?

These are just a few of the hardwood finishes available on today’s most popular hardwood flooring options.

If you have questions about finding the perfect flooring finish to suit your family’s lifestyle, we’re here to help. Stop by today and see our complete line of hardwood floors. We’ll help you find the perfect one for your home. 

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Why Subfloors Matter To Solid Hardwood Floors

One of the most important parts of solid hardwood floors isn’t the planks … it’s subfloors.

Think of a subfloor as the base of your flooring. A subfloor is what lies beneath the hardwood planks you’ll walk on and enjoy for years to come. It’s the foundation that gives your flooring a place to rest, a place for strength and durability as you go about your busy days. Without a strong subfloor, your hardwood floors would be compromised, and would not provide the results you’re looking for.

Maybe you’ve been shopping for hardwood flooring for a while now. Maybe you’ve pinned different samples trying to make up your mind on species, color, and width.

Before you settle on what planks to install, it’s worth a few minutes to learn all you can about subfloors, and to make the very best decision there too.

What is subflooring?

Why Subfloors Matter To Solid Hardwood FloorsWhen you do a search for subflooring online, you might find a mix of articles talking about subflooring and underlayment. What’s the difference?

When your house was first built, flooring was created with three parts:

Joists – this is the structural component of your floors. These heavy-duty beams run across every room in your house, giving it structure and stability over time. You can see the joists by looking up if you have an old, unfinished basement.

Subfloors – this is the material that covers the joists. In most cases, it’s nailed into place. The subflooring helps distribute the weight evenly across the joists as you move throughout your day.

Flooring – this is the finished material you can see. This is what gives your home personality and good looks.

Every house will have subflooring in place. This is what creates the structure and stability for flooring installation.

Yet some flooring materials need more than what a subfloor has to offer. That’s where underlayment comes in. Underlayment is a special surface between the subfloor and finished flooring to provide reinforcement. It may be needed for extra strength if you choose a particularly heavy flooring material. It can act as a sound barrier if you’re trying to create a quiet atmosphere. It might provide a waterproof barrier, especially important if the room is prone to moisture.

What are subfloors made of?

Subfloors can be made from a variety of materials. The purpose of the subfloor is strength and durability, and that can come in the form of many different types of materials. A level, smooth, and dry floor is necessary before you install your finished flooring. You can achieve that with one of these materials:

https://pro-flooring.com/do-you-know-how-many-layers-your-floor-has/

Plywood – the most common type of subfloor. Plywood is created from sheets of wood veneer held together with glue. It’s affordable, easy to work with, and provides durability for most flooring installations.

Concrete – you’ll often find basements with a concrete subfloor, and sometimes on the ground-level floor if there isn’t a crawlspace or basement. If you’re working with concrete as a subfloor, it’s important to test for moisture before you install your finished flooring material. A proper vapor barrier will protect your final flooring from moisture, if necessary.

Oriented strand board (OSB) – this material is created from chunks of wood held together with adhesive. It functions like plywood.

What’s the best subfloor for hardwood floors?

When you’re buying hardwood floors, you’ll choose from solid hardwood or engineered. They each have their own set of rules and requirements.

Solid hardwood floors require a sturdy, durable subfloor, especially if the planks will be nailed or glued into place. In both cases, installers will use either plywood or OSB, with the final subfloor being at least ¾ of an inch thick.

Of course, installers may also add underlayment material, depending on the situation.

Installers often lay an underlayment of felt building paper down between the wood subfloor and your hardwood planks. This provides a necessary bond that will lessen the chance of squeaky floors and help control moisture.

For engineered hardwood, they often are installed with click-together floating floors. This means they aren’t attached to the subfloors, with underlayment requirements rarely in place. Just follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and your flooring will be good to go.

Should you replace subfloors before installing new hardwood? 

Whether you currently have carpet, tile, or hardwood planks in place, adding new subfloor material may be part of the process of installing new flooring. If you install new hardwood over a compromised subfloor, no matter how well you maintain it, the hardwood will wear out quickly because it won’t have the necessary support from underneath.

The subfloor sets the foundation for a quality floor. Without a quality subfloor, your flooring material will never give you a full lifespan. That’s why a reputable flooring dealer will always tell you to take a step down in quality of your final flooring selection in order to increase the quality of your subfloor material.

It makes a difference.

When homeowners don’t invest in a proper subfloor, they very quickly start experiencing compromises in quality. They usually complain of:

With any of these problems, fast action is required to prevent the problem from further compromising your flooring.

Do subfloors matter? They are the integrity of your hardwood floors

If you’re reading this, we know you’re on a quest for finding and installing the perfect new floors. Solid hardwood floors are beautiful, and can last for years – decades even. Yet that won’t happen if you don’t install it using the best materials and installation processes possible. Without a proper subfloor in place, you’ll compromise the lifespan of the materials, making you replace your floors long before their time.

Have we answered your questions on subfloors and installing hardwood floors in your home? If you have any additional questions, we welcome them here. Or feel free to contact us, or stop by our retail location.

We’re here to ensure you fall in love with your new hardwood floors from the moment they’re installed. And to keep loving them for years to come. 

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Confused About Hardwood Stain Colors? Here’s How To Choose

Want to know the most popular question we get about hardwood flooring? It isn’t about durability or maintenance. Instead, it’s about hardwood stain colors.

Homeowners want to feel assured they are selecting a hardwood stain color they’ll love for years to come. They want a color they won’t grow weary of in a few short years. One that will be too trendy, and looks dated before they’re ready to replace it.

They also want a hardwood stain color that adds to the resale value in case they decide to sell. Why add something to your home if it will detract from the looks, especially for potential buyers as they enter your space?

That’s a lot to ask from one question. Yet we’ve been doing this long enough we have a great answer whenever homeowners come in with this question.

The answer isn’t as hard as you might think. By starting with a few questions of your own, you’ll easily be able to select a stain color that best suits your lifestyle. And it’ll bring just the right personality to your home that anyone who enters will fall in love with the aesthetics you’ve created.

The basics of staining

Before we jump into color decisions, it’s important to fully understand what staining is. Staining is a separate process performed between sanding the hardwood planks and applying the clearcoat top cover. Don’t confuse stain with finishing.

Confused About Hardwood Stain Colors? Here’s How To ChooseFinishing is the topcoat process. It contains multiple coats of clearcoat applied on top of the stain.

A floor doesn’t have to be stained. It’s perfectly okay to apply finish to the original hardwood planks. If you prefer the color of natural wood, a clear coat protects the hardwood itself, and seals in the natural beauty of the wood.

If you want to change the color, stain is applied to hardwood planks after it’s smoothed and ready for a surface finish to be applied. This is when you have the option to use a colored hardwax oil, a stain under the oil, or a pre-tinted finish. Each will have different looks; it’s up to you to decide which is the best look for your home.

Hardwood also makes a difference. You can select from many different species of wood. Mahogany, cherry, walnut, pine, and oak all have different characteristics and hues. You may fall in love with the natural qualities of a species. Or you might prefer using it as a basis, then lightening or darkening it with a stain. This is how you build character. Some have more grains and imperfections than others, giving you the chance to create something truly unique.

Of course, you can also go with pre-stained planks, which allow you to select the color before it’s installed into your space. You can see the color applied, and know what it will look like before you install the first board.

How do you choose wood stain color?

If you’ve ever shopped at your local big box store, wandering the paint aisles can have you running for the doors. You’ll find several manufacturers of stains. Each manufacturer offers a selection of different colors, different treatments, and different options.

And if you’re not confused enough, pick up another manufacturer’s information and start comparing. The colors are similar, yet different. Is that too much yellow? Or maybe too much red?

Maybe you start with the fact you want a dark color. But the light color choices throw you into a tailspin – is it the best choice?

Before you finish your planning, step back and think about what you desire. There’s a reason you’re installing hardwood flooring in your home. What were your original desires? How did you see your “dream home” after renovation? That gives you a starting point in the direction you should take it.

Take a look at the latest design magazines. You’ll quickly find an array of color choices. You’ll see some hardwood in the darkest colors, while others stay more neutral, or traditional.

That says it all.

The best choice is always based on what you desire.

Let’s talk about hardwood color choices

Dark hardwood colors are considered stylish and dramatic. But there are a few things to keep in mind.

The darker the color, the less you see the grains of the wood. You can find an array of dark colors – ebony, expresso, true black – but the darker you stain the wood, the less color variation will come through in the wood planks. This can create a clean, minimalistic look that may make it easier to decorate. However, with a more solid line on your flooring, it is more difficult to clean and maintain the look.

Lighter colors remain open, airy, and neutral. They blend well with any decor, letting the aesthetics of your decor shine through rather than the color of your floor. In many cases, decorators will select a species of hardwood based on the color the homeowner desires. The closer you can keep your color choice to the original color, the easier it will be to maintain.

Lighter does tend to wear better, show less dirt, and stand the test of time.

Of course, mid tones might be more of your preference.

Mid tones are more traditional. You’ll see this in older homes, and it hides imperfections well. This tends to have more brown tones than red, but can change based on where it’s applied. How much direct sunlight streams in? What does your decor look like? Keep in mind that every species will impact how the color appears when they are finished and ready for daily wear.

Don’t forget about gray hardwood and whitewash. It’s one of the newest, hottest color choices, and has been popular for the past several years. Gray can be a bit challenging, and often requires mixing several colors to get the right hew.

Going back to resale – what’s the best hardwood stain color? 

Homeowners often move back and forth during the decision process, trying to settle on a color.

Should you go with a color you love?

Or should you choose one based on longevity, resale, and ensuring it holds up well over time?

That’s a personal decision. What’s best for you?

Is this your “forever” home? Then, by all means, go with your instincts, and choose your favorite color.

If you have any doubts, and aren’t sure about direction, it might benefit you to stay more neutral. Grays are very trendy. Reds can feel dated. Whitewash is an acquired taste.

Yet neutral will never go out of style.

What hardwood stain colors are your favorites?

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Vertical or Horizontal: Which Direction Should You Install Hardwood?

I was sitting in a reception area the other day, waiting for my appointment, when I looked down and noticed how the hardwood was installed. From the entryway, the hardwood appeared to move vertically into the office space. Yet the hallway back to the individual meeting rooms sat at an angle. The pattern moved into a diagonal flow to keep the flow from the entryway.

I loved it!

But I started thinking about which direction was best when installing hardwood. Are there rules? Do flooring experts provide specific guidance to help homeowners and commercial property managers finalize their decisions before installing hardwood into their spaces?

Where to begin when installing hardwood 

Every space is unique. You can’t start at the front and work to the back – that philosophy can get you into trouble in oddly-shaped rooms.

Vertical or Horizontal: Which Direction Should You Install Hardwood?There are several factors to consider when deciding which way to install hardwood into any room.

Focal point – what’s the first thing you see when you walk into the room? Where is the focal point of the room? If you lay the planks in that direction, it gives your eye a reason to flow towards that focal point. It might be a large fireplace. Or stunning architectural detail that makes the room. Your hardwood plank direction will lead every visitor to the most important aspect of the room.

Overall design – if you have one square space to add hardwood to, laying the planks into place is easy. Yet most people install hardwood into multiple rooms simultaneously, and rarely are they perfectly square. Instead, you’ll have odd shapes and a layout that rarely makes sense when you start to lay the planks into place. To avoid sudden cutoffs and strange designs, it might be time to install them in a diagonal pattern. If you have multiple rooms with distinct cutoffs, you can install a thin wood strip at the threshold to make the transition.

Light source – here in Colorado, we get a lot of natural light flowing in. If you have large windows to take advantage of the view, how does light fall into your home throughout the day? Use that pattern to dictate the direction you install your hardwood planks.

Floor structure – the subfloor and floor joists are installed to add strength and durability to each room. If you lay hardwood planks in the same direction as the joists, you can weaken the overall structure of the flooring. Instead, install them perpendicular to add strength and prevent the planks from sagging or buckling.

Sightlines – in many cases, flooring direction jumps out at you from the moment you walk through the door. Sightlines guide you from the front to the back. It gives you a natural flow. Don’t fight that flow. Work with it instead as you’re looking for which direction to install your hardwood planks.

Directions to run your hardwood flooring planks

We these general installation rules in mind, there are several main design options when it’s time to install your hardwood floors:

Vertical – the most common way to install hardwood is vertically from one end of the room to the other. It flows naturally as you enter the room, providing elegance and a contemporary feel as you move into a room. It’s a go-to pattern because it’s one of the easiest to install. It makes good use of the hardwood planks without having to trim boards to get them to fit.

Horizontal – another popular installation pattern is horizontal, where the boards flow freely from side to side. This is a good choice if your design space is narrow as you walk into the room. Short, vertical planks might make it feel choppy, more closed in. By running them horizontally, it draws the eye side to side, adding more openness to the space.

Diagonal – give any room a classy finish by installing the planks diagonally. Instead of vertical or horizontal placement, kick the planks to a 45-degree angle to the wall as they run across the floor. The look can be stunning and just different enough to add your own personality to your room.

Herringbone – this is another classic design that has been used for decades. It’s a step up from diagonal, creating a zigzag pattern instead. Install each board in a different direction, giving any room a more modern feel.

Parquet – parquet hardwood has been used in homes for centuries. It involves laying planks in repeated geometrical patterns that give the floor visual appeal. Think of it as a checkerboard of intricate patterns, with wood squares dominating the design. They can be quite beautiful, adding richness to any room in your home.

Random – today’s homeowners often look for something unique to bring into their homes. If you’ve had your eye on multiple sizes, colors, and patterns, why not incorporate them all into the final look? A random pattern mixes lengths, widths, and colors to create flooring as unique as you.

Which direction is right for you?

Want new hardwood floors? That’s only the beginning of the choices you’ll make.

Today’s hardwood planks come in many different styles, colors, patterns, widths, and lengths. With so many choices, it’s often difficult to know where to begin narrowing down to your final selection.

We often recommend people spend some time on design sites, or setting up a pinboard on Pinterest. Find different layouts you like, really focusing on why you like them. Do you like the color? The pattern? The flow?

As you find more examples of things you like, you’ll start to see a pattern in your tastes and desires. This is when you know you’ve found a choice that’s right for you.

Bring your ideas in and let’s talk. We can show you a variety of flooring choices that meet your demands. We can help you narrow it down to a final selection, one you’ll love for the life of your floor.

Installing hardwood in different directions can give you classic designs or a modern finish. There isn’t a right or wrong way to lay it into place.

What you settle on will look great on your finished floors.

You’ll love how it accents your home’s decor. 

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