How-To Choose the right wood floor for your home

There is something about a hardwood floor that just adds warmth and beauty to almost any home. It has a special quality that carpet and stone can’t match. Wood flooring has numerous advantages, and there are more choices today than ever before. Wood flooring also offers health benefits. Unlike carpet, wood flooring will not harbor stains or allergens.

There are many things to consider when choosing a wood floor for your home . . . Are you on, above, or below grade level? Do you want a traditional solid hardwood stained to your own custom shade? Perhaps a pre-finished engineered floor. Maybe a non wood – like cork or bamboo. Solid wood flooring still in use today date back to Renaissance Europe. However solid products are very sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity extremes. They can shrink and show gapping in low humidity. Engineered wood flooring is made from a number of ‘plys’ glued in a cross grain pattern, which is by far more stable than a solid product. Engineered flooring is used primarily in the concrete belt, but is gaining popularity all over. Bamboo is not wood, but actually a grass. These products are limited in color and style, but are still fairly popular.

The fastest growing segment of the wood floor industry is distressed or handscraped flooring. Even though this product has been around for quiet a while, it accounted for over half of the wood flooring sales nation wide last year. This product is best for active homes, as it hides the usual wear and tear. Warranties also vary by manufacturer, as do the thickness of the wear layer and type of urethane. The state of the art technology and almost endless choices of today’s stains, finishes, styles, species, and designs make hardwood flooring one of the most practical; floor coverings. Properly maintained, a good hardwood floor should last a lifetime, and never need replacing. Wood flooring will perform best when the interior environment is controlled to a humidity range of 40 to 60 percent, and temperature range of 65 to 80 degrees. Fortunately, that’s the comfort range most of us enjoy.

Wood flooring is suitable for every room in the home, but might not be the best choice for a bathroom or laundry room. It is very important when considering adding wood flooring to your home, to consult a flooring professional. They will help you choose what’s right for you and your home. Don’t buy on price alone. There are a lot of “specials” on the market, and you will get what you pay for. While specials are usually good buys, the quality may be missing. Be aware of what you are buying.

Caring for your new floor is also very easy. Finishes and cleaning products have improved greatly over the years.

Bradenton Hardwood Floors, Inc. 4521 26th Street W. (Park Plaza Shopping Center) Bradenton, FL 

- Wood flooring adds timeless beauty to your home. Wood never goes out of style, and also adds value to your home.

- Wood floors are extremely durable yet very easy to care for. Properly maintained, a good quality hardwood floor will last for generations!

- Have a wood flooring professional assist you in creating the perfect flooring for your home. The choices are almost endless!

- Be aware of what you are buying! Cabin grade, shorts, and, over runs are less desirable than first quality material. In a climate like ours, an engineered floor is the best choice.