How to Choose the Best Hardwood Floors for Your Room

Hardwood floor is a classic, timeless and elegant investment for your home. Not only does it make your abode aesthetically appealing, but also adds to your property value. Best part? These floors are easy to maintain and can last long.

So, it is no surprise if you are planning to install it.

However, before proceeding, make sure to consider a few key factors, such as choosing the right type of hardwood floors for the level of foot traffic and what will be underneath the flooring.

Unsure how to get started with these considerations?

Don’t worry!

This guide will navigate you over the styles and features of different types of hardwood flooring as well as other factors like installation, maintenance and price. Hope it will help you choose the right hardwood floors with confidence.

Let’s get started!

Understanding the Types of Hardwood Flooring

Generally, there are two main categories of hardwood floors—engineered wood and solid wood.

Engineered Wood Floors:

Engineered wood floors, built with multiple layers of plywood and finished with a hardwood veneer, ensure superior durability and moisture resistance.

They are generally recommended for basements and other areas which are prone to humidity.

They are easy to install and available in a wide array of shades.

Pros:

• As they have multi-layered construction, they ensure outstanding durability.
• They are generally installed in areas prone to moisture. Examples include basements.
• They come in a broad array of colours and finishes to choose from.

Cons:

• They are quite expensive.
• Due to its layered structure, engineered wood cannot be sanded down and refinished, limiting its customization options.

Solid Wood Floors:

A single piece of wood is used to make solid wood floors, compared to engineered woods which are made of several wood layers. The process includes multiple sanding and refinishing till they achieve the desired shape and appearance.

The standard thicknesses of these woods are ¾ inch or 5/16 inch. They can be installed at any level of your property above ground. You can easily customize the appearance and style of your solid wood floor, thanks to a wide range of wood types to choose from.

Pros:

• There’s a diverse array of wood species to pick from.
• You can get them sanded and refinished multiple times.
• They come with exceptional durability.

Cons:

• They are prone to moisture and humidity.
• Installing them can be challenging, requiring professional expertise.
• They require regular maintenance.

Consider the Foot Traffic and Moisture of Your Room

The next step is to consider how much foot traffic and moisture your floors will endure, especially when you have pets or young children. 

The level of wear and tear will vary depending on the room. For instance, your kitchen will experience more spills and foot traffic than your bedroom.

That’s why it becomes essential to choose the wood with the right level of hardness that can resist this level of wear and tear.

In this case, the Janka Hardness Scale can help you. It compares the hardness of different wood species. Higher numbers indicate greater resistance to denting. The scale is easy to find online.

For high-traffic areas such as the kitchen and the hallway, choose hardwood species with high Janka Hardness ratings, such as oak, maple and hickory. This is because these woods are highly resistant to scratches and wear. Go for softer woods, like walnut or cherry, for bedrooms with lighter foot traffic.

You can choose softer woods like pine or cherry for low-traffic areas like home offices and guest rooms.

For basements, choose engineered wood floor as it is more stable and withstand moisture over there. For bathroom and laundry rooms, you can opt for waterproof hardwood flooring made up of hardwood and bamboo veneers with a waterproof core and protective coating.

For basements, engineered wood floors are the best choice due to their stability and moisture resistance. Waterproof hardwood flooring works well for moisture-prone areas like bathrooms and laundry rooms.

Made from a combination of hardwood and bamboo veneers with a waterproof core and protective coating, these floors resist moisture while still offering the same texture and grain patterns as traditional hardwood.

Pick the Colour and Grain Pattern

When picking your hardwood floor, consider the colour and grain pattern. These affect the look and feel of your space.

• Light colours, like maple or light oak, make rooms feel bigger and more open. They’re good for small rooms where you want to create a sense of space.
• Medium-toned woods, like oak or hickory, are versatile and fit many design styles, making them ideal for most rooms.
• Dark woods, like walnut or cherry, give a room a cozy, elegant feel and work best in larger spaces.
• Grain patterns, like straight ones, look modern and clean, while more noticeable patterns, like cathedrals or swirls, give a rustic charm.

Determine Hardwood Flooring Quality

When choosing hardwood flooring, it’s essential to evaluate the quality of the planks to ensure a durable and attractive installation. Here are the key factors to consider:

Knots and Grain:

• Examine the size and placement of knots. Larger knots typically suggest lower-quality wood.
• Look for consistent colour and grain patterns across the planks to create a unified appearance.

Edge Quality:

Check the edges of the planks for smoothness and evenness. Chips or gouges can indicate poor craftsmanship or subpar materials.

Texture and Feel:

• Look for the natural features of the wood, including grain, texture, and knots.
• Run your hand over the planks to assess their smoothness and overall quality.

Warping:

Inspect the planks for any warping or bending, as this may signal moisture issues and lower-quality wood.

Installing Over Existing Floor or What You Have Underneath

The existing floor plays a big role in deciding what type of hardwood flooring you can use and how it should be installed. 

• Plywood Subfloor: If your base is solid plywood, you have lots of options! You can use most types of hardwood flooring, including those that are nailed, glued, or even the click-together kind that floats above the subfloor.
• Existing Wood Floor: If you’re putting hardwood over an old wood floor, it’s best to choose thinner boards with a strong factory finish. This helps create a smooth transition between rooms and prevents tripping hazards.
• Concrete Slab or Tile: You can’t nail hardwood to concrete. Consider using click-together flooring that floats or choose a type that can be glued down.
• Radiant Floor Heating: Engineered hardwood is the best choice here because it’s thinner and more stable than solid wood, which can be affected by heat.

Understanding the Cost Factor:

The cost of hardwood flooring depends on several factors, ranging from the type of wood to labour.

Solid wood can cost you around $4 to $13 per square foot while engineered wood costs around $5 to $16 per square foot.

Let’s say you want new flooring in a 1,000-square-foot area. You should expect to pay:

• $4,000 to $13,000 for solid hardwood.
• $3,000 to $16,000 for engineered wood.

Those costs only reflect materials, however.

If you’re hiring someone to remove old flooring and put in new hardwood, labour could easily add another $3 to $4 per square foot, depending on your location. You may also have to purchase subfloor materials, which may cost up to $4 per square foot. 

The Bottom Line:

Hardwood flooring is an excellent investment for your home. To make the most of your investment and keep it long-lasting, make sure to research your options and see if they can fit the budget.

Ready to install your hardwood floors? Or you are still looking for a personalized consultation? We would be happy to help you.

Contact our flooring experts at Prestige Construction and Landscaping. We are known for our commitment to quality, attention to detail, efficient workmanship and outstanding customer support.

Schedule your consultation with us today!