Hardwood flooring is any material made of wood that’s intended for use as interior flooring, both decorative and structural. This type of floor covering has been used for centuries for its aesthetic and functional qualities. Wood is an increasingly popular choice as a floor covering material and can now come in a variety of different styles, sizes, types, and cuts.
One of the most obvious benefits of choosing hardwood flooring is its durability. Wood floors are known for their strength and durability, especially where high traffic is concerned. While more expensive than alternative floor coverings, like carpeting or tiles, it’s definitely more durable. You don’t have to worry about your floor scratching, cracking, buckling, or sagging if you use hardwood. It’s a much more durable floor covering and therefore can last much longer than alternative floor coverings.
It’s also a durable floor covering because hardwood flooring is able to withstand moisture, which makes it a long lasting solution if you have high levels of humidity or water-based stains. If you have to frequently clean your hardwood flooring or have pets or young children, the laminate is not the ideal solution. Laminate is susceptible to scratches, dents, and stains, especially in higher levels of moisture. If you have these concerns, you might want to consider another type of floor covering or consider installing an engineered laminate underlayment that will help you to avoid any damage.
Another major benefit of hardwood is the aesthetic value. Most homes with hardwood floors have great appeal due to their natural beauty and appeal. When you combine this with the durability, appeal, and long lifespan of hardwood, it’s easy to see why so many homeowners and builders prefer them. It’s easy to install hardwood floors, and they can also be installed over existing floors and hardwood floors with no problems at all. For all these reasons, there are very few disadvantages to installing hardwood.
So what do you need to know about durable hardwood floors? First, you must know that hardwood flooring comes in two forms: solid hardwood and engineered flooring. Solid hardwood comes from real wood, whereas engineered flooring comes from composite materials that imitate the look of real wood but are actually lighter and less dense than real wood. This makes engineered flooring much more durable and resistant to impact compared to solid hardwood flooring. Engineered hardwood flooring can also be used for applications that require a low degree of stability, such as light wall panels and furniture.
In addition, you need to know that durable hardwood flooring has different levels of lamination. Although the name says it is laminated, many laminate types are not durable enough to be used as actual hardwood. Laminate is typically low-density and doesn’t have the same strength or durability as solid hardwood does. If you want durable laminate flooring, you need to purchase real hardwood that has been laminated using a high-grade composite material that mimics the look of real wood.
When you are shopping for hardwood flooring, you also need to know how much of each type of wood is required in the framing and installation. Solid hardwood floors require at least ten percent solid hardwood, whereas engineered hardwood floors require as little as two percent. It is also possible to install an entire hardwood floor with engineered hardwood, although it may increase the cost. Keep in mind that a thicker hardwood floor will cost more than a thin one.
Finally, you should consider your climate when you choose hardwood flooring. For climates that tend to be hot in the summer and cold in the winter, the warm-weather hardwoods work best. In the winter, cold-weather woods work best to provide insulation against heat loss. You also need to think about the wear and tear that the floors will experience. A higher density wood floor needs more maintenance and therefore may end up costing you more in the long run.