Hardwood flooring can turn out to be one of the most beautiful parts in your home. Today, real wood flooring is exceedingly popular not only for its looks but also for its functional aspects and it is ideal for any type of property. If you have decided to install hardwood flooring in your home, there are nine things to check for before you make the final choice for purchase and installation. These nine things are elaborated below.

Cost

The cost of installing hardwood flooring is a variable and it cannot be defined clearly. You should set out to perform some online research. You must understand the factors that can affect the cost. This includes the type of hardwood, the process of installation, contractor’s experience and also the location.

Quality

Every type of hardwood floor has different elements on which its quality depends. You need to find out the factors that affect its quality. This includes the grade, species, average board length and finish among others. Some other factors like the place of manufacture can also have a strong bearing on the quality of the wood.

Hardness

There are some typical tests that can help you measure the hardness of a wood. These tests can help you determine whether the wood can withstand the wear and tear of a busy lifestyle or not. These tests involve the comparison of hardness of different species by finding the amount of pressured required to drive in a steel ball into the wood. The more the pressure required, the harder is the hardwood.

Solid vs. Engineered

Another thing you need to do is to choose whether you want to buy solid or engineered hardwood floors. The difference between these types is based upon their use. Solid wooden floors can be used for hundreds of years without losing their warmth and charm. However, engineered wood is not cut from a solid wooden block, but it consists of a solid wood on the surface which is placed on plies that are laminated together. They are ideal for using in basements or over concrete floors.

Finish

Modern hardwood floors are no longer waxed or scrubbed. Nowadays, you can find wood floors that get pre-finished at the factory with several layers of urethane. You can also buy hardwood flooring that is finished with Aluminum Oxide in order to enhance the life of the wood.

Choice of Installation Process

There are various types of installation process options to choose from when you have decided to install hardwood flooring in your home. The major processes are nail down, staple down, glue down and floating installation. When you consider installation of solid wooden floors, generally the nail down process is used. In this process nailing cleats are used in order to fix the floor with the sub-floor. In the process of staple down installation, a pneumatic staple gun drives staples into the wooden plank and the sub-floor. This process is not as difficult as the first one. In the glue down process, the boards get directly glued to the sub-floor. The process of floating floor installation involves application of wood glue on the groove and tongue of each of the plank. Here, padding is positioned below the floor in order to protect the flooring from noise and moisture.

Expansion and Contraction

Even though it is normal to find expansion and contraction in wood due to changes in weather conditions, excessive changes are sometimes not listed properly by the company that sells you the flooring. Make sure that you clear this with the supplier.

Natural Variation

Similar to leather, silk and precious stones, wood is also shaped differently due to natural forces. You need to know that there is always a chance that the way the hardwood appears in the showroom may not be the way it may look in your home.

Hardwood Flooring In the Kitchen

Earlier hardwood flooring was not considered for kitchens, but today it has become a kind of norm. So, it is up to you to decide whether you want to install hardwood floors in your kitchen or not. Modern finishes help in making hardwood floors not only appealing, but also easier to keep clean and protected in the kitchen.

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Category: Home Management
Keywords: Hard Cleaners,hardwood flooring,moisture ,install hardwood flooring ,Installing Hardwood Floors