Simple Hardwood Floor Buying Guide from an Expert
05/15/2019
Hardwood flooring has always been a highly preferred interior design choice because it raises the value of a home over a period of time. However, before deciding to install a hardwood floor, it is important to take several factors into account. We have compiled all such factors to create a hardwood floor buying guide that will maximise the long-term value of your investment.
In today’s market, there are plenty of hardwood choices with their own benefits and shortcomings. It is extremely likely that you may have already thought of a color of your choice. However, this is just the beginning. Mentioned below are some of the most important factors to consider. Solid wood flooring is available in many different options in terms of wood type, grade, thickness, and finish.
Flooring Type:
¾ inch thick solid wood flooring: This is the most traditional and durable form of hardwood flooring. However, this may not always be the most practical choice. The biggest advantage of thick solid hardwood is that it can last for over a century. In the long run, these floors can be re-sanded and refinished multiple times as per your requirement. However, this type of wood is vulnerable to moisture and tends to warp when used in moist climate or without adequate insulation. Also, it is not at all recommended for humid, subtropical areas.
5/16, 3/8 or 1/2 inch thick solid wood flooring: wood flooring with thinner profile is a little more versatile compared to thicker boards, but less solid and durable. Their vulnerability towards moisture is relatively less, and can be installed in high humidity areas. However, they are not recommended for installation below grade or directly over concrete.
Engineered wood: This type of wood has higher stability compared to solid wood. Engineered wood can handle moisture more effectively, and can be installed directly over concrete, below grade, and high-humidity regions.
Wood Grades:
Before choosing your hardwood floor, it makes sense to gather basic idea about the different grades of wood.
Prefinished Grades
- Clear grades: Indicates uniform color without knots or flaws, and relatively longer length.
- Select & Better: The second best grade after clear grades with almost similar attributes.
- Country or Exclusive Grades: Natural wood characters such as color variations and small flaws are prominent.
- Antique, Traditional, and Character Grades: Lots of natural wood characters are visible, preferred for a floor with natural and rustic look.
Unfinished Grades
- Clear grades: uniform color without knots or flaws, and relatively longer length.
- Select & Better: The second best grade after clear grades with almost similar attributes.
- Common: Natural wood characters such as color variations and small flaws and knots are prominent.
- Shorts: Display lots of natural wood character, available in board length of 16” or less
Finish:
Pre-finish and site finish are your two options here. Prefinished wood flooring refers to multiple layers applied uniformly. This results in a harder and more durable finish. On the other hand, site finish eliminates the imperfections and makes the floor resistant to moisture. These floors look markedly different than the prefinished ones, and are more expensive.
Location of the Room:
Your hardwood floor selection has a lot to do with the room location. If you are looking to floor your basement or bathroom, engineered wood is probably a better choice. Also, please consider the color change factors while installing hardwood floor in a room that receives loads of sunlight. This is important because some types of woods change their color significantly on exposure to direct sunlight.
Durability:
Hardness factor of wood determines its durability or how much traffic it can handle. However, please note that higher hardness is not always desirable. Extremely hard woods tend to be harder on the feet and produce more sound. Hardwoods with medium hardness are easier on the feet and produce less sound, but get dented easily.
Sound:
Sound transmission can be a serious issue for hardwood floors. In general, this sound increases proportionally with the hardness of the wood. However, this problem can be addressed by adding an underlayment.
Radiant Heat:
Though some woods respond well to radiant heating, some others do not. In general, it is better avoid installing hardwood floors over a radiant heating system that has a maximum temperature more than 85° F.
Wood Type:
There are many different variations amongst different types of woods. Here are some of the most common types for you to consider.
Alder: A softer hardwood light brown in color, with a pink or yellow tinge.
White Ash: Average hardness, very light in color with a distinctive grain pattern
Beech: Medium hardness, color variation from creamy white to reddish brown, distinctive streaks and whorls.
Birch: Softer wood with below average hardness, color varies between reddish and light blown.
Bubinga: One of the hardest and most durable woods, exotic wood with rich reddish color and darker grain patterns. ‘
American Cherry: Soft hardwood with good dimensional stability, reddish brown color with wavy grain and lustrous finish.
Brazilian Cherry: One of the hardest woods, medium reddish color with darker streaks.
Australian Cypress: Light cream to honey gold in color, dark brown streaks, suited for a rustic look.
Asian Mahogany: One of the hardest woods, pinkish brown to dark brown in color without significant contrast
Santos Mahogany: Exceptionally hard, dark reddish brown in color.
Hard Maple: Average hardness, distinctive grain pattern, creamy white to light reddish brown in color.
Red Oak: Medium hardness, reddish tone, light in color.
White Oak: Medium hardness, pale brown in color.
This hardwood floor buying guide shares just a few tips to help you choose the most appropriate hardwood floor. Please remember there are many other factors that can determine the success of your hardwood floor installation. Please contact our experts today for end-to-end support for all your hardwood floor related needs.