Three Great Reasons To Install Hardwood Flooring
Have you envisioned having hardwood flooring in your home? At Santa Cruz Landmark Construction, we have installed a number of beauties, and have three great reasons for homeowners to go for it!
Investment
As an investment, installation of hardwood flooring is one of the best ways to customize your home. According to the 2017 Remodeling Impact Report, homeowners on average yield a 91% ROI, and their timeless beauty and durability may be enjoyed for generations.
A Better Flooring for Allergy Sufferers
Over 50% of the population suffers from some form of allergy, and carpeting is one of the largest sources of housing allergens, such as dust mites, mold, and mildew. Hardwood flooring provides an easy surface to clean and remove dust mites, and with the removal of absorbing materials such as carpeting and carpet padding, there are fewer surfaces for mold and mildew to form on.
Joy!
Installing hardwood flooring gives homeowners a sense of accomplishment through upgrading and customizing their home. According to the 2017 Remodeling Impact Report, 80% of homeowners have a greater desire to be at home once installing hardwood floors!
A Deeper Dive
When it comes time to select your next hardwood flooring, there are several factors to consider, from the aesthetics and durability of the wood, to location and application of the flooring.
Aesthetics- The fun stuff. Hardwood flooring suppliers provide samples to make the decision easier. When determining the species of wood, consider the color and graining of the wood. A flooring with a tight, closed grain pattern can look modern and higher end, whereas a flooring with strong grain patterns give off a more casual appearance. If installing hardwood in your kitchen or bath, hold the sample up to your cabinets. Both color and grain pattern should be complimentary for a good pairing. Once you have the aesthetics narrowed down, you will want to consider the durability of the wood.
Durability- There are varying degrees of durability of wood flooring; the rating for durability is based up Domestic Red Oak. Considered both strong and resilient by industry leaders, Red Oak holds a rating of 1290, with Yellow Pine and Douglas Fir rating down in the 600's. While some people appreciate the worn look effect that softer woods take on, there are others who prefer wood types less prone to show wear, for whom we recommend looking into Exotic Hardwood Flooring. The difference between Domestic, or produced in North America, and Exotic is substantial. For example, Domestic Cherry Flooring has a hardness rating of 950, whereas Brazilian Cherry has a hardness rating of 2350. When comparing Domestic with Exotics, you will also see a difference in the graining.
Solid Hardwood vs. Engineered- The image at the top of the article is of Solid Brazilian Cherry Flooring. As a solid hardwood flooring, it is either nailed or glued down over a solid surface. Hardwood flooring such as this one, can be refinished multiple times, however it is more susceptible to expansion and shrinkage from humidity.
Engineered Flooring, such as this Engineered Pecan floor, is manufactured with several layers of wood, with a thin layer of the finish wood. This product is lighter weight than its Solid Wood counterpart, and can be glued, nailed, or floated in installation. Engineered Flooring performs better with expansion/shrinkage concerns, and is a good flooring choice for basements, and in kitchens and baths.
Keeping it Green
For a sustainably harvest flooring option, consider Bamboo flooring, which comes in both Solid and Engineered forms. This beautiful flooring is a lower cost option than many hardwood flooring types on the market.
Before taking the plunge and ordering up your flooring, contact Santa Cruz Landmark Construction to ensure that you are happy with your end result. Contact mollytragni@gmail.com For more of what we do, visit us on Facebook.
