When you embark on a remodel, you are faced with many questions. How should this new space look? How can the design of this room add value to my home?
As you move through the planning process, one of those questions will inevitably be, “What flooring should I choose?”. If you settle on as your choice, there are a few wood characteristics that you will need to keep in mind.
Continue reading to learn how to choose hardwood flooring for your next remodel. For more information, be sure to contact Visionary Cabinetry & Design and we would be happy to help you transform your space.
Wood Species
The type of wood species you choose will affect the durability, color, and grain patterns in your new floors. Wood floor installation is an investment in your home, which is why it’s important to research what wood species would best complement your interior design. Our trusted designers can help you find the right hardwood.
Finish
Do you prefer sleek hardwood floors or something more rustic? Either way, hardwood floors come in a variety of finishes to match your design preferences and lifestyle. For example, you may want to consider distressed wood flooring if you have a busy household with high foot traffic.
Rustic hardwood flooring is also great for disguising scratches from pet claws or wheelchair and walker use. Highly , on the other hand, make your home look elegant and sophisticated.
Color
Wood species used for hardwood floors come in a range of colors to complement your home’s surroundings. For example, dark hardwood floors can help make a mudroom feel even cozier.
Likewise, white wood flooring helps your home feel more spacious and airy. Light hardwood floors are also able to disguise dirt better than their dark counterparts.
The color of hardwood you pick will also affect the level of maintenance needed to keep your flooring looking nice. For example, black wood flooring is more likely to show dust and dirt.
While black hardwood flooring can give your home a touch of luxury, many of the homeowners we work with decide to install dark wood floors that are just a shade or two lighter.
Grain Pattern
Another important factor to consider when choosing the perfect wood flooring for your home is the grain pattern. Depending on how the wood was cut and the particular wood species, wood grain patterns can differ.
There are 3 primary grain patterns and those are curly, straight, and flat grain. Think about the look you’re going for in your home when making a selection.
Pet Friendliness
Looking for wood floors that won’t scratch from your pet’s claws? You may want to consider red oak hardwood flooring. Red oak flooring is able to resist scratching better than other tree species (like pine), which makes it an attractive choice for pet owners.
Also keep in mind that scratches in can be sanded out and refinished as needed.
Solid vs. Engineered Hardwood
The difference between solid and engineered hardwood flooring lies in its construction. Like the name suggests, solid wood flooring is made from solid planks of wood.
The planks that make up engineered wood flooring, on the other hand, are made out of several layers. Inside these planks, plywood is sandwiched between natural wood.
While many of the homeowners we work with prefer solid hardwood flooring, engineered flooring is also able to add value to your home while being less susceptible to humidity.
Let’s Get Started
Our interior designers and hardwood floor installers at Visionary Cabinetry & Design work hard to make sure you are satisfied with your natural wood flooring. For help finding the best hardwood floors for your remodel, be sure to call our Oakland County design firm at (248) 850-7178.
This blog post has been updated.