Hardwood floors are an excellent option for many homeowners. They’re beautiful, durable, and add value to your home.
However, there are some drawbacks to hardwood flooring. They’re expensive and sensitive to moisture. They can also be susceptible to scratches and dents. They can also change color over time. Fortunately, they’re easy to repair with sanding and refinishing. For professional assistance, contact Flooring Fairfield NJ now!
Hardwood floors add a natural texture that enhances the beauty of any space. In addition, they work well in most home styles and are easier to pair with other furniture and decor choices than carpets. Additionally, hardwood is durable enough to last a long time and can be refinished multiple times in its lifespan to refresh the look.
Choosing the right wood flooring color is also important. Lighter shades can make small spaces feel bigger and more spacious while darker tones can create a cozy atmosphere. Additionally, evaluating the existing design and style of a home is critical, as different types of wood can clash with certain designs.
Popular hardwood species include oak, maple, and walnut. Oak has a natural beauty that works with traditional and contemporary styles while maple is known for its strength and consistent coloring. Walnut, on the other hand, is prized for its rich colors and elegant appearance. These hardwoods can resist dents and scratches, making them ideal for high-traffic areas.
The shade of a hardwood floor will also affect its ability to hide dirt, dents, and scuff marks. Darker shades tend to be more resistant to stains, but they may show scratches and scrapes more easily than lighter shades.
Another benefit of hardwood is that it comes from a renewable resource and is therefore considered more environmentally friendly than other flooring materials. Furthermore, wood doesn’t trap allergens and other contaminants like carpets and can be disinfected quickly. This is especially beneficial for homes with children and pets as it improves air quality and reduces irritants that can cause asthma and allergies. It also aligns with the principles of biophilic design, which aims to incorporate elements of nature into interior spaces to positively impact health and wellness.
Durability
Hardwood floors are durable, but they’re not indestructible. Like any flooring, they can be damaged by heavy foot traffic and constant sunlight. Whether or not your hardwoods are prone to damage, regular maintenance and preventive measures can extend their lifespan. Using doormats and encouraging family members to remove their shoes before entering the home, placing felt protectors on the feet of furniture, and rearranging your furniture occasionally will all help to prolong the life of your hardwood floors.
When assessing wood flooring durability, one of the most important factors is its hardness, which can be measured by an industry-standard test called the Janka Hardness Rating. This test determines how much force is needed to embed a steel ball halfway into different species of wood flooring. Oak, for example, has a Janka rating of 1300 and is known for its durability.
Another consideration is how a particular type of hardwood flooring holds up to changes in humidity levels. Solid wood can develop cupping if it’s exposed to high moisture levels over time, which can result in gaps between boards and other problems. Engineered hardwoods, on the other hand, are able to withstand humidity levels that would cause solid wood to warp and swell, so they’re ideal for areas of the home that will be exposed to moisture.
It’s worth noting that the durability of engineered hardwood is often dependent on the quality of plywood used to create it and the glues that are used to hold the layers together. Vermont Plank flooring is ahead of the curve on this, utilizing only top-quality plywood and non-toxic formaldehyde-free glues to manufacture our engineered hardwoods. The use of these superior materials will ensure that your new engineered hardwood floors can stand up to the challenges posed by changing humidity levels and years of high-traffic usage.
Maintenance
Hardwood flooring adds value to your home and lasts longer than other types of flooring materials. It can be sanded and refinished several times over the years to keep it looking like new. Carpet floors, on the other hand, must be replaced after a few years due to damage from dust and debris. Hardwood flooring is also hypoallergenic and can help to improve indoor air quality by removing dust and allergens.
However, hardwood can be susceptible to scratches and dents from everyday wear and tear. It is important to choose a hard wood species and use felt protectors under furniture legs to prevent damage from heavy furniture or high heels. Hardwood flooring can also be damaged by excessive moisture, which can cause warping and buckling. It is also more expensive to install than some other types of flooring.
Engineered hardwoods are more durable than solid wood and can be installed over many different subfloors, including concrete. They can also be sanded and refinished multiple times, but are less expensive than solid hardwoods. They are less sensitive to moisture than solid hardwoods and can be used in basements.
Although some people prefer the look of hardwood floors, it can be difficult to maintain properly. The wood can scratch easily if not cared for correctly, and can become discolored with prolonged exposure to sunlight. It is recommended to use window treatments that provide a low e-coating, which will help to block out UV rays and protect the color of the hardwood. It is also a good idea to regularly rearrange furniture and rugs so that the floor gets even exposure to sunlight.
Noise
Hardwood flooring is a beautiful, natural material that adds a sense of style and luxury to any home. However, if it is not properly installed and cared for, it can become noisy and require expensive repairs. To avoid this, it is best to hire a professional flooring installer. They will ensure quality products and installation techniques that will last a lifetime.
Wood floors can be acoustically loud, especially in homes with open floor plans and no soundproofing between the floors. However, there are ways to help reduce the noise. The first step is to use a thick underlayment. This is a layer of foam, rubber, or fiber placed between the plywood or concrete subfloor and your hardwood flooring to reduce the vibrations that cause noise.
The other solution is to place sound-absorbing rugs in high traffic areas. These rugs will trap the vibrations and absorb some of the impact sounds that would otherwise travel to rooms below. The best rugs are those with thick, dense fibers that can absorb both impact and airborne sounds.
Another way to reduce the noise from hardwood floors is to opt for a glue-down installation method. Glue-down hardwood floors will reduce the movement of the floor and subfloor, which can cause vibrations that create noise. Additionally, using adhesives will help limit the transmission of noise between rooms by reducing vibrations.
It is also important to regularly sweep and mop your wood floors. Dust, dirt, and debris can scratch the finish and damage the floor over time. To avoid this, consider placing doormats at each entrance and putting rugs in high-traffic areas. Additionally, try to avoid direct sunlight, as it can fade the color of your hardwood over time.
Cost
The cost of hardwood flooring varies based on your wood species, thickness, grade and the installation method. A glue-down installation will be more expensive than a floating installation where planks interlock without adhesive.
Natural hardwood floors offer timeless beauty, high resale value and add elegance to any home. They’re also hypoallergenic, meaning they don’t trap dust, dander and other allergens like carpet can. However, the upfront costs can be a deterrent for some homeowners.
Solid hardwood requires more trees than engineered hardwood to make one floorboard, but it can be repurposed or recycled when its lifespan is up, so choosing a sustainably-harvested wood is good for the environment. Engineered wood, on the other hand, utilizes byproducts and scraps of traditional wood manufacturing processes to make its planks, so it requires fewer trees to produce.
Both hardwood options are durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic, but they can scratch or dent more easily than other floor coverings, such as vinyl and laminate. They are also sensitive to moisture and can warp or crack if exposed to high humidity for long periods of time.
Adding an over-sized humidifier to your home can help minimize this problem. For areas of your home that may experience high levels of humidity, consider choosing a different type of flooring, such as a vinyl or luxury vinyl tile (LVT), which can be installed over concrete subfloors.
If you’re interested in installing new hardwood floors, consult a professional installer and choose a premium species of hardwood to ensure longevity. Consider the wood’s Janka rating, which is an indication of its hardness. A higher Janka rating means the harder the wood, the more durable it will be.