How to choose hardwood flooring
Hardwood flooring adds classic charm to any home and is versatile enough to look great in any decor from traditional to modern. It's available in hundreds of woods, with domestic species such as oak, cherry, and walnut, or exotic ones such as tigerwood, Brazilian cherry, Timborana, or Tiete rosewood, and more. Wood floors last for years are easy to maintain and add value to a property.
The two versions of hardwood
It used to be that the floors always came in planks made from solid wood. Lately, however, a version called engineered wood flooring is taking a significant share of the wood flooring industry because it appeals to those who want both beauty and practicality. Wood tends to move, but engineered is layered and placed in a crosswise position, creating opposing forces that result in more stability and a better ability to handle water.
Engineered also provides more options in installation. While solid is always the traditional tongue and groove/nail down, engineered floors can be a fast and uncomplicated floating floor. Here, the pieces click together, mat, then hover over a clean, dry, and level subfloor with no nails or glue. Engineered is acceptable to place over concrete and is also compatible with radiant heat.
Engineered also provides more options in installation. While solid is always the traditional tongue and groove/nail down, engineered floors can be a fast and uncomplicated floating floor. Here, the pieces click together, mat, then hover over a clean, dry, and level subfloor with no nails or glue. Engineered is acceptable to place over concrete and is also compatible with radiant heat.
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Choose your grain pattern
Logs are cut in three different ways: plain-sawn offers the traditional wood grain with waves and ripples, which is the one most of us know. Rift-sawn produces long, straight, uniform grains without any waves, ripples or bellows. Quarter-sawn planks are much like rift but have additional curving and twisting, giving it an almost iridescent look.
Decide on pre-finished or on-site finish
Many still prefer on-site finish because there's a greater variety which allows for more customization. It's also smoother since on-site finished floors are typically sanded after they're nailed down. Factory finish, however, lets you know what you're getting and, with samples in hand, you can start the coordination process even before the floors are delivered. Some feel factory-finished floors are more robust since a commercial grade finish, not available for applications in the home, is used.
Here for all your hardwood flooring needs
Since we buy in bulk, we can pass the savings on to you with quality installations and free estimates. For information, visit Smitty's Carpet Connection at either of our locations in Steubenville and Cadiz, OH. We work with homeowners and businesses in and around Steubenville, OH, Cadiz, OH, Weirton, WV, Wintersville, OH, Follansbee, WV, Alikanna, OH, Colliers, WV, Toronto, OH, Wellsburg, WV and Richmond, OH. Visit us today for you hardwood flooring upgrade.
