A guide to hardwood flooring
Wood floors have long been a "must-have" among homeowners and potential home buyers. They add a rich, warm elegance to any room and have a host of benefits, some of which may you may not even be aware of. Following are some things you should know when shopping for hardwood.
Don't be afraid of water damage
We say that for a couple of reasons. First, if you wipe spills immediately and handle floods right away, you'll be fine, but there's also another version that will eliminate most concerns. It's called engineered wood flooring. Unlike solid, engineered floors are layered and, at the top, a slice of any of your chosen species.
That top layer gives the floor undertones, knots, raised grains, and swirls, but underneath are three or more genuine wood layers, combined with a bit of resin; they are then placed in a crosswise position. Those layers are what give the floor stability and a better ability to handle water. As a result, it has more installation versatility and can be placed in some higher-than-normal moisture areas where solid isn't recommended, such as basements. Like solid, it can be refinished several times and adds value to a property.
That top layer gives the floor undertones, knots, raised grains, and swirls, but underneath are three or more genuine wood layers, combined with a bit of resin; they are then placed in a crosswise position. Those layers are what give the floor stability and a better ability to handle water. As a result, it has more installation versatility and can be placed in some higher-than-normal moisture areas where solid isn't recommended, such as basements. Like solid, it can be refinished several times and adds value to a property.
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Hundreds of species from which to choose
Do you have extra durability needs? Not all hardwood flooring has the same strength level, so ask where something's positioned on the Janka Scale. Do you want an exotic, harvested in locales like North Africa, Indonesia, Brazil, or a domestic, harvested within North America? Exotics are very hard, dark, and dramatic; domestics are warmer and more traditional and some, like oak and hickory, are pretty hard.
Wood flooring is cost-effective
That is especially so when you look at the big picture. These floors last for decades, some up to 100 years, and often look even better with age. When they look scratched or worn, it usually takes only a refinishing to bring them up to luster, meaning there are few, if any, replacement costs. If you refinish, you can change your decor and stain them another color!
Hardwood flooring adds value to a property; in fact, real estate agents around the country tell us that potential buyers will often pay more for a house with these floors, whether solid or engineered. Come into the Floors 4 Iowa showroom in Ankeny, IA to learn how our professionals will install a gorgeous, long-lasting wood floor in your home. We serve customers in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines, IA, Ames, IA, Waukee, IA, Bondurant, IA, West Des Moines, IA, Clive, IA, Johnston, IA, Altoona, IA and Grimes, IA.
Hardwood flooring adds value to a property; in fact, real estate agents around the country tell us that potential buyers will often pay more for a house with these floors, whether solid or engineered. Come into the Floors 4 Iowa showroom in Ankeny, IA to learn how our professionals will install a gorgeous, long-lasting wood floor in your home. We serve customers in Ankeny, IA, Des Moines, IA, Ames, IA, Waukee, IA, Bondurant, IA, West Des Moines, IA, Clive, IA, Johnston, IA, Altoona, IA and Grimes, IA.
