Which Are the Best Types of Hardwood Floors for You?

Why Choose Hardwood Flooring?

Hardwood floors are considered to be the most beautiful and best flooring option for your home. Not only can they last for over 100 years but also because their natural beauty is unmatched. Depending on climatic conditions, foot traffic, and budget considerations you can choose between solid hardwood and engineered hardwood flooring. Both are very easy to care for.

Let's take a closer look at the different types of the most common hardwood floors, and their benefits. 

Solid Wood Planks

A solid wood floor plank is made from a single piece of wood that has been cut directly from a tree and then cut into planks with tongue and groove edges. You can purchase the flooring materials as either pre-finished or unfinished in many American wood species as well as the exotic imports.  The investment for hardwood flooring is a little higher due to the cost of installation and the cost of wood. But when you consider its longevity the upfront cost is well worth it when considering this being a once in a lifetime investment.  

During the installation, solid wood floor planks are typically nailed to a subfloor in a pre-determined pattern. Natural wood can and will react to fluctuations in temperatures and moisture. As a result,  you may notice the floorboards expanding and/or contracting. Proper installation is crucial to prevent buckling or gapping. Solid wood boards can range in thicknesses from 5/16 to ¾ in and a typical width of 2 ¼ to 5 in.  Hardwood floors can be sanded bare and refinished several times to renew their beauty and give them a new lease on life. 

Solid Wood Tiles for Parquet Flooring

Parquet flooring has been around for a long, long time and is still in high demand. Especially with homeowners living in Victorian homes. They have a timeless beauty all of their own. Parquet flooring can be constructed in many different configurations. In fact, you are only limited by your imagination. To make the installation process easier, you would purchase wood tiles. Wood tiles are available in a variety of wood species and colors. The most popular parquet flooring options are Herringbone and Chevron but you can literally find lots of ideas on Pinterest.  Wood tiles are most commonly available in square foot tiles with square edges. Typically installation process is to use glue-down installation. Because you are dealing with much smaller pieces the installation process will take a bit longer. For a smooth flooring surface, expert installation is highly recommended.

Bamboo Flooring

We have seen a huge surge in popularity and demand for this type of flooring. And rightly so, bamboo floors are sturdy, easy to maintain, and also beautiful. There are 3 constructions in bamboo,

• Vertical: Here Bamboo stalks are vertically fused, resulting in consistent linear lines for a modern appearance.
• Horizontal: Alternating bamboo layers are fused together, maintaining growth joints for a natural appearance.
• Strand-woven: Shredded bamboo fibers are compressed into a durable flooring material mimicking hardwood.

Engineered Hardwood

This unique brand of hardwood flooring is very attractive to many homeowners due to its lower costs while still providing the look of hardwood. This type of flooring can be used in bathrooms and is very easy to clean. Engineered hardwood and can be installed over existing flooring which cuts down on installation time and labor costs since the old flooring doesn't have to be ripped out first. In addition, engineered hardwood is always factory finished so there is no waiting for the top finish to cure. No glue or nailing is required, planks click together for easy installation. Engineered hardwood is constructed of several thin layers that are fused together. Only the top layer is a thin slice of natural wood. Due to the cross-ply construction of alternates layers opposite one another, each layer can expand and contract in different directions with little to no visible change. Floors with a thicker top layer can be carefully sanded and refinished up to 2 times to remove minor scratches. More serious dents, scratches, and damages mean that the floor will have to be replaced. 

So you can see that when it comes to selecting the best hardwood flooring in your home there are many aspects to take into consideration before you can narrow it down to the one that is best for you.  A great way to help you with this process is to consult with a hardwood flooring specialist such as West Coast Floor Company in Napa.  Schedule an appointment in their Napa showroom to see an array of wood samples and get their recommendations.

What is Better: Solid vs Engineered Hardwood?

So you’ve decided to purchase hardwood flooring.  Great choice!

However, your decision-making process is not quite over. You’ll still have to drill if you want to purchase engineered or solid hardwood floors. As you might expect there are pros and cons for either. Perhaps reading this article will help you decide.

Solid Hardwood

Solid wood flooring planks, as the name implies, are constructed of trees. 

Pros: 

• Sturdy and will last 100 years+
• Can be sanded down and refinished as often as needed
• Damaged planks can be replaced and matched to the existing floor
• Natural and timeless beauty
• Highly thought after and has been proven to increase the property value
• Customization options in terms of wood, pattern, and stain, top finish
• The option between pre-fished and unfinished.

Cons:

• Exposure to moisture can be a problem
• More expensive
• The Installation process takes longer since the finishing takes place on-site, that is if you purchase the naked wood.

Additional Considerations:

Type Of Wood and Grain

The most popular types of hardwood floors in North America are oak, walnut, maple, hickory, cherry, and ash.

Each has its own personality when it comes to color, grain, and ability to take on the stain, so it’s largely a matter of aesthetics – and price.

Woodgrain is often influenced by the way the timber is cut.

Plank Width

Hardwood planks can range in width from a couple of inches to almost a foot.

The wider the plank the more it will cost.

When you use wide planks you’ll end up with fewer seams which some find aesthetically more pleasing. However, with wider planks, if your floor ever becomes damaged you’ll need to replace a lot more lumber at a greater expense.

Pre-Finished or Raw Wood

If you choose pre-finished boards you'll know exactly what the finished floor will look like whereas raw wood floors finished on-site can vary a bit from the sample once the stain has been applied. In contrast, however, on-site finished planks can be stained to fit your interior. The added benefit to pre-finished planks is that the installation process is much quicker due to the fact that the finishing process was already done at the factory and you need not worry about letting the protective coating dry.

Engineered Hardwood Flooring

Engineered hardwood flooring is an affordable option to real wood flooring. It is available in many styles and colors and has a classic, cozy look that many people love. It usually costs less than solid wood flooring, (due to less labor) yet it is nearly as durable and long-lasting.

Engineered floor planks are constructed by interlinking strips of engineered materials that are glued or nailed to each other using an interlocking agent. The boards are made from various types of engineered materials including engineered maple floor planks, engineered walnut floor planks, engineered bamboo floor planks, and more. 

There are many benefits to choosing engineered hardwood flooring over solid wood: for one, it is easier to install and maintain, and for another, it can tolerate some moisture. However, it is not as strong or solid as real wood. 

In Conclusion:

No matter what you choose, you will have a durable, good looking, and timeless flooring material that will serve you well for years to come.

If we can assist you in picking the "right for your situation" type of flooring please give us a call at (707) 864-2199 for a complementary design consultation.