Installing Hardwood Flooring - Selection Tips

One of the most durable and attractive flooring types is hardwood. The only problem with it is that there are so many different styles to choose from.

Choosing between pre-finished and unfinished will be your first consideration.

It used to be that the only choice was unfinished. This way you could just choose your floor and finish it to your taste after it was installed.

Even with the cost of stain and lacquer, it was still less expensive than purchasing finished hardwood. The price was so much less that it was well worth the work involved in finishing it yourself. Finished and unfinished types of hardwood flooring are much closer in price today than they once were.

There are other advantages to purchasing pre-finished hardwood flooring. The mess that comes along with finishing the floor yourself is not a consideration with this type. The installing pre-finished hardwood flooring is much less involved, since after the floor is laid and you are pretty much done. You also don't have to worry about the health hazards of the fumes and dust.

Obviously, your budget will be the main deciding factor, but you also want to take into consideration how much time and effort you want to put into installing hardwood flooring.

Choosing between all of the available styles of hardwood flooring is the real hard part. The choices include options from all over the world, including China, Brazil, Australia, The U.S., and others.

One of the more unique options is bamboo. It can be just as durable as the other styles, even though it's not really considered a wood. It can really compliment certain decorating schemes with it's yellow-brown appearance. At $5 per square foot, it is one of the more affordable options.

Brazilian Walnut, on the other hand, is at the other end of the scale, coming in at $13 per square foot. It also comes in a variety of color shades. The most recognizable is the lighter brown, similar to that of the walnut. Other, darker shades are also available. Installation can be difficult due to it's extremely hard surface, but that makes it more durable as well.

Mahogany is another popular choice that falls in the middle of the price scale. The rich look of this flooring would lead you to believe that it is at the higher end. It'd durable and beautiful with its reddish brown appearance.

For those who prefer installing hardwood flooring themselves, red oak is a popular choice. This is because it comes in a variety of widths and is quite affordable. You also get the strength and durability of the more expensive styles. It's as nice as any other if it is finished correctly.

Ash is a popular choice for those on a budget. This style is as light on the pocket book as it is in color at around $3 per square foot. This type of flooring has an attractive knotty appearance. A good choice for a room that requires a natural look is rustic ash.

Many of these styles also come in a variety of different options, such as distressed, pre-used, and others. This gives you even more options to work with if you are into the older look of a lived in home. You can get the look you desire without having to sacrifice strength and durability. As you can see, hardwood flooring provides enough options for every taste and budget.

         

Flooring Installation and Care