Category: Hardwood Floor Services

The Benefits of Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood Flooring

Precision Hardwood Flooring LLC brings the natural components of the outdoors inside, transforming a home into a nurturing and calming space for family life. The many benefits of hardwood flooring are undeniable.Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is a popular choice for homeowners and is a great feature that can increase your home’s value. Its longevity and durability also make it a wise investment.

Hardwood floors are a great eco-friendly choice for homeowners that care about the environment. They are made from natural materials that are renewable, and they can be recycled when they need to be replaced. This helps to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. Wood flooring also helps to improve indoor air quality by reducing the release of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and by preventing moisture build-up which can cause mildew and mould.

As a flooring option, hardwood floors are not only environmentally friendly but they can also add to the resale value of your home. In addition, they are an excellent insulator and can help to keep your home’s energy bills low. They also tend to sound more muffled than other types of floor coverings, which helps to reduce the noise produced by family members and pets walking around the house.

When selecting your wood floors, look for options that are sourced from sustainable forests certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. This certification ensures that the wood has been harvested in a way that does not harm the ecosystem, and that the trees will be replaced. Oak is a popular hardwood flooring material, and it has one of the highest Janka ratings among common US hardwoods. Oak has a larger growing stock than other wood species, and it is harvested using selective cutting techniques which protect the environment.

Other popular species of wood flooring include hickory, cherry, maple, and walnut. These woods have mid-level Janka ratings, and they are considered softer than oak. However, they are still more durable than pine or fir, and they can be used in areas where children and pets play.

It’s Durable

Hardwood floors are built to last for generations, and they can add a timeless style to any home. With proper care, they’ll resist the ravages of everyday life and look great for years to come. Wood flooring is a major design element in a living space, and you’ll want to consider the color, grain pattern, and style that best complement your design vision. But it’s also important to consider durability, as you’ll save money in the long run by minimizing repairs and replacement costs.

When choosing wood floors, it’s crucial to understand that different species have varying levels of hardness and durability. Harder woods like oak, hickory, and maple can withstand heavier foot traffic, while softer woods such as pine may show scratches more readily. The Janka hardness rating is an excellent tool to use when selecting a hardwood floor, and it will help you find the best floor for your lifestyle.

Another consideration when choosing hardwood flooring is whether you want solid or engineered hardwood. Solid hardwoods are solid pieces of wood, while engineered hardwood is a combination of layers of wood and plywood that have been fused together in a manufacturing process. Engineered wood is more resistant to moisture than solid hardwood, so it can be installed in areas of the house that would otherwise be impossible for solid hardwood to survive.

Both solid and engineered hardwood can stand up to almost anything you can throw at them, but the best way to minimize damage is with preventive maintenance. Sweep frequently to remove grit and dirt from the surface, and place doormats at every entryway to trap abrasive debris before it wears into the finish. Limit exposure to sunlight, which can fade and yellow the floors, by using window treatments or rugs in high-traffic areas.

It’s Affordable

Hardwood floors are a desirable feature for home buyers and can help sell your home faster. Wood floors can increase your home’s resale value by a significant amount and are one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make to your house.

Unlike other types of flooring, hardwood is durable and can withstand heavy foot traffic. It also offers a timeless aesthetic that can last a lifetime with proper care. You can prevent damage to your wood floors by choosing furniture with wide, sturdy legs and using window treatments to protect your floor from direct sunlight. You can also keep your wood floors looking new by having them refinished when necessary.

When selecting your wood, consider factors such as color, brightness, and character. A flooring expert can recommend strong materials that match your home’s style and fit your lifestyle. You can choose from a variety of domestic and exotic hardwood species, such as oak, maple, hickory, and pecan.

The overall cost of your project will depend on the type of hardwood and installation method you choose. Typically, the price of solid hardwood is less expensive than that of engineered wood. Engineered hardwood uses a plywood base with a layer of real wood on top to offer durability and resistance to moisture, temperature fluctuations, and other environmental stressors.

Another option for those who want the look of hardwood floors without the investment is reclaimed wood. This type of wood is sourced from salvaged barns and warehouses. It’s often cheaper than purchasing new hardwood and is environmentally friendly, since it uses recycled materials. It can be a great way to add a touch of history and character to your home’s interior.

It’s Versatile

Hardwood floors work well in any type of home. They’re timeless and add character to living spaces, while also raising a property’s value. They pair well with a variety of styles and colors, and you can even use unique installation techniques to create a distinctive look.

Wood flooring comes in solid and engineered options, each with its own set of benefits. Solid hardwood features genuine planks crafted from single pieces of lumber, meaning each board is one-of-a-kind. This floor style is typically more expensive but has a long lifespan, allowing you to refinish it up to seven times.

Engineered hardwood is a more affordable option that offers the same design benefits as solid. However, this material is manufactured in layers, ranging from three to seven plies with a hardwood veneer layer on top. This construction helps reduce the boards’ natural tendency to expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes, making it more durable and suitable for high-traffic areas in your home.

The color of your hardwood floors can make a big difference in the look and feel of your home. You can opt for light hues that showcase the natural grain or rich, dark stains that create a statement. There’s also the option to go with a hand-scraped finish, which can give your home a more worn and rustic appeal.

No matter your preferences, you’re sure to find the perfect hardwood for your space. It’s a beautiful and sustainable choice that will bring years of enjoyment to your family’s living spaces. With proper maintenance, including routine cleaning and occasional refinishing, this flooring will last for decades. Contact Parterre to learn more about the hardwood products we carry and how they can enhance your home’s beauty and function.

It’s Easy to Maintain

Hardwood floors are among the easiest to keep clean. Regular sweeping and dust mopping are all that is needed to keep them hygienic. This is far less work than maintaining carpet, which requires vacuuming frequently with a beater bar or brush attachment (and that could potentially cause scratches).

The best way to prevent scuffs and scratches on your hardwood is to sweep often enough to keep dirt from grinding into the finish. Using a soft, dry mop is also important to maintain the surface’s luster. A wood-specific vacuum cleaner with a special hard floor mode will also help avoid scratching the flooring surface.

Sweeping is especially important in areas that experience a lot of traffic, such as entryways or hallways. Consider placing a rug at the entrance to catch dirt and other debris, as well. Also, try to avoid water, oil-soap detergents and other liquid cleaning products on hardwoods; they can cause swelling, warping and delamination, and can void your manufacturer’s warranty.

With proper care, hardwood floors can last a lifetime and provide an elegant, timeless look that will enhance any home. They’re the perfect option for homes with allergies and asthma, as they’re much easier to clean than carpet and can reduce dust mites, which thrive in fabrics and can cause irritation and a host of health problems. Hardwood floors are also a great option for busy families, as they can accommodate more activities than other types of flooring.