How to pick the right wood floors for your home!
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Building a new home or looking to update your current home with a remodel? Wood floors can be an easy update or a great way to add warmth and character to a home. However, it can get overwhelming with the latest trends, the types of wood, and the type of flooring to choose. Have no fear, the guide is here! From the April 2013 Realtor website article When It Comes to Wood Floors, Choose Wisely By Barbara Ballinger, the author outlined the key categories every home owner should consider when choosing wood floors!
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Solid Plank
This is what some refer to as “real” wood. It is usually from three-eighths to three-quarters of an inch in total thickness to permit refinishing and sanding. Thicker floors have a bigger wear layer to allow for more frequent refinishing and sanding. This is a great choice if you are looking for something to withstand decades of use. It also can be stained, come from different species of tree, and be sold in numerous widths and lengths:
Width and length: Lots of designers and professionals prefer solid wood floors because of its rich, warm look. The current trends in width is a wider look, typically 5 to 6 inches now but even beyond 10 inches. Longer lengths are desired as well. However, it is important to keep width and length in proportion. These oversized dimensions reflect the same trend toward bigger stone and ceramic slabs. The downside is greater cost.
Palette: Some of the current color trends tend to be darker hues among clients in the northeastern United States, while those in the South and West still gravitate toward lighter colors. However, grays and white washes have become increasingly popular. Handscraped, antique boards that look aged and have texture, sometimes beveled edges, are also become more popular, even in modern interiors, though they may cost much more. The beauty of wood flooring is its versatility and ability to be refinished and stained to change with the trends.
Species and price: Depending on the preference of the stain color, professionals recommend pine, oak, mahogany, hickory, and walnut boards. Oak is a top choice because of the ease of staining it and a relatively low price point.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood has become increasingly popular as wood accent walls and glue down applications have become popular. The flooring gets its name because the top layer or veneer is glued to plywood beneath. This helps to reduce expansion and contraction that happens with solid boards due to climatic effects. Top of the line engineered flooring from companies like Albany Woodworks give homeowners a sustainable product with a thicker wear surface to allow for refinishing. Engineered floors can be perfect for replacing carpet because it can be a glue down application. In most instances, the thickness of the old carpet is similar to the flooring so door and molding heights do not need to be changed.
Reclaimed Wood
Typically defined as salvaged or recycled wood — perhaps from an old barn or factory. Reclaimed wood has gained fans because of its aged, patina and sustainability. Though less plentiful and more costly because of the time required to locate and prepare, it offers a solid surface underfoot since it’s from old-growth trees.
For the full article, click here. To find out more about Albany Woodworks’ engineered flooring and reclaimed flooring, click here.