A hardwood floor is not just a narrow plank of solid oak in a light tan. There is a range of hardwood floor options to meet your needs. These come in various colors, performance, wood species, and budget. This allows selecting the ideal hardwood flooring to match your needs. This article is prepared to give you insight on how to choose the ultimate hardwood flooring for your home. Here are a few considerations.

1. Wood species

Hardwood flooring comes in various types of wood. The options include Maple, Hickory, Oak, and Acacia each with unique features and performance attributes. You have to prioritize visual preference, budget requirements, and lifestyle when selecting the right hardwood flooring. Engineered wood floors are made with various wood species backed by high-performance finishes. Understanding your needs ensures that you select the hardwood flooring to match your requirements.

2. Installation area

It is very important to consider the target installation area when selecting a hardwood floor. Each type of floor has different Janka hardness rating. Higher traffic areas including the hallway and family room need a hardwood floor with higher hardness rating. Exotic wood species have higher Janka ratings but lack sustainability, come at a higher price, and prone to fading over time. A professional installer offers guidance on bountiful hardwood species that hold well under heavy traffic.

Enlist professional hardwood flooring installation services for guidance on the right hardwood species for your particular area. A kitchen requires engineered hardwood for a distressed finish that masks surface wear, scratches, and scuffs. Additionally, the floor should be easy to clean, hide dirt and dust compared to floors with a soft finish. Bedroom floors need Oak hardwood floors with a whitewashed finish. This creates a light and airy open feel for a perfect environment for slumber.

3. Pets

Keeping pets is a wonderful thing. However, you have to include them whenever you are making changes in your home. When selecting a hardwood floor, choose one with character marks and knots that hides dents and scratches from pets. The ideal hardwood floor when having pets should come in a rustic style to keep looking new longer. Check the Janka scale rating when selecting the ideal floor that will last longer.

4. Decor style

Hardwood floors work in various decors. The flooring comes in various colors, styles, and plank widths to select one defining your personal style. A hardwood floor in light and dark neutral color offers a perfect design base to fit a modern decor. Reclaimed Oak in wide planks in golden browns is the ideal enhancement for a rustic decor. For added warmth and character, a rustic hardwood floor comes with wormholes, knots, splits, and checks.

Hickory flooring is ideal for a traditional decor setting. This comes with an elegant matte finish with wider planks. For a coastal decor, opt for Maple hardwood with dark streaks to enhance the nautical theme. Opt for reactive hardwood with wider planks for balancing seaworthy blues, greens, and light colored furniture.

5. Health concerns

Considering the type of hardwood species is very important when selecting flooring for your home when you have health complications. Engineered floors are ideal for people with allergies and asthma. This floor doesn’t harbor microorganisms, allergens, and harmful pesticides introduced from outdoors. Additionally, this flooring minimizes the presence of mold, dust, and pet dander to enhance indoor air quality.

Some tips to protect your hardwood flooring:

1. Leave dirt and dust outside

Consider encouraging leaving first and dust elements outside to prevent them from getting on your hardwood floor. Place a mat outside to ensure that nothing damages your hardwood floor finish that might be accidentally or tracked inside. Invest in a nice mat to become part of your decor. However, avoid mats with a foam or rubber back. These trap moisture that might discolor your floor.

2. Removing shoes

A floor mat limits dirt and moisture from ending up on your hardwood flooring. However, there is still a possibility of residue remaining on footwear. Heeled shoes and boots might dent, ding, or scrape your hardwood flooring. To avoid this, ask family member and guests to leave their footwear at the door. Place a boot tray to promote organization while protecting your hardwood flooring.

3. Carry things with caution

When handling things cautiously to avoid heavy items from falling on your hardwood floor. This might make the floor to get scratches ad dents compromising the aesthetic appeal of your floor. Get someone to help you move sofas or heavy furniture and other home appliances. Pulling them might make the floor to get scratched in the process. Additionally, ensure that all furniture comes with soft padding to limit the chances of scratches on the floor.

Bottom line

A hardwood floor is a perfect addition to your home. This gives your space an elegant appeal to enhance the property value. However, you have to understand the best hardwood flooring for your space and how to make the floor last longer.