I Want a Hardwood Floor. Where do I Start?
If you’re not a flooring expert or interior designer or don’t have a backlog of flooring knowledge up your sleeve, finding the right hardwood floor for your Minnesota home can get overwhelming.
Choosing between wood species, grain patterns, engineering types, and finishes without knowing what you’re looking for can feel like blindly throwing darts, hoping you’ll land on the right choice.
Dave’s Floor Sanding is your local flooring expert, here to give you a quick rundown on the basics of hardwood flooring, so that you choose a floor that works best for your home.
What Are the Benefits of Hardwood Flooring?
Most homeowners install hardwood floors because the look of wood flooring has been popular for centuries, and is exactly what many homeowners envision when they imagine their dream home. Popularity aside, hardwood floors also happen to be a great investment for other reasons. Here are a few:
Hardwood Floors Are Long-Lasting
One of the most compelling reasons homeowners choose wood flooring is for its durability and longevity. Hardwoods such as oak, maple, and hickory are well known for their strength and their ability to withstand the wear and tear of daily life.
If you want flooring that’s resistant to discoloration, weight, the scrape of sand, salt, and dirt, hardwood flooring is the way to go.
Hardwood Floors Look Great
Nothing says this is a nice, cozy home quite like hardwood floors.
With a wide variety of natural grain patterns, textures, and colors, hardwood floors offer a warm and sophisticated look to all households, no matter the feel or theme of your decor. That’s why you’ll find hardwood floors in all kinds of houses, from modern urban lofts to traditional country homes.
Hardwood Floors Increase Your Property Value
Because of their popularity, durability, and aesthetic versatility, homes with hardwood floors tend to have a higher resale value than homes with other kinds of flooring. Many homebuyers are on the hunt for homes with hardwood flooring and are willing to place a higher bet for them.
No matter how you look at it, installing hardwood floors is one of the best investments you can make in your home.
Hardwood Floors Boost Your Indoor Air Quality
Unlike carpet flooring, hardwood floors can handle moisture and don’t have fibers where dust, pet dander, and other allergens can hide. Hardwood floors are an excellent choice for homeowners with allergies.
Hardwood Floors Are Easy to Clean and Maintain
Why would you want floors that are a hassle to clean? Hardwood floors only need regular sweeping and occasional mopping with a wood-friendly cleaner to keep them looking as good as new.
Hardwood Floors Are Sustainable
Environmentally-conscious homeowners will be glad to hear that hardwood floors are a sustainable option. Many hardwood flooring options are sourced from managed forests, where manufacturers give back as much as they take. Not to mention that the longevity of hardwood floors means infrequent replacement and reduced environmental impact over time.
What Wood Species Works Best for My Minnesota Home?
Choosing the best hardwood flooring option for your home can be difficult because of the variety in color, grain pattern, hardness, and cost that comes with it. At Dave’s Floor Sanding & Installation, our flooring experts often get asked which wood species works best for Minnesota homes.
Let’s go over some of your best options:
Oak Floors
If you’re looking for wood flooring that stands out for its ability to age remarkably well, choose oak flooring. Oak floors are durable, are relatively easy to fix when subject to minor damage, and take on a unique finish over time.
Ash Floors
Like oak, ash floors age well and don’t splinter. Ash is also shock-absorbing, comfortable to walk on, and flexible, which means that it can tolerate humidity and temperature fluctuations better than other types of wood.
Maple Floors
Sugar maple is harder than ash and white oak, which makes it a little more durable. Maple floors are also resistant to minor scuff damage. Maple’s light texture and open-grain pattern make it a good option for homeowners aiming for a modern style for their flooring.
Cherry Floors
American cherry is known for its beautiful, warm tones. However, it’s softer than most hardwoods and not recommended for busy households.
What Else Do I Need To Know about Hardwood Flooring?
You’ve found the wood species you need and are ready to get your floor installed. However, there are a few considerations you need to keep in mind before you commit to a specific wood flooring type:
Engineered Hardwood vs. Solid Hardwood
Solid Hardwood is what people typically think of when they consider hardwood flooring for their homes. Made of solid wood planks, solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished multiple times. Note that solid hardwood isn’t recommended for basements or other areas with high moisture levels.
Engineered Hardwood consists of a hardwood veneer atop several layers of plywood or hardwood. Engineered hardwood tolerates humidity and moisture better than solid hardwood, making it a better option for basements and mudrooms.
Finishes and Stains
A great finish will get you the look you want for your floor, but it also determines how much maintenance your floor will need in the long run. If you’re a Minnesota homeowner, consider a matte or satin finish to handle the wear and tear of dirt, sand, salt, and moisture that you track in while ensuring your floors look as good as ever. Stains can help you adjust your floor’s color, ranging from natural to dark shades.
Sustainability
If you’re looking for sustainable hardwood floors, many hardwood retailers offer wood options sourced from sustainably managed forests.
I Have Questions – Who Do I Call?
There are many factors that weigh into which hardwood floor is best for your home. At Dave’s Floor Sanding & Installation, our team of experts will consider your household needs, personal tastes, and Minnesota’s climate to help you choose a wood flooring option that’s perfect for your home. Call Dave’s Floor Sanding & Installation today to learn more about how to choose the right wood floor for your home.