When it comes to wood floors, one thing is certain: You have options. Whether you want a classic or modern look, whether you have a small budget or an unlimited one, theres certainly something out there for you. The downside? All that variety can make decision-making feel pretty overwhelming.
We consulted with the experts to help you understand all your optionsit comes down to three main types of wood flooringand hopefully, choose one youre happy with for years to come.
Everlasting in Miton A Proximity Mills Hardwood
(Courtesy of FlooringStores)
Hardwood
Hardwoodis a great option if you live in ahistoric propertyand are concerned about maintaining an authentic look.
Cost: Hardwood is the most likely toadd value to your home, but its also the mostexpensive choice. In addition to clocking in at around $10-15 per square foot, according to interior designer Sarah Walker, CEO ofNuance Interior Design Showroom, its difficult (read: pricey) to install. Youll definitely need to call a pro, says Todd Saunders, CEO ofFlooringStore.
Durability: Hardwood is known for its durability, but it really depends on what type of wood you choose. Harder woods, like hickory, oak, or maple, usually hold up better to traffic, while softer woods like yellow birch, pine, or fir are more likely to get scratched and dented.
Care: If you opt for wood flooring, youll definitely want to take the right steps to protect your wood. First and foremost, be aware that moisture is woods worst enemy. Excessive moisture will cause warping, rotting, and even mold to form on wood, says Jay Sanders, owner ofCastle Dream Construction, a renovation and waterproofing company. Rather than using a soapy mop on your wood, he recommends using a dedicated wood cleaner or an oil-based soap. And, he adds,neveruse vinegar on your wood if youre concerned about its longevity; over time, it will wear down your wood flooring and cause it to look patchy.
Driftwood Home in Natural Oak Proximity Mills Engineered Wood
(Courtesy of FlooringStores)
Engineered wood
Engineered woodis easily mistaken for hardwood (in a good way). Even though there is only a thin layer of the finished material over a core of plywood, it looks the same once its installed, according to Brooklyn-based renovators and restorers, Jordan Slocum and Barry Bordelon, aka theBrownstone Boys. And, compared to hardwood, which tends to want to move around as it expands and contracts in different temperatures and humidity, engineered flooring is less likely to shift.
Cost: Because engineered wood contains both real hardwood and engineered materials., its typically less expensive per square footand youll probably save on installation costs, too. Their interlocking design is simple for the average person to install, says Saunders.
Durability: The biggest disadvantage of engineered wood is that you can only sand and refinish it once or twice in its lifetime, Slocum and Bordelon say. On the other hand, because most people very rarely sand their floors, maybe once every 10 years (if that), your engineered floors will last a very long time.
Care: Like with hardwood, you could experience warping if you use water to clean or dont promptly clean up spills on engineered wood planks, especially with narrow wood boards.
Suwannee River in Moulton Barn Luxury Vinyl Plank
(Courtesy of FlooringStores)
Luxury vinyl planking
Like engineered wood, you can count on consistent results when it comes to wood grain and coloring with luxury vinyl planking. If you live in a humid place or own a waterfront property, luxury vinyl planking may be a better option than real wood products that dont do well with moisture or high traffic. LVP can also be apractical choice forkids play areasor beach houses where spills and sand may be frequent occurrences, Walker adds.
Cost: Luxury vinyl planking, or LVP, contains no real wood, so its usually the least expensive choice: Walker says LVP can cost anywhere from $5-7 per square foot, and its relatively easy to install yourself without the help of a pricey professional.
Durability: Its durable, but not as hard as real wood, so vinyl may not stand the test of time.
Care: You dont have to worry about cleaning products, since LVP is far less likely to warp with moisture exposure.
When you are ready to buy or sell your next home, please call me, Marie McLaughlin 727-858-7569.
Source:https://www.realtor.com/living/design-diy/types-of-hardwood-flooring-lvp-engineered-wood/
