When looking for new wood floors, it’s easy to get overwhelmed — there are so many options, it can be hard to narrow it down. But with a bit of guidance and understanding of which questions to ask, you can narrow down the options and get closer to a decision. All it takes is a bit of wood floor research and education.
Wood floors are available in several different species, from pine to cherry to walnut to oak, and more. Each has a different look and feel.
Wood Floor Research
Learning about the various properties of wood flooring can be done through extensive and time-consuming research on your own. Or you could enroll in a wood floor course, like our Wood Floor Course 101 program, and get accurate, unbiased, and dependable information from expert sources.
Wood movement
The first thing to know is that a wood floor will react to its environment. It expands and contracts as it reacts to humidity in the air, typically by swelling in the warm, humid summer months and shrinking in the drier winter months. The amount of movement depends, in part, on the species of wood – some types are more affected by humidity than others.
Type of wood
Wood floors are available in several different species, from pine to cherry to walnut to oak, and more. Each has a different look and feel. Flooring also comes in different plank widths, with each width having a drastically different look. These are important considerations when looking to match the look and feel of your home.
Durability
More important, however, is the durability factor. Pine, for instance, is a relatively softwood and will dent and scratch easily. Oak, on the other hand, is a harder, more resilient wood. Consider your lifestyle — dogs, for instance, will scratch a floor with their claws – and how you feel about visibly scratched or dented floors when choosing flooring.
New floors can be expensive, so be sure to do your wood floor research before committing to a decision. Our Wood Floors Course 101 will help with that research by covering how the wood will react in different environments, what to expect, and how to match wood to your lifestyle, personal style, and your architectural home style.
Properly maintained, a wood floor can last a lifetime or longer.
To find the floor that’s right for you, schedule a free consultation today.