Why Hardwood Floors Are Elegant, Beautiful and Durable
Hardwood floors are beautiful and elegant. While they were mainly used for luxury properties in the past, they are now becoming more and more popular among home builders and homeowners alike. Many people choose hardwood floors over carpets due to their low maintenance and graciousness. There are two types of hardwood floors for your hardwood floor installation.
Solid Wood Floors
Solid hardwood flooring is the more expensive form of hardwood flooring. However, they are extremely durable and gorgeous and will last for decades. You can choose between a large selection of wood species to find one that fits your personality and style. Solid hardwood flooring ranges from 5/16” to ¾” in thickness and come in a variety of widths and lengths. The wonderful thing about solid hardwood flooring is that it can be refinished over and over again throughout the years to restore the original appeal. Solid pre-finished hardwood floors are pre-finished at the factory, while you can also choose to have the finish applied upon hardwood floor installation. The problem with solid wood is that it is prone to taking damage from moisture, which is why it’s only recommended for areas at or above ground level. The installation takes a few days as the wood needs to be acclimated to the home prior to the actual installation.
Engineered Wood Floors
These types of floors are very similar to solid floors and it’s often difficult to distinguish between those two. They consist of a few layers of plywood and a top layer of actual hardwood. Just like solid wood, they come in various thicknesses ranging from ¼” to 9/16”. As for hardwood floor installation, engineered wood floors are usually cheaper than solid wood floors but offer similar elegance. They are highly versatile as well and can sometimes be even stronger than natural wood flooring. Engineered wood flooring can be installed directly over concrete, unlike solid wood. The multiple layers of pressed hardwood guarantee stability even under extreme pressures, which is why they are recommended for uneven floors.
Both solid and engineered wood floors are elegant, beautiful and durable. An expert in hardwood floor installation can help you make the right choice and ensure proper installation.