When it comes to choosing the right wood for flooring the options are so numerous it's easy to become lost in all the alternatives.
The first question to ask: Are Hardwood Floors the Right Choice?
Hardwood flooring is an attractive option that allows for a great amount of customization. There are some rooms that benefit greatly from this type of flooring such as bedrooms, and living rooms. However, rooms that have a high moisture content like bathrooms and laundry rooms would do better with tile.
Benefits of Hardwood Floors:
- it's comfortable and warm under bare feet.
- Wood is durable and long-lasting with proper maintenance.
- Wood adds character and a focal design element to your space.
- Tons of options for colors, grain, and stain to add your personality to your flooring.
Types of Flooring:
There are a couple of types of wood floors to choose from.
These include:
Engineered Wood - Made with a veneer layer of hardwood on top of layers of composite material and plywood
Solid Hardwood - Thick solid planks of wood joined by tongue and groove along each side
Wood Species
Wood species is where the options and looks vary the most. Oak is a popular choice and has a beautiful grain and can really make a room shine with the right type of stain. However, there are a great deal of choices here that include walnut, cherry, maple, ash, bamboo, and mahogany. Each of these species of wood have different grains and take to stains differently. Each of these options lead to the last section of this guide.
Cost
Your budget will play a large role in which options you ultimately choose. The price range of hardwood floors starts at $2.50 per square foot all the way up to $14 per square foot. Shopping around for the best prices for your budget is your best bet.
Finally
If you are installing your new wood floors yourself you will want to make sure all of your measurements are accurate. You will need the best Digital Tape Measure on the market. That is where eTape16 has your back.