You’ve been considering this for a while, but you think it’s time for you to rip out your carpets and buy wood flooring. You’re tired of your carpets gathering odors and you own pets. Enough said.
We will tell you that putting in hardwood isn’t for the faint of heart. You’ll need to think about what species of wood you want to go with. There are a lot of them out there that all have their own unique texture and color.
We’ve got a wood flooring buying guide that will help you choose the right option for your home. Keep reading to learn more.
Wood Species
When buying wood flooring, the first thing to think about is what species you want. You can pick something domestic like oak or maple. There are also more exotic woods such as IPE.
No matter what option you choose, one thing is true. They’re all different in terms of hardness, grain, and durability. You’ll want to put the best material in areas of your home that see the most foot traffic.
For rooms that see less action such as your bedroom, you can pick a softer wood.
Brand Names
We reccomend that you have a look at brand names when you’re shopping around. It will be more expensive, but you know that these companies will provide the best quality. The customer service can’t be beat either.
If you want to see the woods they have to offer up close and personal, you can visit a few showrooms. There, you’ll be able to ask the salesperson all your burning questions about their products.
Pre-Finished or Unfinished
When you purchase pre-finished wood, you’ll be able to walk on your floors the same day you have them installed. Since most of the work is taken out of the installation process, it goes by pretty fast.
Pre-finished floors that come straight from the factory are also flawless in appearance, but they do put off hazardous VOC vapors that aren’t great for your health.
If you want to avoid that and have more finishes to choose from, you may want to pick unfinished wood. The installation process is a bit longer, but you won’t be breathing in any toxic chemicals.
Warranty
This goes back to our point about getting wood flooring from a brand-name store. Nine times out of ten, their products have a nice warranty attached.
This way, if something happens to your floors, you can have the damage repaired without paying a penny out of your own pocket.
Things to Think About Before You Buy Wood Flooring
Do you still want to buy wood flooring? It’s a great option that won’t trap in odors, but as you can see, there’s a lot that you’ll have to consider.
We hope that you’re able to use this guide to find the right material for your home. For more tips that will help you make the right upgrades to your property, visit the Lifestyle section of our blog.