Hardwood flooring brings warmth and classic style to a home. Nothing is more satisfying than buying a used home and ripping up old carpet to find hardware floors intact.
There’s a flooring choice for every home. From farmhouse to modern, wood flooring doesn’t go out of style. No wonder new home buyers seek out hardwood floors over tile or carpet.
If you’re ready to bring new flooring into your home, you’ve got some choices to make. First, you have to get to know the different types of hardwood flooring.
Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered Hardwood
You have two options when you start shopping for hardwood floors. The first is traditional solid hardwood flooring.
Engineered hardwood is your second option. This second kind is made from several pieces of wood pressed together with a layer of hardwood on the top and bottom.
There are benefits to both kinds of wood. And which one you choose depends on your home and your budget.
Cost
On average, engineered hardwood is slightly cheaper than solid hardwood. Engineered hardwoods average $3-14 per square foot. Solid hardwoods range from $8-15 per square foot.
Durability
Hardwood flooring is a slightly more expensive investment, but it lasts a long time. The average lifespan of solid hardwood flooring is 30 to 100 years. While the average lifespan for engineered wood flooring is 20 to 40 years.
Of course, the lifespan of your flooring depends on how well you take care of it. But, you can often still find hardwood flooring in great condition in houses that are over 50 years old.
Moisture Resistance
Solid hardwood flooring isn’t very water-resistant. If exposed to prolonged moisture, then it’s likely to warp and expand. Engineered hardwood flooring is more water-resistant because its core layers are non-hardwood.
That makes engineered hardwoods better for places that are prone to water. They’re less likely to warp and expand.
But even then, it’s better not to put hardwood flooring anywhere moisture is likely to be (such as basements or bathrooms).
Buy Finished or Unfinished
Whether you purchase factory-finished or unfinished flooring depends on how customized you want your flooring to be and how soon you need to be able to walk on it.
If you buy unfinished flooring, then you have the option of choosing a custom stain and sealant for the wood. This is also convenient if you need to match existing flooring.
Factory-finished flooring is becoming more and more popular. This flooring is ready to walk on immediately. No matter which finishes you choose, hardwood flooring can complement your décor.
Most Popular Types of Hardwood Flooring
Many wood species make beautiful hardwood flooring. You can choose between darker or lighter woods as well as rare or common wood species. Just make sure to source your floors from a sustainable place.
Wood Species
- Oak
- Cherry
- Walnut
- Hickory
- Maple
- Bamboo (actually a grass!)
- Teak
Just about any kind of wood, whether rare or common, can become hardwood flooring with the right treatment.
Get More Homeowner Tips
Hardwood flooring pulls a room together. Natural wood tones add a sense of warmth within a home, matches all decor styles, and increases the resale value of your home.
If you liked this guide on different types of hardwood flooring, then check out our other blog posts.
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