Choosing the Right Hardwood Floor - Things to Know by prospecllcny

Choosing the Right Hardwood Floor Things to Know

Wondering how to choose the right flooring material for your new shop? The choice of flooring is one of the basic, yet important decisions you need to take while planning to build a new building or renovate an old one. While there are several options, ranging from carpet to terrazzo, one material that is the acknowledged standard is hardwood. Hardwood floors are durable, comfortable and surprisingly affordable and nothing can really compare to the attractiveness and warmth they bring to every room in a building. Providers of wood flooring and installation services based in New York, can help choose the option that best suits your commercial building style and budget. While there are many choices available, not every type of wood flooring is suitable for every application. If you are shopping for a wood floor, here are some important things to keep in mind • Types of hardwood floor – There are two main types of hardwood– solid hardwood and engineered wood. Both these types have their merits and demerits depending on location of the space and how much foot traffic your hardwood floor will be subject to. Solid hardwood is porous; it can expand and warp over time, especially in humid areas. As the dents and scratches can be easily sanded out, there are no limitations to the number of times you can refinish your floors. A versatile choice, engineered wood flooring installation is perfect for damp areas like basements and

laundry rooms. While both types offer the same beauty of real hardwood, the primary difference between solid hardwood and engineered flooring is in the floor’s composition. • Choice of wood species - Another important thing to consider is how your lifestyle will impact your flooring. There are different types of woods suitable for different spaces; some are harder and therefore more durable. Dayto-day wear and tear is what concerns most people when shopping for a wood floor. Top choices for different types of wood species include – Hickory, Maple, Red Oak, White Oak, Ash, Birch, Black Walnut and Cherry. Each species of wood has its own unique qualities, strengths, and weaknesses. For instance, Red Oak and White Oak are the most common domestic wood floors; Hickory, Maple (harder than oak) and Walnut (softer) are also popular choices. Durability, style, and cost are the three main factors to consider when choosing the best wood species. Durability is especially important as constant repairs can ruin both your style and your budget. The harder the wood, the better it will be for wear and installation in high-traffic areas of the building. • Color and style – As wood flooring comes in different colors and styles, it is important to select a floor to match the room décor. The color of the floor has a strong impact on how the room is perceived. A dark floor absorbs a lot of light, but it also creates a sense of warmth and coziness. A light

wood floor on the other hand reflects the light and adds more space to the room. For instance, if you have a small office space, you can consider a lighter stain such as blonde or even white wash .If you prefer a more classic look, dark floors can be a good option. However, they are hard to keep clean, and are best for highlighting scratches. • Type of finish – The type of finish is a prominent factor that determines the overall appearance of a wood floor. Flooring is sold either “unfinished” or “pre-finished.” Unfinished floors are sanded and finished on-site. This provides a consistent seal and prevents dirt and moisture from penetrating the seams between boards. Pre-finished flooring is factory-applied in a controlled setting, and typically receives seven to eight coats of sealant. Finish options include glossy, matte and satin. If you like a little gleam on your floors (without the roller rink glare), satin could be the best finish. On the other hand, if you want an even subtler, natural finish, matte would be ideal. This finish gives hardwood floors a fresh, natural look, and adds a clean and contemporary quality to any room. In addition, matte floors show the least amount of dirt and dust. • Texture – Now that you have selected your wood color, style and finish – the next option would be to choose a hardwood floor texture. When it comes to hardwood texture, there are four primary options – smooth wood, handscraped, wire-brushed, and distressed wood. Smooth wood

and wire-brushed are subtle and smooth options which leave even fine scratches in the wood for a more natural look. Hand-scraped wood leaves each board with different ridges. Distressed wood, on the other hand, has the most character as the planks’ knots, scrapes, and wormholes are made more prominent. • Grain pattern – There is no good or bad pattern when it comes to wood grain. Generally, logs are cut in three different ways - plain-sawn, rift-sawn, and quarter-sawn which yield three different grain patterns. Plain-sawn produces traditional wood grain, with undulating patterns (known as cathedrals). Rift-sawn board on the other hand, features long, linear, consistent grains, without cathedrals. Quarter-sawn boards look similar to rift, but have additional irregular figuring “with sparkling”, 3D similar rays that strike out across the plank. In most cases, hardwood flooring is offered as plain-sawn, or as rift- and quarter-sawn mixed together. • Determine plank width– Usage of wider planks is quite common now. In most cases, a four- to six-inch plank is the standard specification, depending on the size of the room and the type of application. The more expansive the room, the wider plank need to be chosen. However, wider planks are more expensive. A floor composed of wide planks will have fewer seams than a floor of thin strips. However, it is important to understand that those seams may eventually

become more prominent as the wood expands and contracts. As changes in the wood may not be distributed across as many boards, the movement may appear exaggerated.

• Extent of natural day light – The amount of day light in the room is an important factor to consider when choosing hardwood floors. Natural daylight and the colors of your walls may either ruin or enhance the appearance of your hardwood floor. For instance, if you want to install the hardwood floor in a room with plenty of natural light, dark floors provide a better contrast. On the other hand, if the room has a minimal amount of natural light, you should select a light-colored hardwood floor. • Direction of floor installation – The amount of natural light, the size of windows and the direction of lighting - all these factors may affect the perception of the floor. Installing your floor lengthwise (towards the window) will accentuate the shape of the room. If the room is long and narrow with windows placed lengthwise, you will have to choose what you feel is more important to accentuate – the shape or light. If you are planning to install new floors in your commercial space, make sure to choose floors that not only match your building style, but are also optimal for each space. With the variety of colors, textures, patterns and finishes available today, hardwood flooring could be a good choice. Wood

flooring and installation will be properly done if you rely on the services of an established flooring distributor in New York. With an established dealer, you can select the best wood floors suiting your specific needs and budget. In addition, such dealers will also offer proper maintenance that will help your wood floor retain its beauty and durability for years to come.