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Items to Consider When Choosing a Hardwood Floor

ITEMS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A HARDWOOD FLOOR

Your floor is the ultimate canvas when you want to create a certain style in your home. A hardwood floor is beautiful and will last for generations if properly cared for. The color, texture, required maintenance and overall appearance you prefer should be the focus when considering your choice of flooring.

YOUR FLOORING CHOICE AND YOUR SPACE…

The floor, walls and ceiling form the elements that will define your room’s feel. The synergy of these elements is essential in choosing the right furniture and other decor. The floor should be fashionable and functional.

YOUR FLOOR IS YOUR DESIGN CANVAS!

Your choice of floor in combination with the walls and ceiling provide the fundamental feel of your space. The appearance of your floor i.e. the color, texture, plank or pattern can vary significantly between species and in the grading. Remember, your floor sets the vibe.

WHAT WOOD FLOOR COLOR IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Natural, light, medium or dark tones? Whichever you choose, it will make a strong statement about how each room is perceived. Lighter floors tend to make a space feel bigger and more open. Darker floors tend to absorb more of the rooms volume and create a sense of warmth and coziness.

LACQUERED/URETHANE OR OIL FINISH?

Like everything in life, there are pros and cons with both types of finishes. A lacquer/urethane finish is less maintenance overall and has a high abrasion resistance. An oil finish will require extra maintenance over time, but offers spot repairability which doesn’t require a flooring expert. Oil floors develop a patina and ensure the “naturalness” of the wood comes out. Oil penetrates into the pores of the wood, while a lacquer/urethane finish sits entirely on top of the wood. Supermatte lacquer finishes offer the low gloss look of oil with less maintenance. Spills of any kind should be wiped up asap with either finish. What’s the right floor finish for you?

WHAT SIZE PLANK IS RIGHT FOR YOUR ROOM SIZE?

The feeling of space in a room is definitely impacted by the width and length of your flooring planks. Important considerations revolve around the architecture, ceiling height and wall color. The wider widths and longer lengths are best suited to absorb some volume when you have taller ceilings than 9’ and lots of open space. There will be fewer planks which will help create a calming environment. Paint color contributes in making a space feel larger or smaller as well. For ceiling heights of 8’ or so, it’s important to consider narrower widths, say 5”-6” and less. There are always exceptions, so we recommend you “visualize” the floor you’re interested in before making the final commitment.

TEXTURE, TEXTURE, TEXTURE!

As they say, first impressions are everything. Your impression depends on what you see and how it makes you feel. When comparing smooth finishes to floors with texture, keep in mind that floors with texture show less wear and tear and will look better over time. Texture is achieved by variable levels of brushing the surface, hand scraping and other artisan techniques. Beveled edges not only highlight the width and overall dimensions of your floor planks, but also help hide the beginning impact.

CLEAN AND CALM OR MORE RUSTIC & LIVELY CHARACTERISTICS?

Here we go again, first impressions are everything. Wood floors which are knot free or nearly knot free tend to create a more zen like experience and work extremely well in modern, minimal or transitional spaces. If you prefer to have “wood flooring that looks like wood” as some feel, going for a floor with more knots and natural characteristics is going to be critical. The consideration here is how “natural” do you want to go? Think texture and lifestyle as knots and cracks can impact how a floor feels underfoot and potentially impact livability, especially if you’re someone who likes to walk around barefoot. There isn’t a right or wrong, it’s simply which expresses your style and design goals best.

Heartwood and sapwood with larger knots and puddy fill.

WHICH DIRECTION DO I INSTALL MY FLOORING?

This is a very common question. The industry guideline is to install wood flooring lengthwise towards the window. This elongates the floor as well as avoids highlighting bevels on the floor. Essentially, this can make your space feel much larger and less choppy. If the room is long and narrow and the windows are lengthwise, you’ll have to choose whether it is more important for you to highlight the shape or light.

HOW DO I TAKE CARE OF MY NEW WOOD FLOOR?

First, particularly if you live in a part of the country with cold winters, you need to use a hygrometer which will allow you to monitor the relative humidity of your space. Manufacturers and the industry generally recommend 35-55% relative humidity all year. Be sure you have a humidifier which will help you stay in this range. If your space lacks humidity it can lead to your floor gapping or worse, like cracks in your floor or the long sides of your planks curling up, called “dry cupping.” Simple analogy, if your skin doesn’t feel good, your floor isn’t happy either.

You’ve probably seen those commercials on tv from steam mop vendors showing you how easy it is to clean your new wood floor. Don’t even think about this as it will damage your investment over time and you’ll have no recourse. Oil soaps are also out for lacquer/urethane finished floors as they can leave behind a residue and damage your finish and floor potentially over time.

Another inexpensive and environmentally friendly solution of white vinegar and water is often mentioned as a hardwood floor cleaner. This is not acceptable for a lacquer/urethane finish as it can have a negative impact on your wood floor. When you are cleaning this type of floor finish, you’re cleaning the protective layer and not the actual wood. Vinegar is an acid and it will actually start to impact the finish on your floor. As the acid etches the surface, it will start to dull your floors finish.

Always consult your manufacturers care guidance based on the type of finish on your flooring. Using a pH-neutral cleaner is always recommended. Always avoid putting too much liquid of any kind of your wood floors. Readily available and smart choices include Bona Hardwood Floor cleaners or Loba Hardwood Floor cleaner.