Taking The Guess Work Out Of Choosing Hardwood Floors
Choosing a flooring solution for your home can seem overwhelming with the many options currently on the market. Consider the type of wear your floors endure – whether you have kids, pets or a busy lifestyle will make a difference in what kind of flooring you should choose.
Determining whether to go with solid wood or engineered wood depends a great deal on your budget and the level of upkeep you are willing to invest in.
Solid Hardwood is typically 1.9cm thick (3/4”) and often favoured for being “traditional” wood flooring. We think of solid hardwood as being easier to sand and refinish with many different types of woods and grains available. The most common wood used in new homes in Canada is Northern Red Oak as it has a natural colour variation with more open grain patterns. It has a medium “hardness” rating and is suitable for most families. Hard Maple is also very popular in Canada with a slightly higher hardness rating than Northern Red Oak. It has a cleaner look with a smooth finish and much less grain variation than other woods. Hickory is ideal for busy families with a lot of floor traffic. It is a much harder wood and has a less grainy appearance. It can easily be stained any shade because of its natural white, creamy colour. White Ash is the most popular of the Ash tree species because it grows quickly, adapts to almost any conditions and is low maintenance. While it is not as hard as oak, it is more stable, and the grain in Ash is similar in that it hides natural imperfections well.
Distressed woods are also very popular, especially wire-brushed and Hickory, which is an excellent choice for their look and durability. For active families with pets and high traffic, a wire-brushed finish gives the wood boards texture while effectively hiding scratches. Pre-finished floors are usually a better option because they are stained and sealed by the manufacturer before installation.
While there are many other types of solid hardwood options available on the market, there is one thing they all have in common – they are more susceptible to changes in humidity. Solid hardwood responds to moisture as it would in nature – if the air is hot and humid, the floor will take on moisture causing it to swell. When the air dries out, so will the wood, causing it to gap. If you choose to go with traditional solid hardwood, you will need to maintain a consistent level of humidity in your home and maintain your floors on a regular basis. Ask your wood dealer which products to use for cleaning to keep your floors in excellent condition.
Engineered Hardwood is made of layers of wood which are bonded together with adhesives under intense heat and pressure. This process ensures the floors are not as affected by humidity fluctuations typical of the Canadian climate. A common misconception is that engineered hardwood cannot be sanded and refinished, but this is not true. Many engineered floors can be refinished at least once, and more often if you purchase a higher end variant. If you prefer wider wood boards, choose engineered hardwood as it is more stable than solid wood. Most experts advise not going with wider than 11.43cm (4 ¼ inches) in a solid hardwood as it will be more prone to cupping and gapping.
Unlike solid hardwood, an engineered floor requires little maintenance and is much less affected by temperature and moisture changes, which in turn makes it more resistant to warping and cupping.
Irrespective of which option you choose, your wood floors are meant to last for many years and are a considerable investment to make in your home. Before investing in any wood flooring, consult with experts in the industry and do
your research.