Hardwood floors require specialized care to stay beautiful year after year. Even so, wooden floors are still in high demand. If you’re about to choose hardwood flooring for your new home or renovation, how do you know which one to choose? Deciding what to buy can be confusing. Here is a quick guide to choosing your wooden floor.
By the way, the perception that hardwood floors are expensive to buy and install is no longer true. The range of options includes a high-quality laminate that can be purchased and installed for less than $3 per square foot. The four most popular hardwood flooring installations are field-finished solid, pre-finished solid, engineered, and laminate. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of each type of flooring.
- Solid wood finished on site. This floor is installed first and then stain and finish is applied. Advantages include lower cost, a wide variety of wood species (including bamboo), and various thickness options. Disadvantages include installation variability (difficult installation, moisture content may not be controlled), not recommended for basements (moisture variability), and generally a less durable finish. One plus: This floor can be restored multiple times and has a wonderful sound and feel underfoot.
- Solid prefinished wood. This floor is finished at the factory, and once it is placed in your home, no further steps are required to finish the surface. Advantages include durability and generally longer time before refinishing, and what you see is what you get. Disadvantages include 35% higher cost per square foot and not a good choice for basements due to changes in humidity that can cause warping and cupping (similar to finishing in place). This floor, like the finished site, has great sound and feel underfoot. And just like the finished site, it also requires an expert installation to avoid problems later.
- Engineered wood. This flooring choice is made with real wood veneer glued to a substrate. It is difficult to differentiate this product from solid wood. Advantages include easier installation, resistance to moisture problems (can work well in the basement), and lower cost per square foot. Disadvantages include not being able to resurface multiple times and showing faster wear than solids.
- Plastic sheet. Laminate wood flooring products have come a long way in the last 15 years. The product is manufactured by installing a realistic printed photo of the desired wood onto a substrate and then placing a durable plastic finish over the top. Some laminates are hard to tell from the real thing. Advantages include low cost, easy installation (nice DIY project), and durability. Disadvantages include not being able to refinish and a less substantial feel underfoot.
Regardless of the type you choose, choose an installer carefully. Subfloors must be properly prepared to install wood or laminate. The product must be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If you like to do it yourself, you may decide to install the flooring yourself. Consult a buyer’s guide, such as Consumer Reports, to find the top-rated brands in each category.
Hardwood floors are now popular in every room in the house, even the kitchen. Adding warmth, beauty, and value, you should get dozens of years of service out of your new hardwood floor.
