Once you’ve made the decision to get hardwood floors, you may think that’s it. But there are many more choices you need to make before you end up with the hardwood flooring of your dreams. Just as with carpet and tile, there are many varieties and styles of hardwood floors to choose from. That’s good news since you’ll want a hardwood floor that suits your personality, lifestyle, and home. What are the different options with regard to hardwood floors, and how do you choose the right one? Here’s a handy guide.
Width of Hardwood Planks
The width of the planks of the hardwood floors lends a different look depending on which one you choose. Typically, wider planks are better for larger rooms, while narrower planks do well in smaller rooms. Narrow planks tend to be less than three inches wide, and are also more keeping in with the look of traditional hardwood floors from decades past.
Hardwood Floor Finishes
Hardwood floors come in a variety of finishes. While the material itself may be different, the finish can make the hardwood look as if it were made of a different material. For instance, a cherry finish on oak can make the hardwood flooring look as if it was solid cherry. The finish can also be a high gloss or something less reflective. Remember that reflective, high gloss surfaces tend to leave marks more easily visible, such as footprints.
Lifestyle and Your Choice of Hardwood Flooring
Your lifestyle plays an important role in what kind of hardwood flooring you should choose. If you have a family with youngsters and pets, a low sheen, durable hardwood floor with narrow planks may make more sense. Hardwood flooring like this will show fewer signs of traffic due to paw prints and footprints.
If, however, you have a high end, more elegant home with mostly adults, you can safely opt for a high gloss finish that complements a gentle lifestyle with high-end furnishings.
A Lifetime of Use
One thing is for sure. Hardwood floors last a lifetime and more. Hardwood floors and planks are often repurposed from older homes that are being demolished. That stands as a testament to the enduring quality of hardwood floors. So whatever kind of hardwood flooring you choose for your new home or remodel, you can be certain that you are making an investment in a quality product that will last for generations. That’s the promise of hardwood floors. That’s the promise of Mansfield Flooring. For a free consultation, please contact us today.