With so many options for flooring today, it’s no surprise that settling in on one choice can be difficult at best. Maybe you’ve already decided to purchase new hardwood floors. Maybe you have your dream flooring in mind.
But all that can be thrown out the window when you walk into our showroom and see all of your options. Even if you have a style or pattern in mind, just seeing the many different options can leave your head spinning. Why is this such a difficult decision?
It is until you remember one thing: walking across a great hardwood floor will give you pleasure for years to come.
And really, that’s all there is to it.
Don’t be wow’d by the options. There are dozens – hundreds of options because every homeowner is a bit different. But it’s fairly easy to settle in on your choices when you keep a few things in mind.
Let’s start with the hardwood – what does that mean?
If you’ve looked at flooring at all, you know there are a lot of different products available.
If you’re sold on hardwood, your first choice is between solid hardwood and engineered wood flooring.
Solid wood is as the name implies. It’s created from one solid piece of hardwood. Because of this, it pays to know the manufacturer you’re trusting when you purchase. Some companies pay attention to the overall structure of the timber, while others attempt to use every piece of wood that comes through their manufacturing plant. If you have envisioned keeping your flooring for decades, this can be a major factor in how well it holds up over time.
Engineered wood is created from multiple component layers, giving you an exact thickness and wear level. Engineered wood is often perceived as more stable, because every single layer is created based on manufacturers guidelines. Every piece is created equally to ensure stability of construction. Yet what is stable in one environment might not work well in others. Because it isn’t solid, it can also run the risk of wearing faster than a high quality solid hardwood plank.
When it comes to deciding the right flooring for your unique situation, lay all the facts on the line. One of our consultants would be happy to help you determine the right choice for your needs.
What do you want your flooring to look like?
For some homeowners, they see a solid surface area where the wood blends harmoniously together. For others, they see their flooring as a work of art; they’re looking for ways to stand out from the norm.
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That’s what we love to share with people who come in ready to purchase new hardwood floors.
In today’s world, you don’t have to settle for a neutral color with single planks all running in a row. Instead, the sky is the limit on potential.
Why not go with an exotic wood? You can create a color palette anywhere from the lightest to darkest woods.
Or how about changing it up with a larger plank size? Two to three inch oak boards might have been the norm once upon a time, but no more. Instead, you’ll find six, eight, even ten inch width planks or wider. That can really make your great room pop, or your bedroom to be just a little bit more luxurious. All because you changed it up a bit and made it unique to you. Those boards create drama in all the right ways.
Light or dark, it’s up to you
Light or dark wood? It seems like an easy enough choice. After all, you probably have your preferences on the tip of your tongue.
We’ve all walked into a kitchen before and felt the “love it or hate it” from the moment we walk in. Do you like light, white, and airy? Or do you prefer the drama of dark wood and sophisticated lines?
The same thought process goes into selecting the right hardwood floors.
Often, you can just see yourself living with one or the other. Your ideal picture clearly comes with light or dark wood.
Dark wood floors have been popular for some time now. You can select many different shades of dark, or with unfinished hardwood installation, custom stain it as dark as you wish.
Dark wood works great with modern furniture and lots of color. It makes the color pop.
Dark wood also is a great choice if you desire to move towards a more rustic and casual feel. In some cases, you can find dark wood floors that bring out an aged look. That can blend in quite nicely with your farmhouse, country charm look.
Dark brings out the coziness wherever it’s laid into place. Picture a dramatic ski lodge in the heart of winter. Don’t you just want to light a fire and snuggle down for the evening?
Of course, dark wood does have a few drawbacks. You’ll see everything on the floor much easier with the darkness as a backdrop. And dark wood floors are more sensitive to the appearance of wear. While that can be perfect if you’re going for an aged look, it might not work so well with clean, modern lines. That’s where it pays to take your family and your lifestyle into consideration before making a selection.
Light wood, on the other hand, creates a light palette you can build from to show off a variety of looks. It makes the space look larger, brighter.
What we love about light wood is it goes with almost any decor. If you go with the more traditional oak or maple, it blends in well with whatever designs you create. Or you can go as light as possible – how about ash – and make your light hardwood center stage.
Just remember lighter hardwood often requires a little more maintenance, including the right sealer to prevent spills from turning into stains. And because light wood hides dirt a bit easier, that can work to your disadvantage if you really need a clean location.
What’s the best hardwood floor?
With dozens of choices, the purchase of new hardwood floors can seem intimidating at first, until you realize that deep inside you already know what you want.
Trust your instinct. Whether you want light or dark, wide planks or more traditional, there’s a right hardwood flooring waiting for you.