Don't Overlook These Factors When Choosing Timber Floors For Your Home
Timber floors can instantly give a home an updated and stylish look, and these floors are usually more durable and more hygienic than carpeting; they also work well with any decor, from modern to very traditional. When you are ready to choose timber floors for your home, note a few factors that many homeowners overlook so you can ensure you get the right species, colour, and style for your home.
Hardwood
Hardwood floor slats are a solid piece of real wood; these are usually the most expensive type of timber floor, and the most expensive to install. They offer a natural variation in grain and colour tone, which can be a very attractive look that requires little painting or staining to enhance.
Hardwood needs to be glued or nailed to the subfloor, and this takes some expertise to ensure it's done right. Also, note that hardwood needs to acclimatise or adjust to the space before being installed. An installer will need to leave the hardwood slats at your home for several days if not a few weeks, so they can absorb moisture and then expand and contract as needed. Be sure you understand this potential delay when considering hardwood floors for your home.
Engineered
Engineered timber is a thin layer of hardwood over a more affordable plywood. This gives you the look of the timber species you want, but without the same price tag. However, because the top layer is much thinner than solid hardwood, note that you may not be able to sand it down very often, in order to repair nicks, scratches, and dents, or to add fresh paint or stain. In a home with lots of heavy foot traffic, note the actual depth of the top layer of real hardwood, and choose the thickest layer you can afford, to ensure you can repair it from everyday damage as often as possible before the slats need to be replaced altogether.
Location of species
When choosing a species of hardwood, note the design and colour of the wood, and then also its location. Exotic woods or those that are mostly grown in another country will mean transporting that wood to your location for sale, and this adds to fumes and emissions from delivery trucks, ships, and cargo planes. A more eco-friendly choice is choosing a local species; in North America, that might be oak or pine. In Australia, opt for blackbutt, jarrah, or poplar. Choosing a local species will not only reduce pollution, but may also even more affordable, since there is less transportation costs for those materials.
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